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Old 06-04-2017, 01:28 AM
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Default Starline Nickel Plated Brass

What are the pros and cons with Starline's nickel plated brass?

It comes at a premium; is it worth it?

I'm primarily interested in reloading for my revolvers + M1 Carbines.
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Old 06-04-2017, 02:02 AM
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It has the same pros and cons as any other nickel plated brass. If you like nickel, I'd recommend it. Do you have experience with nickel plated brass, or do you need to learn more about it?
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Old 06-04-2017, 03:00 AM
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Default I find nickel...

Starline are sturdy cases and can be a tad harder to work. The nickel plate adds another tad of hardness, but I find the improvement in looks and staying clean and shiny forever to be worth it, especially since Starline cases can last many reloadings,
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Old 06-04-2017, 03:15 AM
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For me nickel case have always been more trouble than they were worth (cost). I don't have any more in my inventory.

They seem more brittle, get scratched, & the plating flakes off.

In the long run my brass cases ended up looking better, & lasting longer, than the nickel cases.

.
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Old 06-04-2017, 03:40 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Goblin View Post
It has the same pros and cons as any other nickel plated brass. If you like nickel, I'd recommend it. Do you have experience with nickel plated brass, or do you need to learn more about it?
I have a few from my Hornady Critical Defense rounds I've shot thru. But nothing extensive.

I've heard they're good with autoloaders but have heard nothing about nickel in revolvers.

Actually this thread has nothing specific to do with Starline. I've just noticed they're extending their nickel plated offerings.

Last edited by jski3; 06-04-2017 at 03:43 AM.
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Old 06-04-2017, 06:52 AM
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many years ago I ordered 500 rounds of Starline nickel 45 acp brass. after looking at a few they had some major quality issues. some of the cases were partially plated and some looked liked they were plated using an eye dropper as there was bubbles on them. I sent a few of them back to Starline and a couple of months later they sent me 100 new cases and the plating was a lot better. I think they changed their process or supplier. from the 500 I probably have about 250 left either to just being lost or splits. the cases that are left have well over 30 loads on them. nickel plated cases are a lot easier to find in the grass also. I like nickel cases as they seem to feed a little better due to the lubricity of the nickel plating. I think that once you get 10 to 15 loads on a case they have paid for themselves so anything over that is just icing on the cake.
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Old 06-04-2017, 07:40 AM
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Nickel plated case life is shorter due to splitting. It doesn't matter who makes them.
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Old 06-04-2017, 08:10 AM
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Default COMPARATIVE THOUGHTS

jski3:

As others have pointed out, nickle cases are more brittle, so when belling the case mouths in reloading, I try to put as little a flare on them as possible. Having done that, I still get some that split full length at every loading just from age.

How long they'll last also has to do with how "hot" you'll load them. Mild velocities will make them last longer.

Upside is that they're easier to spot on the ground, fired from a semi-auto, than brass-brass. I only use nickle .45 ACP, when shooting IPSC with a semi-auto. Several of my shooting friends give me their nickle cases, because of their relatively short life.

If I had to buy cases, I wouldn't get any nickle plated even if they were the same price.

Probably a pretty rare situation, but a rifle I had relined had such a tight chamber, nickle cases even full length sized, wouldn't chamber whereas regular brass would.

Good luck, stay safe when reloading, have a good time!

Hank M.
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Old 06-04-2017, 09:22 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JHB51 View Post
Nickel plated case life is shorter due to splitting. It doesn't matter who makes them.
I'd like to see your data proving that statement. I recently recycled a bunch of .38 special nickel plated cases I received in some commercial reloads purchased in 1972. They had been reloaded enough in the past 45 years that the nickel had become virtually transparent and you could see the brass color underneath it.

