Annealing nickel brass

[eagleye]

Are there any special tips for annealing the nickel coated brass?

Thanks, Pete

 

[alf]

Nope, I just watch for the slight change in color, same as regular brass.

Al

 

[CPorter]

Nickel does not anneal at the same temperature as brass, not even close. The recommended temp for brass on 6mmBR.com is 650F. The temperature for nickel & nickel alloys begins at 1382F.

If you anneal the brass you will probably do some stress relief in the nickel. If you anneal the nickel you will ruin the brass.

Looking down the line, I imagine the nickel continues to harden and the modulus of elasticity finally exceeds the bond strength between the nickel and brass and the nickel begins to flake off. Nickel flakes would be a bad thing in the chamber or barrel as they are hard enough to score the steel.

Al, how many times have you reused your nickel plated brass * have you seen any pealing?

 

[eagleye]

This particular set I brass which I pick up at the range has been shot thru 8 times. No flaking, but I went ahead and annealed it before you had posted, the nickel appears to be getting thin. I neck sized it afterwards and could definitely feel a difference, less resistance.

 

[alf]

CPorter,

My usage has been on a limited basis. It was 7 mag nickel brass, once fired, I pick up and sized for one gun, shot a couple times. annealed, and sized, shot and annealed a couple more times for a different gun. I saw no flaking or peeling issues and bullet seating seemed, by feel, more consistant.

Nickel plated brass in the past has been more prone to cracking in the necks from being more "brittle". Annealing should help brass life a bunch in the long run. I'm not sure the annealing temps you talk about are relevant for the thin layer of nickel alloy on rifle brass. I see no difference in annealing either.

Al