On Sat, 12 Aug 2017 16:14:02 GMT, kipp
m wrote:

I want to hang a wood mantle onto a brick fireplace

That is not a "nail" thing. The best chance of not screwing up the
brick any more than necessary, use TapCons with the right bit. Don't
be stingy with the screws. Brick is softer than concrete so go in 1.5'
or so.