Some of them had neck splits over time, but so did some brass cases of the same vintage. I do agree that newer nickel cases require more force at the press. I can't say that I ever had the plating flake off or scratch more than brass.
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Old 06-04-2017, 09:43 AM
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I quit using nickel plated brass in the 1970's.
It's more trouble than it's worth.
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Old 06-04-2017, 05:59 PM
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I have read that nickel's surface acts almost as a lubricant and make the cycling process in autoloaders less problematic. And in revolvers, it makes the spent case less likely to stick in the chamber.

Admittedly, different metals have different surface properties and maybe that gives the edge to nickel?
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Old 06-04-2017, 08:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jski3 View Post
What are the pros and cons with Starline's nickel plated brass?

It comes at a premium; is it worth it?

I'm primarily interested in reloading for my revolvers + M1 Carbines.
Generally you get enough plated cases in defensive ammo that you buy. Those cases work well for ammo that will rarely if ever get fired, yet are exposed to things that would discolor brass and maybe cause sticky extraction. For cases in your reloading rotation you are better off with brass.
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Old 06-04-2017, 08:38 PM
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I'd like to see your data proving that statement. I recently recycled a bunch of .38 special nickel plated cases I received in some commercial reloads purchased in 1972. They had been reloaded enough in the past 45 years that the nickel had become virtually transparent and you could see the brass color underneath it.

Some of them had neck splits over time, but so did some brass cases of the same vintage. I do agree that newer nickel cases require more force at the press. I can't say that I ever had the plating flake off or scratch more than brass.
I can give you my direct experience with Starline's nickel plated 357 Mag brass. I bought 500 of them around 3-4 years ago. I got to around 5 loadings and after shooting them that fifth time, 80% of them had split mouths. My experience with other brands of nickel plated brass manufactured in the 70's and 80's runs along with what you have seen and they last as long as brass cases of the same vintage and I'm still using some of them in fact with dozens of reloadings. But the nickel Starline didn't hold up well at all for me and I will not buy any more in the future either.

Now, Starline's brass (non-nickeled) cases hold up extremely well. I have some brass 357 Mag cases I bought a few years ago also and there are 1 or 2 boxes of them I have run real hard to to see how durable they are and they are around 14-15 loadings on them and are in good shape still.

I think something about Starline's nickel plating process must make their plated brass especially brittle and prone to splitting.
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Old 06-04-2017, 09:33 PM
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It is possible things have changed in 3-4 yrs.
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Old 06-04-2017, 09:46 PM
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Default Since we are getting into this deeper....

During the shortages and .357 cases were very hard to find, Starline finally made a run and I jumped on them. They seemed extra heavy and hard and were extremely difficult to work with. That's the only time I've been disappointed with them.
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Old 06-04-2017, 09:59 PM
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Rumors say that nickel cases can flake and damage dies. I have no personal experience but see no reason to doubt it.
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Old 06-05-2017, 01:51 AM
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If nickel's surface does act as a lubricant then it would seem that the nickel plated cases would be easier on reloading dies. In particular the resizing die.
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Old 06-05-2017, 04:51 AM
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It is possible things have changed in 3-4 yrs.
Good luck with them then. I won't try nickel Starline cases again. Anyways, their brass cases are some quality stuff and hold up really well.
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Old 06-05-2017, 08:09 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MichiganScott View Post
I'd like to see your data proving that statement. I recently recycled a bunch of .38 special nickel plated cases I received in some commercial reloads purchased in 1972. They had been reloaded enough in the past 45 years that the nickel had become virtually transparent and you could see the brass color underneath it.

Some of them had neck splits over time, but so did some brass cases of the same vintage. I do agree that newer nickel cases require more force at the press. I can't say that I ever had the plating flake off or scratch more than brass.
I load my ammo in batches. As I process the split cases go in a coffee can. At the end of that run the can is emptied in to the scrap barrel I cant remember the last time I tossed a brass case away for a split mouth or body. The can is usually all nickel cases. I have tossed some with the plating pealing. There may be a couple left where the plating was so thin it was worn off and then you get one that you cant read the head stamp any more but those are always brass. This I have doing for 45+ years. But to answer your question I have never seen the need to document my scrap.
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Old 06-05-2017, 12:12 PM
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I like to be able to determine what reloads are full bore 357 Magnum vs. a milder "target" load by sight: these Starline cases give me that ability.

