44-40 White Brass case source

scrubby2009 · March 28, 2018, 09:40:41 AM

Looking for a source for the white brass (nickeled brass?) cases that Winchester used on the 150th Anniversary ammo. I've reloaded the 100 or so cases I have about 3 times now and it seems they hold up very nice. Comparatively, the Starline feels slightly more delicate, easier to deform. Limited run cases? Still available? Any input welcome, still new at the reload game.

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · March 29, 2018, 09:30:13 AM

The coating was meant to foil verdigris on ammo carried in lawmen's beltloops. The only incidental purpose that I see is to differentiate special loads. If you get 3 loads from the nickel cases I can get many more than that from staight brass. Just don't load 'em too hot!

Baltimore Ed · March 29, 2018, 10:51:27 AM

I use brass cases for my .45 LC rifle loads and nickled.45 LC for my pistol loads just so I can tell them apart as my pistols like 200 gr and my Marlin only likes 225 - 250 gr bullets. I've found that nickled brass is more fragile and I usually find at least one split after a match. I've got .45 brass that is so old that the nickle has thinned to the point that they're only nickled at the case head. Nickle will prevent the verdigris from forming on your leather though. Graf or Midway might have what you want.

Coffinmaker · March 30, 2018, 11:11:31 AM

Starline manufactures Nickel'd 44-40 cases and Midway USA carries the Nickel'd 44-40 cases in open stock.

The process of applying the Nickel to the brass cases makes them more brittle, even with annealing. The thinner wall thickness makes these cases more prone to cracking and splitting.

They do look really good in the gunbelt and will resist verdigris.

Bibbyman · March 30, 2018, 11:20:28 AM

Grafs also shows Starline nickel 44WCF in stock.

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/17881

I'll second the notion that the nickel cases seem to split sooner. I have 200 Starline 32WCF nickel cases that I suspect have only been reloaded 4-5 times and I'm getting splits in about one out of ten.

I talked to Starline last fall at their factory in Sedalia Missouri and they said they didn't make or stock nickel cases. If the customer ordered enough nickel cases, they would send them out to be plated.

scrubby2009 · March 30, 2018, 11:22:15 PM

Appreciate the feedback. Personal use testimony means a great deal. I will watch for splits, some of these cases are on their 3rd reload. I don't think I've had a single hang-up or failed extraction, perhaps the slightly brittle or rigid nature of the plating helps with that. I did see that Graf & Sons has the Starline in traditional and "tin star silver". Just got 7 pounds of 2400 to play with so here's to the next chapter in reloading adventures! Funny that my son and I have probably put 250 to 300 rounds through each of these old iron frame '73's this year. Undoubtedly more action than either rifle had seen in the last century! Again, appreciate all the shared knowledge and experience on this forum. It's invaluable.

Cliff Fendley · April 02, 2018, 05:23:40 PM

Three reloads is nothing. The 800 rounds of Starline 44-40 I loaded over the weekend are on their 8th loading.

scrubby2009 · April 02, 2018, 08:50:29 PM

If I may, Cliff, what size bullet are you pressing? I've been using .429 and .430 to ensure a decent seal on my old barrels, softer the lead the better my accuracy. But... lots of handwork, flaring each case by hand with a reamer so that they don't crumple when pressing. Using Lee standard die set with RCBS crimp die. The only "turtles" I've had are when trying to load semi wadcutters, they hang up on the throat of the breech sometimes. so I've stuck to RNFPs from Bear Creek and Xtreme. Sure is fun plinking with my teenager with a pair of '73's for hardly any $ at all. Reloading is good for him too, very calming and requires focus. Great for a 14 year old.

Cliff Fendley · April 02, 2018, 10:07:28 PM

Quote from: scrubby2009 on April 02, 2018, 08:50:29 PM
If I may, Cliff, what size bullet are you pressing? I've been using .429 and .430 to ensure a decent seal on my old barrels, softer the lead the better my accuracy. But... lots of handwork, flaring each case by hand with a reamer so that they don't crumple when pressing. Using Lee standard die set with RCBS crimp die. The only "turtles" I've had are when trying to load semi wadcutters, they hang up on the throat of the breech sometimes. so I've stuck to RNFPs from Bear Creek and Xtreme. Sure is fun plinking with my teenager with a pair of '73's for hardly any $ at all. Reloading is good for him too, very calming and requires focus. Great for a 14 year old.

I use .427, .429 and .430's depending on what guns they will be shot in. RCBS cowboy dies and usually Lee FCD, sometimes a redding roll crimp die. Don't put any more flair than necessary for the bullets to seat.