I've got a bag of 100 new Winchester 357 magnum brass, and about 1/3 of them won't fit into my Lee shell holder!

Anybody else had this issue? I'm assuming that if I introduce these brass to my Dremel, that they'll do what they're told, but I don't want to do any harm to them.

I'm not 100% certain as to what the root issue is, so I'll try to figure that out before I bring out the Dremel...

The lee shell holder is tight in that size,maybe pick up an RCBS piece?

is it winchester or LEE?

I would check to see if the cylinder will close on your revolver if you put an empty case in a chamber. If the rims are too thick like you think, the cylinder will not easily close.

Rim diameter for Winchester cases runs to the high end of the tolerance and Lee's 38/357 shell holder is sized just a touch smaller than the maximum allowable diameter. Add in the normal variation in the rim diameter and the end result is cases that won't fit the Lee shell holder. Been there done that and the solution for me was to purchase a RCBS shell holder, that was a complete and total solution. BTW, it's a problem with both the 38 special and 357 magnum cases made by Winchester and I haven't encountered this particular problem with any other brand I've used. Since I've picked up a fair bi of once fired range brass this means that most of the problem lies at Winchesters feet. However, if Lee were to make their shell holder a bit more tolerant of an oversize rim this wouldn't be a problem.

After some experiences I had with Winchester brass, I refuse to buy any of it. A few years ago, I bought 100 pieces of 7mm STW brass only to find that the case mouths were cut off at an angle and were .035" shorter than that case's trim-to length. After an email and letter-writing campaign, Winchester eventually replaced the brass but with new brass having the exact same defect! When I called that to their attention, they sent me a check for a few bucks and a note saying they no longer offer brass or loaded ammunition in that caliber. Good thing!

Then I bought 100 pieces of new .243 WIN brass that was just as poorly cut but about the same amount too long. It even took my RCBS electric trimmer quite a while to get it usable.

And recently, I bought 100 pieces of .357 Magnum brass to load for a friend. The primer pockets were so tight I had to take a couple of breaks for the pain in my hand to subside. Like I said, if I need brass now and that's all that is available, I do without.

Ed

Send a few pieces of brass and the shell holder to Lee, they will swap out one that works, Be sure to ask them to send you brass back,

It is common with several different calibers. My 223 was like that and the 9mm was too sloppy.

As mentioned try some other brass, if it works than it's a Winchester thing.

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Still Running Against the Wind

It's sad, I remember the days when Winchester ammo and brass were pretty much the best to be had. If it was a caliber I reloaded for I would pay extra for Winchester ammo just for the brass.

Thanks all. My Starline brass is fine, and others too. It's just the Win brass. I found an RCBS shell holder that i'll try.


Sent from my fat fingers using Tapatalk

RCBS shellholder would be the least expensive solution....
Randy

I have an issue with Winchester brass in 9mm. It does not fit the shell holder of my Hornady progressive... They are just too tight, and jam up the operation. I have to cull them out of the mix.

Every other brand works fine, except Blazer 9mm gets cupped after a few reloads, and will no longer fit under the shell holder, too. Aggregating!

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NRA Life Member

I had the same problem with Winchester .257 Rbts. brass and a RCBS shell holder. I just used a different shell holder of the same number. Tolerance stack happens.

Winchester, sold a lot of their properties i.e. powders to Hogdins. When they did they began a move of their brass to Mississippi I believe. At the same time they discontinued some of their stuff as regular production...375 H&H comes to mind. Their quality control over the last couple of years has gone downhill. I've had some minor problems with both 44 special and 41 magnum in RCBS shellholders in my single stage press and in some of the Lee shellholders that I use with my K&M priming tool. Usually turning the brass just a touch will make it go in and work.
I think maybe that when Winchester moved a lot of their union labor didn't go with them and now they may be having trouble with some of the newly trained people they hired locally.

I hate to say it but I too have given up on WW brass. The last few bags of .44 Special brass have been horrible. Ragged case mouths and case lengths all over the place. Last year I went with Star Line brass and am happy with it.

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Stay safe people!

I wanted Starline brass for my new Ruger 44 SPL flattop, but there is a long backorder. I picked up a bag of new Winchester brass at my LGS and an RCBS shell holder. I had trouble with about 10 of the cases, sometimes having to remove the shell holder from the press to get the case out. One case was so far off that I had to use a lot of force to remove it from the holder. That one got crushed, and now I can load 99 rounds before going to the range. They will have to do until I can get the good stuff.


Best,
Rick

Just to 'tie a bow' around this thread, the brass fit in the RCBS shell holder. If I can help it, I'll avoid new WIN brass in the future...

Thanks all!