Reloading with nickel plated .308 Brass

[Sim G]

Back in the practical pistol days, once ammo was loaded and put into boxes, we used to just drag a marker pen over the bases. I shot with six other blokes regularly and we all had a different way of marking our brass on the base.

That said I do have a load of nickel plated brass that I only use in one rifle. Not had any major issues.

[ovenpaa]

Right, I am now in a position to report back.The once fired Federal Nickel plated brass I have here is not suitable for reloading.

Nasty stuff, endof.

[Sim G]

That's no report! Why is it not suitable?

[ovenpaa]

The cases were Federal .308 Nickel once fired through one or more Accuracy International rifles and as a consequence they needed full length sizing to fit the SSG chamber I wanted to use them with. My preference is a National Match FLS as it brings everything down to bottom end of specification. I sized half a dozen cleaned cases using Imperial Sizing Wax (ISW) and noticed the case mouth was flaring out very slightly which does happen sometimes so I decided to pass a mandrel through the case neck and then neck size. This does work the brass a bit more however they were only once fired so I expected them to be OK.

I build my own mandrels so I know they are too size and of a good quality, I gave the inside of the neck of the first case a wipe of ISW and passed the mandrel through. The case neck and shoulder buckled. So I tested with a second and it did the same. With a lot of care I managed to get one opened up and passed it through the neck sizer with virtually no resistance. I checked the bushing and it was correct so I test seated a bullet and it was bloody tight.

An hours work had returned me maybe half a dozen cases that were usable however the neck tension is excessive and I am not happy with the results. If I am to use the Nickel plated brass I certainly need to look at my brass preparation process as it currently does not work for me with this batch of brass. I have not given up on the idea and will anneal the necks of some of the cases when I get a moment and experiment further.

[Laurie]

Interesting. Over-tight neck tension was what I found in my sole foray with these cases in a rifle as I reported in one of the early posts on this thread. Whilst once-fired revolver cases split and scratched dies with flaking, a bunch of Federal .260 Rem plated cases that came with a rifle and had been used in it throughout had so much tension after sizing in a standard Redding FL sizer that bullet necks were badly 'ringed' by the seating stem on trying to seat them. I'd initially assumed the die was at fault, but neck tension was actually on the light side for this type of die with unplated brass. I've since heard of this happening a few times and you're the latest, but have applied more effort and tools to try and overcome it. I wonder how many people just ignore it and force the bullet into the neck come what may irrespective of damage?

Anybody want some pretty, little used nickel plated Fed .260R cases free? I've still got them somewhere!

[waterford103]

Interesting. Over-tight neck tension was what I found in my sole foray with these cases in a rifle as I reported in one of the early posts on this thread. Whilst once-fired revolver cases split and scratched dies with flaking, a bunch of Federal .260 Rem plated cases that came with a rifle and had been used in it throughout had so much tension after sizing in a standard Redding FL sizer that bullet necks were badly 'ringed' by the seating stem on trying to seat them. I'd initially assumed the die was at fault, but neck tension was actually on the light side for this type of die with unplated brass. I've since heard of this happening a few times and you're the latest, but have applied more effort and tools to try and overcome it. I wonder how many people just ignore it and force the bullet into the neck come what may irrespective of damage?

Anybody want some pretty, little used nickel plated Fed .260R cases free? I've still got them somewhere!

Yes please - I have no problems at all with the nikel cases I have , tell me what the postage is .

[Laurie]

waterford103 - I'll see if I can find them and will PM you.

[Maggot]

waterford103 - I'll see if I can find them and will PM you.

Laurie....

Sorry to hijack this mate but I am a collector of cases and would love a couple if that's OK and waterford dont mind?

I will be at Diggle on 22/23 for the first league shoot.

This is a calibre/chambering I dont have, but no worries if not

[Maggot]

The cases were Federal .308 Nickel once fired through one or more Accuracy International rifles and as a consequence they needed full length sizing to fit the SSG chamber I wanted to use them with. My preference is a National Match FLS as it brings everything down to bottom end of specification. I sized half a dozen cleaned cases using Imperial Sizing Wax (ISW) and noticed the case mouth was flaring out very slightly which does happen sometimes so I decided to pass a mandrel through the case neck and then neck size. This does work the brass a bit more however they were only once fired so I expected them to be OK.

I build my own mandrels so I know they are too size and of a good quality, I gave the inside of the neck of the first case a wipe of ISW and passed the mandrel through. The case neck and shoulder buckled. So I tested with a second and it did the same. With a lot of care I managed to get one opened up and passed it through the neck sizer with virtually no resistance. I checked the bushing and it was correct so I test seated a bullet and it was bloody tight.

An hours work had returned me maybe half a dozen cases that were usable however the neck tension is excessive and I am not happy with the results. If I am to use the Nickel plated brass I certainly need to look at my brass preparation process as it currently does not work for me with this batch of brass. I have not given up on the idea and will anneal the necks of some of the cases when I get a moment and experiment further.

Oh for Pete's sake.....

I will chuck a hundred brass fed in the washing machine....