In my experience nickel cases are quite durable... And "purty"!

Cheers!
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Old 06-05-2017, 01:21 PM
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I don't know why, but the vast majority of my split cases have been nickle plated. Either they are more britle for some reason, or it's just my luck.
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Old 06-05-2017, 02:25 PM
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I have to snicker at the guys who demand "proof" or "data" as if those who offer personal experience have some ulterior and/or deceptive motive...

Here is what I have witnessed over 28+ years of metallic handgun loading. You will get no data and zero evidence. Disregard all of this post if it suits you.

If the brass is the same headstamp and from the same era, the nickel plated brass will not last as long as the non-nickel brass. You'll either get mouth splits with low pressure stuff or you'll get lengthwise splits in the body of the case in high-pressure rounds.

Which of each? Plenty of mouth splits in 17k psi .38 Special brass, and in my nickel, my most prevalent has been R-P nickel. Excellent brass and not even suggesting that nickel R-P won't last long... merely saying that non-nickel will last LONGER.

High pressure? ATK .327 Federal Magnum, 45k PSI. Federal and Speer, all came from the same place. Lengthwise splits in the body of the case in both nickel and brass, more prevalent in nickel.

The good part of nickel brass? Oh sure, lots of good and I like it. It does not get as dirty as brass does, and cleans up far easier. Can be easier to spot when scattered across your favorite range. Absolutely leans toward assisting all chambering and ejection, whether you are talking semi-auto or revolver, this brass is simply more slippery and the difference is easily detectable when working with any revolver where you do the work, it's not obvious in a pistol where the pistol does that work, but rest assured that the pistol is feeling less resistance in both directions.

If it's a common chambering (.38, .357) I'd probably choose nickel over brass but for sure, I'm not that picky and both are welcome.

If it's a scarce chambering (.32 Long, .327 Federal) and I need the longevity because I don't find the stuff anywhere and I even lose some of what I have... yes, make mine non-nickel because like most handloaders, I am frugal and I want my supply to last.

Feel free to completely disregard the experiences I have had & relayed here, but you'll be wasting breath to convince me that I haven't witnessed these things. Many, many, many times over many years.
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Old 06-05-2017, 08:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JHB51 View Post
Nickel plated case life is shorter due to splitting. It doesn't matter who makes them.
If you turn and lightly chamfer the case mouth, it seems to improve both brass and nickel. Annealing improves the life. Turn one and you can see all the bumps and grooves especially on once fired crimped brass. Hoppes is a good nickel remover on guns and brass, so stay clear.
Nickel plating pleases the eye, but seems to have more issues than its worth for a high volumn reloader

*************Note: This is NOT a Starline bash, please
These guys know brass and their quality reflects just that

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Old 06-05-2017, 09:04 PM
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Quote:
I recently recycled a bunch of .38 special nickel plated cases I received in some commercial reloads purchased in 1972.
The difference is that back then the brass cases were electroplated. Current nickel cases are electroless nickel which seems to make the cases more brittle. I had 2 boxes of nickel RP brass which I got as factory loads in the late 1970's which I loaded until the yellow brass was bleeding thru the nickel and the primer pockets were so loose that you could almost reprime with your thumb. New cases are no longer like that.

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Old 06-05-2017, 09:15 PM
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Originally Posted by mtgianni View Post
Rumors say that nickel cases can flake and damage dies. I have no personal experience but see no reason to doubt it.
Having been reloading nickel plated brass since 1975 or so, I would have to see that myself to believe it. It just gets thinner with use.

