Posted by VarmintGuy on February 13, 1999 at 14:01:44:
In Reply to: nickel or brass posted by shaner on February 13, 1999 at 08:05:36:
shaner: I use nickel plated brass in about 6 of my Varminters and in 3 of my Big Game rifles. I love the stuff. I have used it for at least 15 years and if anything I find it lasts longer than plain brass. NONE of my nickel plated brass show any scratches of any kind or any depth on them! I have no problems fireforming the nickel plated brass to any of my chambers. I do not use nickel plated brass in my 6mm AI though so can not comment on that one.
The reasons I use nickel plated brass though are: 1. They are MUCH easier to find in the field than regular brass after being ejected. 2. The nickel brass uses less lube and are much easier to clean after sizing. 3. In my experience the nickel plated brass last longer. 4. The nickel plated brass need to be tumbled less often than regular brass. 5. The use of nickel plated brass gives me positive control of my brass keeping it dedicated to the specific rifle I prepared it for. I have many calibers that I have more than one rifle for. So I have one rifle using regular brass and one using nickel and can easily keep the brass seperated and dedicated. 6. I like the looks of the nickel plated brass cartridges.
Every time this question comes up on this and other boards I marvel at the difference in opinions and experiences with nickel plated brass. I like it. I use it. But I usually start with regular brass for Varminting then if I obtain another rifle in the same caliber I obtain the nickel stuff. Then when I get a third rifle in a caliber I really like (223 Rem., 22-250 Rem., 243 Win. etc.) I get a different brand of brass and that keeps the brass dedicated amongst the 3.
Thrown into our discussion here I will add this "rumor" - I was told once by a slam banging Varminter that nickel brass works through his action more reliably than regular and of course he also found that nickel brass is lots easier to find in the grass and sagebrush than is regular brass. I have no personal experience with the semi-autos myself though. Good luck with whichever you choose.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy