Nickle Cases less durable

[4thMiss]

After 30 years reloading its obvious to me nickel cases are less durable than brass. I assume the brass is thinner so it can be nickled. The case necks usually split after just a few reloads. Even with light 38 target loads. That being the case why do manufacturers use nickel cased ammo for personal defense rounds almost across the board. I think originally nickled cases came into being for the corrosion resistance for ammo carried in belt loops to stay clean and shinny looking. I wonder if its used now to signify Defense Round.

 

[340six]

I still use nickel brass that is old. so old the plating is wearing off
The new plated stuff is no way no how good.
The new stuff just splits, it does not get pated with the same stuff they use years ago.
I have a friend who is in the plating Biz and used to polish stuff that gets plated

 

[Gator 45/70]

Yeah, They seem brittle compared to brass.

 

[hollowhunter]

I just always thought they came to be in an attempt to create hotter reloads. I don't use them though....

 

[Craig]

I seem to remember the manufacturers saying the nickel makes the cases slicker. Making them less prone to feeding failures. Why have them on revolver ammo, I don't know.

 

[mineralman55]

Don't know why you'd say they're not as good. I use the same .357 nickle cases I bought 25 years ago. Yeah, a few are starting to split now, but I cannot tell you how many times they've been reloaded. I'll get more someday, if they ever become available again.

 

[340six]

Don't know why you'd say they're not as good. I use the same .357 nickle cases I bought 25 years ago. Yeah, a few are starting to split now, but I cannot tell you how many times they've been reloaded. I'll get more someday, if they ever become available again.

Thanks to the EPA the Plating process i does not use the same chemicals they used to

 

[Metryshooter]

Thanks to the EPA the Plating process i does not use the same chemicals they used to

I still use the same batch of once fired nickeled brass I bought years ago. I bought them to shave 9mm down to 9mm Makarov and be a little easier to ID at the range. I'd have to say that each case is easily on it's 9th or 10th loading with not one problem. If anything the biggest problem is finding the brass after it gets launched.

 

[Bayou52]

Don't know why you'd say they're not as good. I use the same .357 nickle cases I bought 25 years ago. Yeah, a few are starting to split now, but I cannot tell you how many times they've been reloaded. I'll get more someday, if they ever become available again.

I, too, use them until they split. For me, that's usually one or more decades for pistol cases. So, I have no issues with nickel cases. I even have a few in 30-06....