I would not be at all surprised to find out Starline has a commercial industrial plater doing the plating for them. Probably a learning curve involved.
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Old 06-05-2017, 10:00 PM
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Originally Posted by dave201 View Post
If you turn and lightly chamfer the case mouth, it seems to improve both brass and nickel. Annealing improves the life. Turn one and you can see all the bumps and grooves especially on once fired crimped brass. Hoppes is a good nickel remover on guns and brass, so stay clear.
Nickel plating pleases the eye, but seems to have more issues than its worth for a high volumn reloader

*************Note: This is NOT a Starline bash, please
These guys know brass and their quality reflects just that
I have a couple thousand if you are volunteering. The few plated cases I come across anymore I pitch. I cant remember the last time I lost a brass case to a split.
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Old 06-06-2017, 12:26 AM
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I have some reloaded ammo with reload dates in the 80's and they are made up with nickel plated cases. I am finding that these tend to split upon firing in more than a few instances.

On the reloading bench, I have had several of my older plated cases split just in the process of belling the case mouth in prep for loading......my thoughts are stay with non-plated stuff and skip the issues. You will get much more firings with plain jane brass for sure.
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Old 06-06-2017, 12:36 AM
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Rumors say that nickel cases can flake and damage dies. I have no personal experience but see no reason to doubt it.
Since most sizing dies these days are available and affordable in carbide, I don't think that's a problem unless, like me, you have some really old dies. I don't think the belling and crimping die put enough force on the cases to worry about.
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Old 06-06-2017, 12:42 AM
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Originally Posted by jski3 View Post
If nickel's surface does act as a lubricant then it would seem that the nickel plated cases would be easier on reloading dies. In particular the resizing die.
But it is harder, which works against any lubricity that nickel might have.
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Old 06-06-2017, 07:06 AM
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In my completely unproveable opinion after years of loading both plain brass and nickle brass I find plain brass easier to work with. I however never toss a case based on its being nickle. I just keep using them until they fail usually with neck splits. I know I have some 45ACP cases from the 50's that just keep on going. I do not buy nickle cases any longer because I do not personally see a benefit warranting the extra cost.
Over the years I think I see a lot of quality variation in brass quality from all manufacturers. Why I have no idea but it seems sometimes the annealing process is sloppy or maybe the bulk supplier of brass did not get the alloy correct. Just load and shoot and toss the bad ones or occassionally toss the bad batch after compaining to the supplier.
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Old 06-06-2017, 08:37 AM
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It has the same pros and cons as any other nickel plated brass. If you like nickel, I'd recommend it. Do you have experience with nickel plated brass, or do you need to learn more about it?
A little easier to clean, less time in the tumbler, reload the same as brass. worth the extra cost ? I don't think so
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Old 06-18-2017, 04:04 AM
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Just got some Starline .357 nickel plated brass. Noticed that the plating is complete, not just the outside but inside the case as well ... i.e., 100% of the case surface.

Question: will this effect the way the case lengthens when shot repeatedly. Will it reduce this effect?
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  #33  
Old 06-18-2017, 10:47 AM
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I LOVE nickel brass from all manufacturers, always have. I have been loading nickel plated brass since the late 70s.

I do not care that nickel plated brass does not last as long a unplated brass. I have jars and bins of it waiting to be loaded and 5 gallon buckets of it waiting to be tumbled. Thanks to FAM I have a almost lifetime supply of nickel 357SIG






Nickel plated brass allows me EASY identification of my brass from most everyone else's brass on the range floor. That alone is worth it to me. I do not want to be picking up brass from someone's gunshow reloads.

I also think nickel plated brass looks better as loaded ammunition.

The only two calibers that I have in nickel from Starline are 45LC and 500 S&W Magnum. I have not seen any difference in Starline nickel performance or quality from anyone other brand.
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Old 06-18-2017, 12:04 PM
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Nickel cases serves two purposes for me. I can find the semi auto cases in the grass easier, and nickel cases do not tend to turn green in belt loops on revolver cartridges.
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