Starline Nickel Plated 45 Colt Cases?

I don't know, haven't worn out any yet. No reason why they wouldn't, though.

I load cases with heavy loads only about ten times, after that I keep those cases for mild loads. Most cases last me through forty or fifty loadings.

Incidentally, I use my .44 Special and .45 Colt nickeled cases for daily carry in leather cartridge slides.

Bob Wright
 
Theoretically no, but why have nickel in your regular reloading rotation? Mine only serve for contact with leather when needed. Didn't check, but I believe mine cost more than regular brass. What's the plan?
 
You can still compete with brass, because it won't be in the belt long enough to make a mess.

You know, that rig would look really cool with ivory-colored grips...sort of a tuxedo look. Bling bullets and bling gun.:)
 
Actually I got black checkered grips for it so it will match the leather. I think it will be a very nice rig, if I figure out how to post photos I will probably post some pics of it when I get everything.
 
Don't know about you, but I'd use the Nickel .45 Colt cases for above standard pressure loads for a Ruger Redhawk or Blackhawk or a 1892 Lever gun. That way I instantly know it's not meant to be shot in anything else.
 
I've had marvelous luck reloading .45 ACP nickeled cases many, many times...don't know why it wouldn't be the same for .45 Colt.

Good luck.
 
I don't know about Starline specifically but I've been reloading nickel plated and unplated brass interchangeably for over 40 years in many different calibers and I've never noticed a difference in case life other than one batch of Remington .38 brass where the nickel plating started flaking off around the case mouth after a couple reloadings. I tossed those, but have other plated brass that has been reloaded so much the plating has just about worn off. Some claim that the plated cases split sooner. I don't necessarily dispute that but haven't seen it personally.
 
Howdy

Sometimes nickel plated brass tends to split more often than plain brass. This can happen if the plating job has been poorly done. I have never used any Starline plated brass, but I have used tons of their standard brass, and it is top quality, so I suspect their plated brass would also be top quality.

However I must ask, with your black western rig and stainless New Vaquero, do you have any idea how much a gun belt with 25 or so rounds of 45 Colt in the loops weighs? When I started in CAS I kept 25 rounds of 45 Colt rounds loaded with 250 grain bullets in my belt loops. Gave that up pretty early when I realized how much all that lead weighed. Of course, we carry two revolvers in CAS, but even so, putting that many rounds in your belt loops will easily add another pound to the rig.

Wearing two Colts at about 2 1/2 pounds each was plenty for me to carry around all day without the added weight of bullets. These days I only keep a few 44-40 rounds in my belt loops in case I need a reload.
 
Makes no difference one way or the other to case life. Have noticed the nickel coming off though. Plating has nothing whatever to do with being better with hot loads either.
The case mouths will crack before anything else happens.
25 250 grain bullets weighs 6250 grains or 14.3 ounces. Plus the weight of the rest of the cartridge. Got a good belt? snicker.
 
My 45 Colt rig of belt, two holsters, and 25 rounds of 250 gr weighs 2 pounds, 10 and a fraction ounces. I might not carry any more than needed during a match, but looking authentic the rest of the time is part of it too. No experience, since my first match as just a spectator is the end of the month.
 
I doubt that there is any significant difference in longevity but I confess I have never worn out a 45 Colt case so I really can't say for sure.
 
However I must ask, with your black western rig and stainless New Vaquero, do you have any idea how much a gun belt with 25 or so rounds of 45 Colt in the loops weighs? When I started in CAS I kept 25 rounds of 45 Colt rounds loaded with 250 grain bullets in my belt loops. Gave that up pretty early when I realized how much all that lead weighed. Of course, we carry two revolvers in CAS, but even so, putting that many rounds in your belt loops will easily add another pound to the rig.
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Yes I have considered the weight, I also noticed you are a senior member:D I was born on a ranch and am 16, 6' and 172 pounds (and none of it is fat). So yes I can carry a 5 pound rig around day in and day out;)

It will replace my DA .357 as my carry gun.
 
As a matter of interest, some of my first .45 Colt ammunition was REM-UMC balloon head cases that were nickel plated. I reloaded these so many times the nickel plating wore thin giving the cases a sort of "golden look." Kind of handsome, in a way. These were ca. 1954 time period.

Bob Wright


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I love Starline, but I've never had any luck reloading nickel plated brass any more than 2-3 times before they start splitting. Don't bother to even pick them up anymore at the range.
 
I love Starline, but I've never had any luck reloading nickel plated brass any more than 2-3 times before they start splitting. Don't bother to even pick them up anymore at the range.
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It's not clear (to me) whether you have ever reloaded Starline's nickel. Is it theirs that was splitting for you?
 
Yes I have considered the weight, I also noticed you are a senior member I was born on a ranch and am 16, 6' and 172 pounds (and none of it is fat). So yes I can carry a 5 pound rig around day in and day out
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I have traversed many a mile over the hills and far away wearing just such a rig. :)
 
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