Any deficiencies in using Magnum Nickel Brass for reloading hunting ammunition?

Tiff is right, it was to hard to work with. Harder metal, less case stretch. Couldn't tell how weak the case could be. The metal flows away from the head causing case stretch in brass because it's softer. Thats the shiny ring you get around the head after you fire it. Yes they have carbide cutters, inserts, ect. to reload it. But it is hard to tell of the lack of stretch in the nickel to tell when it's safe and when it's not. It usaully happens on case seperation when you find out and then it's to late in most cases. Most folks that do reload with this type are no more than three times at most and then discarded. Brass is easier, simpler, cheaper, and safer to play with. And up to 7 and 8 times to reload in the same lot of brass, using neck sizing dies. And just as many with tight tolorence full length dies.Any deficiencies in using Magnum Nickel Brass for reloading hunting ammunition?
I starred this question because it is a very good question. Some years back, I bought some bulk packed magnum rifle brass from a catalog retailer that was nickel plated. But to date, I have not used any of it.





Let me interject this one little tidbit of reading knowledge. I have an old book, printed in the 1940s, that was at the time, the definitive hardbound reloading manual of its day. In the book, the author goes to great length to describe why it is a BAD IDEA to use any sort of lubricant in the chamber of a bolt action rifle. What he basically states is that the brass cartridge needs to expand and instantly mate-up to the steel chamber. If you use a lubricant in the chamber, this does not occur and it means that the full force of the recoil and expanding cartridge case will be forced to the rear, onto the face of the bolt. After many firings, the bolt will fail (stress fracture of the metal).





So, I am thinking. A material such as nickel plated brass, when used on a magnum action bolt gun may have a similar result. Brass will not properly adhere to the inside of the steel chamber, and the full force of the recoil will be directed back onto the bolt body.





Nickel plated casings have been widely used in pistols and revolvers for decades. Of course, the pressures involved are not that high. And, with a semi-automatic pistol, having the empty case be able to extract from the chamber quickly is a plus. And, with a revolver, again the pressures are not that high as to cause concern.Any deficiencies in using Magnum Nickel Brass for reloading hunting ammunition?
It used to be a no no. May still be. I'm not sure. I think it was because of the nickle content made it very difficult to work with. With the plethora of good brass out there I just never bothered to keep up with it.
Nickel is somewhat harder than brass, so you won't get as many reloads out of it as you will with plain brass. You can expect a few split necks pretty quickly.
If you use standard steel dies, it will wear them out faster. Nearly all dies now have a carbide insert, so it is not a problem.
Not with some care and like the above said with your newer carbide dies.