.357 case stretch?

[pennstater]

Any of you guys with .357 lever rifles get any stretched cases? Out of all my empties, only had five that went 1.285". not dangerous, but, didn't really expect any stretching at all. The rest are all good 1.280". Two firings from these cases. Federal. BTW, not hot loads, middle of the road. Thanks.

[Fjold]

It's hard to stretch a straight wall case, I have 44 Mag cases that have over 25 reloads (with full power loads) that I've never trimmed.

[pennstater]

Frank, know what you mean. Never had that happen in my Blackhawk. These were in my lever rifle, a Henry. Only those five, so I don't think it's the rifle, possibly the brass.

[200Apples]

I've not loaded any .357 yet, but I have several thousands pieces of it, all once-fired now. yeehaw.


None of my .44 Special or Mag brass has stretched, and like Frank, some have seen fairly stout loads. I sort them to size (to the .001" where I can) in batches of 50 pieces for a consistent roll crimp, and the only range pick-up (other folks' brass) I have I use for pressure-lapping rounds.

[LynnJr]

The maximum length is 1.290 with a trim length of 1.285
Is it possible you trimmed them to 1.280 for a uniform crimp and forgot 5?
Did you deprime them before measuring them? Sometimes a primer will sit up giving you a false measurement.

[pennstater]

Lynn, you bring up a couple of good points. So, I took six cases to the garage and deprimed three in my press. And three using an old Lee de-priming rod.
The three thru the press came in at 1.289"-1.290". the three using the rod only, came in 1.280". That is what three of my manual's call for a "trim to length" measurement. I'm wondering if my rifle is stretching those cases or if Federal cases are "weaker"/softer. I'll be keeping an eye this deal.

[pennstater]

Just to be clear, [I think], those six i just worked with were not the same ones I mentioned in my first post. I'm half convinced its the brass, not the rifle. I'm sure others will chime in and we'll come to some sort of conclusion.

[DueceMcGurk]

Stretched 357

Penn, I shot some medium load 357 in my lever yesterday. Will pull some measurements tomorrow.

Separately, for 45 ACP, I demoted Fed brass from match grade reloads to range only. The case-to-case weights were really variable, as were the once fired case lengths.

[pennstater]

Thanks Deuce. Yeah, I'm thinking it might be the Federal brass. The R-P brass measures fine. I just checked those a few minutes ago. I dunno.

[pacrat]

Federal brass headstamp is historically softer than other makers.

Straight walled cases doing any significant growing seems like a "stretch" to me.

[hambam105]

Only 1/50 reloaders that I personally know ever mention trimming straight wall pistol cases. I certainly do not. But I don't shoot lever guns, yet.
The pistol bench rest reloader crowd trim .38 Specials. There's always got to be someone.

[NoHeavyHitter]

Only 1/50 reloaders that I personally know ever mention trimming straight wall pistol cases. I certainly do not. But I don't shoot lever guns, yet.

I just trim my straight-wall cases when they are new (for a more uniform crimp) and that's all I've ever had to do.

[hambam105]

Yep. A lot of reloaders trim brand new brass. Aside from the pistol bench rest shooters, new brass trim was much more common some years back.
It can't hurt. Adds to professionalism I'd say.

[DueceMcGurk]

Penn,
357 mixed headstamp. 1.285 +/_0.002, N=26. I have never resized straight wall reload pistol brass. But in fairness, I don't often measure it either.

[pennstater]

OK, thanks Deuce. Those are still good and reloadable. Really leaning towards it being the Fed brass. Hmm.