If there's one thing that firearm enthusiasts are serious about, it's their ammunition. That's why it's no surprise that so many of those enthusiasts reload their own ammunition. If you plan to load your own ammunition, you'll need to start by ordering casings. When you get ready to do so, you'll find that you can choose between brass and nickel-plated casings. Understanding the difference between the two can help you make the choice that's right for your application. Here are a few things that you should know about the difference between straight brass and nickel-plated brass casings.
Is There A Cost Difference?
One of the most apparent differences between brass and nickel-plated casings is the price. You'll find that, when you compare the two, the price of nickel-plated casings is markedly higher than that of the standard brass casings. This stands to reason since nickel-plated casings are treated with nickel alloy plating. This requires additional labor and materials, which increases the cost of production. When the cost of production increases, that results in increasing the cost to the consumer as well.
Is There A Lifespan Difference?
When you're comparing the pricing and seeing the increased price for nickel-plated brass casings, you might wonder if it's really worth the price difference. The truth is that nickel-plated brass casings may last longer in some applications.
The nickel plating protects the brass from tarnishing, which can happen fairly easily with traditional brass casings. However, the plating can wear off in the barrel of the gun, which will then need to be cleaned out thoroughly. The nickel plating can be challenging to remove from those surfaces, so you'll have to decide if the ammunition lifespan improvement is worth the added labor to maintain your weapon.
Is There A Performance Difference?
The performance differences between nickel-plated brass casings and traditional brass casings may leave you leaning toward the traditional variety. There's some inconsistency in the weight of nickel-plated casings because of the variation in the thickness of the plating and the alloy. This can affect your final round weight and also may affect the weight of the gunpowder load required.
In addition, this volume issue may also affect the performance of the bullet in a high-pressure firearm situation. You may find that bullet travel and accuracy are both affected. It's beneficial for you to stick with traditional brass when consistency and performance are a concern.
Talk with a local brass supplier today for more information and to get the casings that you need for your ammunition—including 9mm brass.
