Brittle Nickle brass from Starline?

[gofastman]

My recent batch of 1000 Nickle pieces from Starline appears to be brittle.
Quite a few split cases after 1 firing with hot (not nuclear) loads.

anybody else run into this?

[Intercooler]

People shooting some Underwood. Good info it's a Starline issue.

[doverpack12]

Dangit just ordered some Starline nickel from Midway before this last quantity ran out.

[gofastman]

Dangit just ordered some Starline nickel from Midway before this last quantity ran out.

Its still good brass! Its not like every case is splitting, just more than Id like or am used too.

Ill buy it off you if you want

[sqlbullet]

At least it won't be too soft.  That has been a complaint in the past with Starline.

[doverpack12]

Maybe I won't worry as much about the Underwood 200gr XTP split cases then that I had. 

[REDLINE]

Sure would like to know why this seems to be happening with Starline.

Are there other options for 10mm nickel plated brass besides Starline?  If so I'ld like to load up 50 nuclear loads using Starline, and 50 nuclear loads using another...shoot them in the same sitting and see how things compared in the end upon close inspection.

[Patriot]

Remington has made nickel in the past. Double tap has sold tons. Federal used to, don't know if they do anymore. The Federal was never highly rated anyway.

I have read tons of internet posts on this subject, and the general consensus is that nickel is weak, period. In all calibers. 

[gofastman]

I have read tons of internet posts on this subject, and the general consensus is that nickel is weak, period. In all calibers. 

I think that may be the case...

[REDLINE]

I have read tons of internet posts on this subject, and the general consensus is that nickel is weak, period. In all calibers.

The thing that baffles me about that is I've heard others point out the exact opposite from experience that included plenty of nuclear to near nuclear loads.  Something isn't adding up here.

[sqlbullet]

I don't know about "weak".  But I think more brittle may be accurate.

Nickel resist tarnish much better.  That means smoother shooting, especially when using a bolt gun on a big game hunt.  Or so they say.

Of course, the military issues brass, not nickel, and they are an order of magnitude of the scale in the "it has to work right now" category.

[DM1906]

The military using non-nickel brass is purely economical.  Low bidder.  Nickel costs more.  Long term storage is predetermined.  Period.

I've heard the "stories" about nickel over the years.  I say hogwash!  I use nickel almost exclusively, when I have a choice (although my bare brass is still 4:1 to nickel), due to ease of cleaning, visibility of blemishes, and tooling feel.  Case failures are the same, either one.  I "think" the reason for the "high nickel failure" claim is expectation, and value.  It costs more, and is "more purdy", so failures are more often noticed.

I've been using DT 10mm nickel brass for years.  No more, though.  They done pissed me off, and will get no more of my money.  Excellent brass, but I have principals.  Now, if I can only get them to confirm the cancellation of my 7 month old order!

I have a couple thousand or so 10mm Remington (R-P headstamp) brass I'm retiring soon.  It's really good stuff, but 10+ reloads for a "magnum" load is nearing the twilight.  I'm undecided if I'll sell/trade it off, scrap it, or just put it on the shelf for harder times.  I don't do powder puff loads, so there's no lite duty to consider.

[The_Shadow]

Besides the contract cost & specs, Another reason military doesn't use Nickel plated cases, they are very reflective in most lighting conditions!

The plating can pose issues, if it is done improperly it can peal or flake off.  Improper alloys, prep cleaning or application process can all be problematic.  This is usually rare but it can ruin a set of dies, gall up a chamber or jam a firing pin or striker.

I still like quality nickel plated casings for long term storage.

[Intercooler]

Food saver and vacuum bag. 

[sqlbullet]

Food saver and vacuum bag. 

This is actually a really good idea I hadn't thought of.  Of course, I generally store my ammo as brass, primers powder and lead, and assemble as needed.  But if you are stockpiling, this is a good way to go.