A Tula rant. (.357)

[DoubleTap76]

So I hit the range with my Ruger LCR .357.

I load my .357 with with a mix of .38 and the Tula .357. Upon emptying the cylinder the steel cased .357 won't fall out. I was forced to shove a dowel through the cylinder to push it out. I stopped using the Tula in my LCR.

Weeks later I've saved the ammo for my S&W K-19 .357 expecting a different result. But no. In fact, the shells were even more difficult to pop out.

What gives? Do I know have a completely useless box of ammo. Should I have known in advance not to use Tulaamo .357?!

This is a whole lot of poop and I just thought I'd share.

Many of us have used Tula in other calibers successfully but, this has left a seriously bad taste in my mouth I won't soon forget...

[jeremyro]

I didn't even know they made 357, I might have to get a box and see what happens

[supertrooper]

Did you use the ejector rod?

[Spyder]

Expansion contraction rates. No big deal. How much money did you save?

[Devilmonkey89]

Expansion contraction rates. No big deal. How much money did you save?

+1 steel shrinks less after expanison in the cylinder compared to brass. I believe tula works in semi auto because there is a physical ejector pulling on the spent case for extraction.

[DoubleTap76]

Did you use the ejector rod?

I attempted to but, the shells had expanded enough where it was useless on both weapons.

The ammo was under $20. If I recall $16.99 maybe. Still a whole lot of poop.

[sprintcar]

did you shoot the .38 rounds first then .357's. That causes problems.

[DoubleTap76]

Mix

did you shoot the .38 rounds first then .357's. That causes problems.

In the LCR I shot a mix of .38 (brass/aluminum) to compare recoil. The .38 spilled out, the .357 didn't .

With the K-19, it was all .357 and all 6 rounds were a chore to get out.


Anyone know the best way to address this? Should one wait to remove shells or get them out ASAP?

[artb]

Anyone know the best way to address this? Should one wait to remove shells or get them out ASAP?

Depends on how accommodating the BG is .........

I have not purchased Tula because of stories like yours.
The price is always right, but not worth the hassle even for range ammo.
Maybe it's OK for semi-autos.

[Wordupmybrotha]

I won't buy Tula ever again. 1-2 out of 100 rds of 9mm were out of spec and gotten stuck in the chamber.

[SkyHawk]

I won't use it except in ComBloc rifles.

[LowThudd]

NEW 158 grain brass case $16.76 for 50- https://www.freedommunitions.com/category-s/3083.htm

They have hollow point for a couple bucks more.

[bountyhunter]

So I hit the range with my Ruger LCR .357.

I load my .357 with with a mix of .38 and the Tula .357. Upon emptying the cylinder the steel cased .357 won't fall out. I was forced to shove a dowel through the cylinder to push it out. I stopped using the Tula in my LCR.

Weeks later I've saved the ammo for my S&W K-19 .357 expecting a different result. But no. In fact, the shells were even more difficult to pop out.

What gives?

Steel does not "stretch back" like brass after the expansion due to firing. It's a well known problem and the reason that steel ammo jams many semi auto guns and breaks their extractors. Guns that are built to cycle steel ammo (commie guns) have a looser bore to accomodate this.

[DoubleTap76]

I've never shot steel cased ammo. The minimal savings is not worth it to me.

Yeah, I'm inclined to behave the same way after this. I now have 40 rds of Tula .357 I don't know what to do with. Save maybe apocalyptic desperation, I don't see myself ever using it.

Could it maybe work well in a .357 lever action???

Side note, my .308 was zero'd using a premium Remington load. Tossed in some Tula and had to adjust my windage 15-20 clicks.

Was surprised by that....

So yeah, done with the Tula for now. Will still cope with .223 considering I have a 500 rd can laying around somewhere...

[fritztkatt]

Your mixing 38 and 357 likely didn't help. Just like using 22 short for a while then putting in LR, the chamber will get dirty and cause the cases to stick.

Shooting the longer case first, will not yield the problem if you clean the chamber between range trips.

Steel of course has the issue of not shrinking so much after firing, which in your situation, is likely exacerbating the problem.

I suggest cleaning the chambers well, and lightly lubing before firing. Next time, try shooting the tula on a fresh gun. Maybe even swab some lube in there every couple cylinders or gently wipe the cases as you load them.