357 case life

[eroc1l]

Realistically how many times do you think you can reload 357 cases safely firing in a revolver using 125g with min or starting charges of w231.

 

[Grizzlypeg]

Not sure if this helps, but loading 38 spl cases with w231, I was probably getting 10-20 reloads before cracks started to appear lengthwise down the from the mouth of the case. So I'm thinking the less you have to crimp them the better life.

 

[misfire]

I reload .357 cases until I see a split/crack in the case. This split/crack is usually at the mouth like Grizzlypeg says. Some of my .357 cases are on their 12th time through.....FWIW, I use a 125g jacketed bullet with 6.7g of Tightgroup.

 

[rick357]

I reload .357 cases until I see a split/crack in the case. This split/crack is usually at the mouth like Grizzlypeg says. Some of my .357 cases are on their 12th time through.....FWIW, I use a 125g jacketed bullet with 6.7g of Tightgroup.

With this powder/bullet combo, how does it feel? Is it on the 357 Mag side or more liek a 38sp. Just working on doing the same but my wife likes them light and I like them with a good bank and a bit of a buck.
Rick

 

[ben hunchak]

On light loads like you mention, it is the constant belling, crimping, resizing, that will take the most toll and limit case life to 20 or so loadings, average. Annealing may help mitigate against the cases splitting starting at the case mouth.

 

[Etter]

Rick, If Momma likes light loads just crank out some 38Spl target loads & keep the "hammers" for yourself.

 

[misfire]

With this powder/bullet combo, how does it feel? Is it on the 357 Mag side or more liek a 38sp. Just working on doing the same but my wife likes them light and I like them with a good bank and a bit of a buck.
Rick

It's more like a .38 +P. Relatively soft shooting load for .357 Magnum. I doesn't sound like a .38 though.