Originally Posted by cds43016

I load my 686 with 4.3 grains of 231, Starline Brass, 158 SNS SWC Coated Bullet (.358) at an OAL of 1.610. I use LEE dies. This is a very accurate and mild load.

Starline brass for the first load is stiff mainly on belling the case mouth. I make sure before I load them the first time I lightly chamfer the case mouth and run them through my media tumbler with used media to dirty them up a bit. I think the brass is just too clean. This seems to help but still bit stiffer than once they are fired the first time but it’s doable. No problems after that. The inside of the case after the first firing is nice and black and acts as a lube for belling. Bullets are not shaved.

I can get a lot of reloads from my Starline Brass. It’s good stuff.