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Devon Rookie Member
Joined: Dec 08, 2007 Posts: 12
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Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:12 am Post subject: Nickel cases |
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Hi folks
I've got a Howa in .308. When getting the last batch of supplies, I was offered a bag of Nickel Cases at a bargain price. I've loaded them up and the Howa doesn't like them. For some reason, it prefers Lapua brass. I hear that benchrest shooters like them.
Can anyone tell me what nickel cases are recommended for?
Cheers
D
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Pumpkinslinger Super Member
Joined: Sep 22, 2007 Posts: 5003 Location: NC foothills
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Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:51 am Post subject: Re: Nickel cases |
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I think the nickel is intended to prevent corrosion, and possibly look cool. I have some for .357 Mag and .280 Rem. So far I haven't noticed any difference in performance or accuracy but, in the .357, the nickel cases haven't lasted as many loadings as the plain brass. They seem to be more brittle and I have had some split on firing. This could be that my dies are overworking them though. My .280 nickeled has been fired 3 times so far with no problem.
_________________ Mike
"I ain't no better than anybody else, and there ain't nobody better than me!" Ma Kettle |
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Bushmaster Super Member
Joined: Jun 12, 2005 Posts: 11395 Location: Ava, Missouri
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Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:42 am Post subject: Re: Nickel cases |
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Corrosion is correct. Nickel plated cases came out for law enforcment years ago when they were using revolvers and carried ammunition in leather belt loops. The tanning acid used in leather will create a green slim (can't remember what it's called) on plain brass cases. Now the nickel cases are produced for the same reason and to aid in less corrosion when hunting in inclimate weather and for selfdefence rounds that stay in the chambers for long periods of time. They also tend to extract easier then plain brass. A lot of high preformance rounds are in nickel brass (mostly hunting and defence). I still carry ammunition in leather belt loops for both my revolvers (SAA mostly) and rifles. I get almost as many loadings from them as my brass cases. Maybe one or two less.
_________________ I have one nerve left and yer standin' on it...
DEMOCRACY Two wolves and one sheep voting on what to have for lunch...
LIBERTY A well armed sheep contesting the outcome of the vote... |
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Devon Rookie Member
Joined: Dec 08, 2007 Posts: 12
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Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 11:27 am Post subject: Re: Nickel cases |
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Thanks folks
What I might do is go through the whole case preperation sequence again and see if they get any better.
Many thanks
D
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Morax Super Member
Joined: Dec 18, 2006 Posts: 618 Location: Pittsburgh Pa
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Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 3:11 pm Post subject: Re: Nickel cases |
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Bushmaster wrote: |
Corrosion is correct. Nickel plated cases came out for law enforcment years ago when they were using revolvers and carried ammunition in leather belt loops. The tanning acid used in leather will create a green slim (can't remember what it's called) on plain brass cases. Now the nickel cases are produced for the same reason and to aid in less corrosion when hunting in inclimate weather and for selfdefence rounds that stay in the chambers for long periods of time. They also tend to extract easier then plain brass. A lot of high preformance rounds are in nickel brass (mostly hunting and defence). I still carry ammunition in leather belt loops for both my revolvers (SAA mostly) and rifles. I get almost as many loadings from them as my brass cases. Maybe one or two less. |
i got the green corrosion from using a elastic shell holder it got a bit of sweat on it and the shells went green!!
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Bushmaster Super Member
Joined: Jun 12, 2005 Posts: 11395 Location: Ava, Missouri
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Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 4:02 pm Post subject: Re: Nickel cases |
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Same thing, Morax...Acids in your sweat...
_________________ I have one nerve left and yer standin' on it...
DEMOCRACY Two wolves and one sheep voting on what to have for lunch...
LIBERTY A well armed sheep contesting the outcome of the vote... |
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Dimitri Super Member
Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5948
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Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 4:35 pm Post subject: Re: Nickel cases |
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Copper/Brass corrosion if you want to see just how green it can go look at the Canadian Parliament buildings, the roofs are copper.
Dimitri
_________________ A thousand hills, but no birds in flight, ten thousand paths, with no people's tracks. A lonely boat, a straw-hatted old man, fishing alone in the cold river snow. |
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PaulS Super Member
Joined: Feb 18, 2006 Posts: 4330 Location: South-Eastern Washington - the State
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Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:29 am Post subject: Re: Nickel cases |
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I tried the nickel cases when Speer "Lawman" ammo came out. The were real bad about splitting at the necks. Some would split after the first reloading and some lasted three. I use only the brass cases now and I can load then more than 10 times.
_________________ Paul
__________________
Speer, Lyman, Hodgdon, Sierra, and Hornady = reliable loading data
So and So's pages on the internet = NOT reliable loading data
Always check data against manuals
NEVER exceed maximum listed loads |
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SingleShotLover Super Member
Joined: Dec 26, 2007 Posts: 1005 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:41 am Post subject: Re: Nickel cases |
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I usually use nickel cases to keep loads for different rifles or handguns in the same caliber separate. It's a quick check and prevents frustration. Honestly, I can't tell any difference in accuracy, ease of sizing (other than one lot of .44 Magnum brass) or durability...but they do clean up nice!
_________________ If you can't hit it with one, you probably can't with two either!
The biggest problem with a closed mind is that it never seems to come with a closed mouth.
SSL |
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