Nickel plated brass, worth reloading?

[wanneroo]

I bought a bunch of range brass and some of it has what looks to be nickel plated cases. So far I have been throwing them out. Any point in keeping and reloading them? Any issues with reloading them compared to regular brass?

[psucivil]

No issue whatsoever with reloading them. I get some in the mixed brass that I purchase from time to time (45 acp and 9mm). You may see that they will split after fewer reloadings than standard brass but your experience may vary with caliber.

[Steve in PA]

Why would there be an issue?

[IronButt]

I find that they may be a little more brittle, but they reload fine. You just may not get as many reloads out of them.

[wanneroo]

Why would there be an issue?

I don't know, because I don't know a thing about nickel brass. Wanted to ask first before I got a surprise I might not have been expecting.

[dkf]

Reload them. Plain ole brass is more forgiving and tends to last longer before splitting however you can get a lot of reloads out of nickel plated brass.

Only time I have run into a problem with reloading nickel brass was with .380 and longer 115gr bullets. The long bullet got deep into the thicker part of the case and the nickel brass was not forgiving enough in that case.(bullet and case would deform) Not something you run into too often though.

[Grey Bearded One]

I don't know, because I don't know a thing about nickel brass. Wanted to ask first before I got a surprise I might not have been expecting.

Shouldn't you have asked before you threw them out?

[wanneroo]

Shouldn't you have asked before you threw them out?

I still have a lot of brass to sort through, only getting started. The other ones are in the recycle bucket. I can dig them out.

[762xIan]

Some folks will swear up and down the plating will wear off and and make your reloading dies explode as soon as you pull the handle.

I have several batches of plated in 9mm and .45 that I use exclusively for my self defense loads, helps me identify them and keep them seperate. After quite a few loadings there are a few that have some of the plating worn off a little (usually up by the neck), but absolutely no issues otherwise.

Hmmm....wonder if it is the same people who tell me I shouldn't make my own carry ammo that came up with that?

[Don Quixote]

i always wondered why manufacturers bother to plate the brass. Seem like an added expense with no corresponding benefit.

Anyone know? Bueller? Anyone?