Nickel brass and hand trimmers

[Adam0321/0306]

So here is my question/dilemma. I have a friend who shoots a 28 Nosler. First off, I hate reloading this caliber. Seems like nothing works for it. Loading blocks are too small, hand priming tool is too small, and, I am having a very hard time trimming it. I am using an LE Wilson hand trimmer with the steel cutter. When I trim the brass (Hornady) I am having to exert a great deal of pressure to get anything trimmed. Like placing the trimmer handle in the palm of my hand and getting my shoulder behind it just to take of 2-3 thousands. I have no problem with this trimmer cutting any of my .308, .257, and .223 cases. I looked at the space where a .285 case would contact the cutter and I can feel it is worn down. The only other saves I trimmed in that .284 size were my 280 Remington cases that are nickel. So, is it likely that I damaged to dulled my cutter trimming nickel cases?

Thank you.

 

[bozo699]

I have nothing good to say about nickel cases!… they scratch your dies, as you have found out they dull trimmers, cost more and last no longer than anything else yet people defend them on here all the time.
Wayne

 

[snert]

^^^^^ yep

 

[Adam0321/0306]

Thank you. That is the only thing I can think of that would have dulled my trimmer.

 

[Straightshooter1]

So here is my question/dilemma. I have a friend who shoots a 28 Nosler. First off, I hate reloading this caliber. Seems like nothing works for it. Loading blocks are too small, hand priming tool is too small, and, I am having a very hard time trimming it. I am using an LE Wilson hand trimmer with the steel cutter. When I trim the brass (Hornady) I am having to exert a great deal of pressure to get anything trimmed. Like placing the trimmer handle in the palm of my hand and getting my shoulder behind it just to take of 2-3 thousands. I have no problem with this trimmer cutting any of my .308, .257, and .223 cases. I looked at the space where a .285 case would contact the cutter and I can feel it is worn down. The only other saves I trimmed in that .284 size were my 280 Remington cases that are nickel. So, is it likely that I damaged to dulled my cutter trimming nickel cases?

Thank you.

When I had my LE Wilson hand trimmer, I replaced the steel cutter with a carbide cutter and never had a problem with the nickle plating . . . not even when I turned the necks of nickle plated cases. These with 4 firings:

 

[Adam0321/0306]

When I had my LE Wilson hand trimmer, I replaced the steel cutter with a carbide cutter and never had a problem with the nickle plating . . . not even when I turned the necks of nickle plated cases. These with 4 firings:

View attachment 1565191

Thank you. But the nickel would have most likely dulled the steel cutter?

 

[Straightshooter1]

Thank you. But the nickel would have most likely dulled the steel cutter?

Nickel is definatly harder and more brittle than brass. So, yes . . . it will tend to dull a steel cutter more than brass does.

 

[Adam0321/0306]

Nickel is definatly harder and more brittle than brass. So, yes . . . it will tend to dull a steel cutter more than brass does.

Thank you. It seemed to have dulled it very quickly. The good news, I got so frustrated with it last night, I ordered a Giruad.

 

[bozo699]

Thank you. It seemed to have dulled it very quickly. The good news, I got so frustrated with it last night, I ordered a Giruad.

It will dull it too!… do yourself a favor and throw or give that brass away and buy regular brass.
Wayne

 

[Adam0321/0306]

It will dull it too!… do yourself a favor and throw or give that brass away and buy regular brass.
Wayne

Oh, I have. I am probably selling the 280 as I never shoot it. Like 50 rounds in 20 years never, and that was the only gun I had nickel brass for.

 

[Walt Krafft]

50 rounds in 20 years? Why the heck bother reloading????

 

[misser]

why nickel ?? because nickel does not react to the acid that's in leather . there was a time when extra cartridges were carried in leather belts brass would turn green .

 

[Murray Brook]

Used nickel brass in my 7/08. Got some flakes in my sizing die and had a real tough time getting it out. Then used nickel brass in my 270 Weatherby mag. After 2 sizing's I noticed some of the nickel bunching up in front of the belt making chambering very hard. Agree with Wayne. I got rid of all of it and went back to standard brass

 

[searcher]

Thank you. But the nickel would have most likely dulled the steel cutter?

absolutely