Q about 357 case prep vs 38spl

[Alchemist]

I’ve already prepared a lot of once fired 38spl brass and found that I didn’t need to do much trimming at all according to my Lyman and Lee gauges. However, I processed my first bunch of once fired .357 mag brass the other day and practically every case required a very small but noticeable trim according to my (separate) 357 gauges (the Lee and Lyman both agree with each other). It was mostly Blazer ammo but there was a mix for sure.

Is this normal? I take it that going on from this point the brass won’t need much if any trimming after resizing?

I was just curious as to whether the factory loads for .357 stretch the brass more.

 

[Ganderite]

Over the last 60 years of loading I have loaded hundreds of thousands of both calibers.

Most of my brass is range pick-ups.

I have never thought to measure the length of a case and I sure have never trimmed one.

My Colts, Smiths, Rugers, Tauri and Charter Arms have digested the ammo without issue.

Not saying my technique is correct. Just sharing my expereince.

 

[Longwalker]

I have never know anyone who trims or even checks the case length of straight wall pistol cartridges. Case length is not a major concern, based on the geometry of the chambers and the pressures involved.

 

[mmcintyre1220]

Personally I do not even look at case length for 99% of my straight walled pistol cartridges. The exception is 454 casull, 460 sw mag and 500 sw. Those puppies grow and need to be tamed in order to achieve a consistent crimp.

 

[Auggie Doggie]

Agreed. In 36 years I have never trimmed a single round of pistol brass.

Auggie D.

 

[Alchemist]

Ahh. Ok, I was concerned about a consistent crimp plus this is my first time reloading stuff.

 

[billbmcleod]

When i first started reloading 38/357 I did measure and trim the cases. I did this only once as another shooter told me I was wasting my time especially with the 38's as I was shooting from a .357.
As I only load for myself and shoot the 38 brass until it splits I have not had a problem. Some old Dominion brass has been loaded 20+ times and when it fails it is only a few thou longer than spec.
.357 brass does not last as long but I have never had to trim it to seat in the cylinder.

 

[hatman1793]

Trimming 38Special, 357 Magnum brass, 9mm brass, & 45acp brass is a colossal waste of time. Rifle brass might stretch but pistol brass shrinks or splits before it stretches.

 

[VanMan]

I only measure and check the 38sp brass I use for my PPC loads. That was based on the advice from someone who was very experienced and highly successful. (eg <2"groups at 50m from a Ransome Rest). For my PPC loads, I bought a fresh batch of brass, measured them and trimmed them all to the same length. The loads are very low pressure, and so far I have not measured any change over 3-4 reloadings.

For my normal 38sp and 357 loads, I have not bothered as I'm still getting a good roll crimp into the crimp groove. I am starting to want to work on some 125gr H110 loads for my 357. When I do, I'll have a look to see if there is any measurable change in dimensions.

 

[Janeau]

Over the last 60 years of loading I have loaded hundreds of thousands of both calibers.

Most of my brass is range pick-ups.

I have never thought to measure the length of a case and I sure have never trimmed one.

My Colts, Smiths, Rugers, Tauri and Charter Arms have digested the ammo without issue.

Not saying my technique is correct. Just sharing my expereince.

Same here.
Even in my PPC guns - it never made a difference. Nobody trim .357 or .38 special or any semi auto cartridge by the way.
Waste of time and serve no purpose.

If a PPC gun is not shooting 2 inches at 50 yards - don’t bother to show up at a match with it.
The secret of very accurate WC in .38 special is the bullet. Speer lead swaged 148 HBWC were king of the hill. Hornady will do also.

Same with .357 - never - ever trimmed any.

VanMan must be older than me..been at it 50 years..

 

[VanMan]

Same here.
Even in my PPC guns - it never made a difference. Nobody trim .357 or .38 special or any semi auto cartridge by the way.
Waste of time and serve no purpose.

If a PPC gun is not shooting 2 inches at 50 yards - don’t bother to show up at a match with it.
The secret of very accurate WC in .38 special is the bullet. Speer lead swaged 148 HBWC were king of the hill. Hornady will do also.

Same with .357 - never - ever trimmed any.

VanMan must be older than me..been at it 50 years..

I'm no spring chicken, but certainly have not been at this for 50 years lol.

I also realize I won't live long enough to get 50 years of shooting experience, so when a multi year World and Canadian champion offers advice to help me develop PPC loads, I'm going to listen

Had a lot of fun doing the load development and learned a lot!