357 magum reloading

[kd5exp]

I have wanted to start reloading for my pistol and now that a few of my friends are shootin I have started to give it a try. I have reloaded lots of different rifles but pistol is a little different. I have an RCBS 3 die set and have followed the instructions setting it up. I get a bulge in the brass when I seat the bullet. Still shoots with no hang ups buts looks bad. I have watched you tube about reloading but have not seen this problem. I am trying to upload a pic of the bullets. Thanks for any help you might have. We have no gunsmiths or roloading store here any more. Last one passed away couple years ago ( Charlie Adamsom ) so it's hard to find help.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I was going to say it's because you are using carbide dies but something looks VERY wrong there. Either the bullets are not .357" or your dies are very out of spec. They don't look out of shape at the base so I would imagine the bullets are to blame.

That looks a lot what I would think loading a .429" for .44 magnum into a .41 magnum case.

 

[SonnyCrockett]

that pic of those 357s are NOT RIGHT.....Are you sure u have the right size bullets for that brass?

I reload pistol and mag all the time,and I have never seen that

 

[novalty]

I am surprised they would even feed. Looks like the bullets are too large for the casing. That or you sized the 357 Mag. brass in a 327 Federal Mag die.

 

[mikld]

Some of those look like they are seated crooked, exaggerating the "buldge". Also, they look like they are seated quite deep (the inside of a case is tapered so the farther down the case the smaller the ID.). I'd recheck the specs for those Leverolution (sp?) bullets...

 

[Rule3]

My first question is what bullets are those?? Do you have the box they came in??

Second is the bottom of the brass marked 357 Mag?

Lets start from there. The we can get into powder and other stuff. Needless to say don't shoot them.

 

[novalty]

Needless to say don't shoot them.

Too Late...

Still shoots with no hang ups buts looks bad.

Serious case of shoot first and ask questions later.

If things don't look right, or you ever question anything in reloading--don't shoot.

 

[houdini26]

the bullet does look right ,are they the right size?

 

[MichiganScott]

At least he doesn't have to worry about the bullet moving during recoil.

I've seen some brass/carbide die combinations that make the reloaded cartridge look like a snake after it eats an egg, but this one looks like a snake that ate a whole chicken.

 

[Zappa]

I'd mic those bullets to see if they're within spec.

 

[kd5exp]

Hornady bullets .357

The dies are used but are marked 38 special. I assumed that it would work on 357 also. Most all I have seen list both and I have ordered a new die set. I cleaned the inside of the die with flitz but no difference. I am loading them with 3.8 gr of Titegroup, and them seem a little strong. The base is bulged and had a couple crack on me. The bulge I am worried about is before I shoot them, work on the load after I figure this out.

 

[Richard_]

I'd mic those bullets to see if they're within spec.

I would use my "zircon-encrusted tweezers" on those bullets.

 

[kd5exp]

The bullets just fall in the cylinder with no resistance. It was a new unopened box of bullets. Don't worry, I'm not shooting these anymore. I will just have to wait till the new dies come in. I have to order everything, closest place is Murf's, in Ducan, Ok, and 40 miles from here. I only make a trip there for hazmat stuff and pick up whatever while I'm there. I did some 38 sp bullets and it does the same thing.

 

[kd5exp]

Let me set the record straight. I only tried shooting the 38 sp bullets and only 6 of them I will not try the 357 magums, I like my face and hands too much, even if nobody else does. I have a bullet puller and will do this later after I figure something out. The 38 sp cases I through in the trash they looked so bad. Maybe case too tight on the bullet causing high pressures. I don't know. Still doesn't explain the bulge in the case before shooting them.

 

[colt_saa]

It sure looks like you are using the wrong sizing die.

However based on the "offset" look of the loaded ammunition, I would check to make sure that the shell holder and the die are lined up.

 

[kd5exp]

You are right colt ssa. I can't beleive how stupid I have been. I was in my room looking things over and noticed that the die said Lee on it. Thats strange they are RCBS dies. After futher looking, wait here it is, I have been using my 223 dies on these. I didn't think it was possible but it is. Thought it was a little hard to get the press down. Well I can toss about 100 each of 38 and 357 in the trash. It's a wounder something didn't give it up and might have if I had tried the 357 magums. My 38 resize die doesn't even have a decaper or rod. Thats what I get for buying used stuff fat a gun show about 10 years ago. I have got to get my room straightened up. Thanks for all the help guys. No good answers for stupidy is there.

 

[cjw3]

Glad you got it sorted out, and it is commendable for you to admit you made a mistake.

Don't sweat it........we have all done such (some worse). You learn and move on.

 

[novalty]

Don't feel bad, I am working on processing a lot of 38 Special and 357 mag cases I just got. Had some 45 acp ones too. Well came back after working on something else for awhile, and started sizing some 38 special, about 30 or so in, I got to thinking, man these are sizing really easy. Took a look and I had been sizing in my 45 acp die--didn't mess up the brass, but I got the opportunity to run the ones I had just done right back through again on the correct die.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Glad all is well...............Back to square #1

Make sure the .357 dies are correct and have all the parts
since you should not load 357 with a .38 die since the case will not be sized correctly even with the "Home made adapter"!! Been there done that..................

Old saying, measure twice,cut one time................also works in the reloading business.

One thing I hate is having to remove bullets fron several loads ...............but is better than being removed from the hospital to the morgue.

Stay safe.

 

[Neumann]

According to the Hornady reloading manual, you have to trim .357M cases to 1.240" to use 140 gr FTX bullets (plastic tip) and load to the recommended OAL of 1.585", due to the long ogive. That will require you to adjust the crimping/seating die too. The standard case length is 1.290", which means a lot of brass shavings on the table.

If it were me, I'd stick with either Keith-style SWC bullets for practice, or XTP bullets in 125gr or 158gr sizes. No need to trim cases for these. You can use a bulkier powder too, like 2400.

Finally, I'd separate the seating and crimping operations. That's easy to do with .357M (others too). The RCBS dies come with a 0.100" washer so you can set up for .38 SPL and switch to .357 M easily. I set the crimp without the washer and the seating post backed out. Then I put the washer under the nut and set the seating post with a sample bullet, check it with a dial caliper, and crimp in a second operation once all the bullets are in place. There's much less chance of crumpling a case that way, and it takes a LOT less force on the press.