IMI brass

[reomack]

Funny problem using IMI 357 mag brass. Reloading a lot of mixed headstamp brass. No problems with any of it except the IMI, which bulged under the bullet and would not seat in the chamber. The revolver is an S&W Combat Magnum which is little used and the brass was all once fired. I'm using Hornady carbide dies and I have triple checked the set up. All brass was cleaned and checked for length. I am crimping the brass but only slightly. The question is whether IMI brass is weaker or softer than that from other sources? I pulled the bullets and reprocessed the stuff with the same results. Depending on what I learn here I will sort it out and throw it away or perhaps change my methods. I am using a Lee turret type press. I wondered about the bullets which I cast using a Lee tumble lube mold. They are semi wadcutter 158 gr. I miked them and they measure .357! Comments?

 

[reomack]

OK, I think I know what the problem was and it was NOT the brass. I have a new set of Hornady dies and I was depending on the bullet seating die to line the bullet up with the casing. It was not doing so. I have to be very careful when placing the bullet before seating and if I am, then there is no problem. So if you have any IMI brass in 357, don't throw it away, just be smarter than I was when using it.