Reloading .357

FirstHussar

FirstHussar

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Hi.

I recently started reloading for this calibre. I initially loaded 50 up using .357 remington cases. After re-sizing, priming and loading, they fit into the chambers perfectly. I then used Winchester cases. about a 1/3 of what I loaded are tight in the chamber, and 1 or 2 won't go in at all. I measured them out, used a light crimp, everything I did for the Remington cases, but this was the result. Does anyone have any experience with Winchester brass? It almost seems like they expand back out after the projectile is loaded. Anyone else had these problems? Am I doing something wrong? I read 2 loading manuals cover to cover and did all sorts of surfing before I started, but I con't figure out what went wrong. Is Winchester brass just no good for reloading?

Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks

1H
 
howdy; All brass is reloadable if you know how . all my calibers are winchester brass , just worked out that way . I have a LEE factory crimp die that I run my 357 loaded round through if there is a problem.
Over crimping can bluge the case ,under crimping leaves a flare that can catch .or haveing the bullet seating die set too deep will bulge the case .
Try loading the case ,seating the bullet without crimping than reset the die to crimp and back out the seater plug this may tell you if there is a seating promblem.
 
The only things I can think of to check is see if your sizing die is set as low as it will go and check the length of the Winchester cases. I had some Winchester 38 Spl cases that had a wicked factory crimp on them so they ended up longer than the maximum length allowed in the reloading manual. I had to trim them back then they were fine. You could also try a few resized only Winchester case in your gun to see if they fit before you seat the bullets.
 
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You could also try a few resized only Winchester case in your gun to see if they fit before you seat the bullets.
Click to expand...
That will be a good test.
I generally prefer Winchester brass over Remington, that should not be the source of the problem. Are you using new brass in both Rem and Win? Are you seating the same bullet in both cases? Is the crimp adjustment the same for both cases? This could be a real stumpper.
 
Same type of projectiles in the cases. I played around with the crimp adjustment after the cases wouldn't fit. Using the same crimp on 10 cases, 6 fit snugly, 2 very tight, and two will not go in more than halfway. Loaded up the rest of my remington brass, and eureka! Perfect fit every time. I'm completely lost on this one. I guess the easy answer is, use the Remmys every time. Crazy.

Thanks for the tips, gents.
 
Unless you're loading hot ammo you can leave the crimping out altogether. You don't really need it.
"...will not go in more than..." That's a sizing thing. The cases aren't being sized over the whole length of the case.
 
Update

I pushed the bullets further into the winchester cases and applied a heavier crimp around the crimp grooves. Viola. Took them out to the range on Sat, not one misfire. All 200 that I loaded up were good. Can't wait to try the next batch.
 
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