Issues with 357 Brass

[Spartikus]

Last night I loaded up my first 100 hand loads in 357 magnum and headed to the range today to give them a test run. All in all I had great success but I noticed that 5 wouldn't load into the cylinder. So when I got home I did a little investigating and discovered that the back of the cases were too big to fit even though I resized the whole case. I decided to pull the bullets and resize the cases and see if I had any problems. After doing so all the empty cases slid right in like they should so I reloaded the rounds and did a final test. This time 4 of the 5 were good but the last one still didn't want to just slide in.

Now I'm trying to figure out if it's the brass cases, the resizing die, or something in the reloading process that is causing this issue. I feel like it must be the die but I'm not 100%. Anyone have any ideas? In case this is helpful, here is my load data:

Brass: Blazer
Primer: Winchester SP
Powder: TiteGroup 5.0g
COL: 1.580
Bullet: HSM Custom HP Plated 125g (with cannelure)

 

[alwslate]

Sounds like you could be applying so much pressure on the case as you
seat and crimp the bullet that you are causing it to bulge.

 

[growr]

My thoughts as well..
Randy

 

[Fkimble]

Yep took much crimp. Most likely those few cases are just a couple hairs longer than the rest. Backing off the crimp a little will probably allow then all to work. Or you could trim them a hair. Different brands of pistol brass can be a little different in length. Unless your making up some super duper full power loads with slow burning powder, then just a hint of a crimp will work fine and extend the life of the brass. usually pistol brass gives out at the mouth from excessive belling and crimping. Keep thes to a mimimum and your brass will last much longer.

 

[noylj]

For roll crimp, first, be sure that the bullets are being seated to the top edge of the crimp groove (or, with some cast bullets, to the first lube groove) and use a Redding Profile Crimp die.
Unless you are loading full magnum loads, are heavy crimp is not needed.
Also, consider how to determine the cause of any problem:
1) If the resized cases fit the cylinder, then sizing is not the problem.
2) Measuring case dimensions before and after each step (and pulling seated bullets to verify OD has not changed and you aren't damaging the bullet) will pinpoint where your problem is.
I keep the barrel or the cylinder at the bench and set-up the press by "loading" at least two inert (no powder or primers in the press) rounds to set-up the dies and determine COL and crimp. A lot of range problems can be solved if you check and verify at home with inert rounds.

 

[Spartikus]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I was suspecting my crimp but since most rounds worked it made me second guess myself. I will be sure to check my rounds in the cylinder to make sure I correct the crimping problem.

 

[nightshade2x]

Lee FCD...done...

Have fun and be safe.
Nightshade2x

 

[Agent Smith]

I agree with what was said above regarding the crimp beign the issue, and with what Nightshade said, get a Lee Factory Crimp Die, which resizes the case after you crimp and you shouldn't have this issue at all.

 

[gwpercle]

and if you have a few cases that are just a little longer than the others the crimp winds up being excessive for them while every other one is just fine. One of the many things that make reloading interesting. I keep mine in lots of 100 and trim them to the same length when too many start giving me trouble . Also seating and crimping in two seperate steps helps the bulging problem.

gary

 

[mikld]

Rather than use a "band-aid fix", just adjust your dies correctly. Do you have a micrometer? Measure the offending cartridges and see exactly where the case is too big (what exactly is the back of the case?) and how much. Seperate each operation and find out where/which operation is buldging the case. After sizing does the case "grow" when you flare the mouth, or does it get bigger after the bullet is seated (bullet too big/thick cases), or after you crimp (too heavy crimp forcing the case walls out/buckling)? Play detective and determine why your cases are too big. If you don't wanna go through all the troubleshooting, separate the seating and crimping operations and/or back off the crimp. But in my experience loading from .357 Magnum (jacketed, lead, plated from 110 gr. to 160 gr. and since 1985) and I have never needed a Lee Factory Crimp Die...

 

[jimkim]

I'm with them. You don't need no band aid. You don't even need a press. People loaded accurate ammo for years without them. They still do. Why do something that makes things easier just because you can? I'll be you even use an automobile. lol JK I would love to know what was said about the first scales, powder measures, dies, percussion caps, brass cartridges etc....

 

[Spartikus]

I just finished loading another 50 rounds and after backing off the crimp a little bit it seems my problem has gone away! I checked every round in the cylinder of my 586 and everything was as it should be.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I just finished loading another 50 rounds and after backing off the crimp a little bit it seems my problem has gone away! I checked every round in the cylinder of my 586 and everything was as it should be.

I love it when a plan comes together!

Now go out and shoot that great revolver of yours!

 

[mikld]

I just finished loading another 50 rounds and after backing off the crimp a little bit it seems my problem has gone away! I checked every round in the cylinder of my 586 and everything was as it should be.

Great! Now do you know why the lighter crimped rounds fit? If so, the effort was worth it and in the future you'll crimp all your ammo just right!