Just Primed 300 Cases

[The Earl o Sammich]

....of 10mm auto while watching the NHL Playoffs.  Got another 300+ cases ready for tomorrow night.  I was down to about 200 rounds and knew I had to get to it.  One thing I noticed is I could tell the difference between the nickel plated cases and the brass just by feel.   I did that Star Line Group buy a couple years back.   I deprimed, cleaned (wet with pins) and toss them into a couple of coffee cans.  Nickel is definitely smoother.  Smoother would have less grip on the chamber walls,  I would think.  More reverse pressure on the action?

[Kenk]

I?ve always liked the nickel plated cases, not that they are necessarily any better

[The Earl o Sammich]

They are easier to find in the grass and gravel.

[The Earl o Sammich]

Does anyone think that the smoother, slicker nickel plated case would put more stress on the pistol versus the brass case which feel a tad more, not so slick?   I can put my hand it the can to pull out a case and tell with the feel from the tips of my fingers whether is nickel or brass without even seeing it.. 

[Kenk]

For sure, I shoot at my friends farm a lot in the warm months, much easier to find than the brass cases.

[The Earl o Sammich]

OK, 638 cases of brass ready for powder dump.  2/3 ? 5/8 ? rnds nickel plated, Most once fired.  Some on their 3rd go around.   Using V V 3 N 38 as that is what I had in the hopper (loading for some sub sonic 450 Bushmaster).  Going to load some (200) Winchester 155 grn. Silvertip HP.   Looking to push them up to 1400 fps.   Favorite is my 165 Sierra JHP pushed close to that as well.

[tommac919]

I?ve always liked the nickel plated cases, not that they are necessarily any better

Yes so do I....BUT, have always found nickel plated tend to be more brittle.
Brittle = less reloads before a crack

[sqlbullet]

Does anyone think that the smoother, slicker nickel plated case would put more stress on the pistol versus the brass case ...

I have no empirical data to cite, but no, I don't think it matters.  If it did, we would see warnings from gun makers about using nickel plated cases.

Further, while I am sure in the absolute sense it provides less friction, case wall to chamber friction is not a factor engineers consider when designing the action.  The purpose of the case flexing is to seal the back of the action.  It is the job of the locking lugs to keep the action closed.  The steel those lugs are made of is  around 12,000,000 PSI shear strength give or take depending on the steel.

[Graybeard]

Does anyone think that the smoother, slicker nickel plated case would put more stress on the pistol versus the brass case ...

I have no empirical data to cite, but no, I don't think it matters.  If it did, we would see warnings from gun makers about using nickel plated cases.

Further, while I am sure in the absolute sense it provides less friction, case wall to chamber friction is not a factor engineers consider when designing the action.  The purpose of the case flexing is to seal the back of the action.  It is the job of the locking lugs to keep the action closed.  The steel those lugs are made of is  around 12,000,000 PSI shear strength give or take depending on the steel.

I'd have to agree that there really isn't much difference. It's probably similar to the difference between the friction of freshly tumbled cases and ammo that's sat for a few years and slightly tarnished.

The only instance I can think of where case wall to chamber friction was factored in by the designers is the FN 5.7 and they're pretty clear about the purpose for the coating on that ammo.

I can't think of a single instance of a manufacturer warning against the use of nickel plated ammo.

[Kenk]

Hence one of the reason I haven?t attempted reloading the 5.7

[The Earl o Sammich]

I agree it may be perhaps more "brittle" and tend to flake if not plated well.   It is a  tad stronger and in the 10mm Auto that is a good thing, I believe, especially at the base/Head. 

Thanks for your input there sqlbullet.  I have used nickel plated in CMP/NRA High Power Rifle Matches,  mainly for reliability in rapid fire. 

[The_Shadow]

Yes some newer nickel cases have plating flake off and seem to split at times as stated.
Advantage is corrosion resistant for harsh environments and long term as such.  Yes the nickel is slicker for feeding and extraction and may have better reliability as such.
I do Like nickel cases but have had some steel sizing dies get messed up during the sizing process with 357 and 44 years ago.  CARBIDE dies are your friend here.