200 grain .357 lead bullet problem

[rmc25]

Years, and I mean many years, ago I bought "copperized" (copper washed) bullets from National Bullet Company. They are out of business now but the lead bullets I bought back then were very accurate in my revolvers. I recently came across a box of 500 200 grain bullets so I went through all my reloading data including newly published data which has reduced the power charges. I wanted to work up a medium load for these lead 200 grainers.

After prepping the cases I found the 200 grain bullets expand the cases to the point that they will not easily chamber in the cylinder. OAL is right at spec. I miked 20 of the bullets and they register exactly the same as my jacketed 125 grain jacketed bullets.

I was planning to use my 357 Maximum but they don't fit well in either my Maximum or my Bisley so I have abandoned this project for now.

Anybody have any experience with 200 grain bullets in a 357 mag revolver? I would like to use them if I can.

rmc

 

[Jimbo357mag]

The Lee Factory Crimp Die has a carbide post sizing ring that might be able to size the cartridges down so they could fit your cylinder.

 

[stevemb]

Sigh, I miss Nat'l Bullet too. In .44 varieties am down under 500 left here. They were on my way to work, and an awful temptation !

 

[mikld]

Just thinkin'. A 200 grain bullet is prolly longer than lighter, "normal" weight bullets, and the inside of the cases are tapered. Case walls get thicker nearer the case head so a .357" bullet will expand the case more as it's seated deeper than "regular" bullets. Whenever there is a fit issue, measure. Measure the OD of your finished 200 gr bullet reload and it's prolly too big to chamber. One solution would be to seat the bullet shallower, out so it doesn't expand the case too much. Starting with starting loads and seating the bullet so the cartridge will just fit in the cylinder (length) would be a good place to start...

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

+ 1 ...... It sounds like a micrometer is needed.

 

[Mobuck]

Do the bullet grooves allow seating long in 38 cases? Probably not a max load capable compromise.

 

[Coogs]

I'm loading a 200gr cast with check for my Max, never had a problem.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Have you tried other brands of brass? Possibly the cases internal taper or wall thickness will be different in say Winchester rather than StarLine cases would be.
The Lee FCD idea is a good one. It also irons out any case mouth flair that is left after crimping and seating. Here too, a micrometer will tell you just what the issue is.

 

[rmc25]

Thanks for the suggestions. I made up a couple of test cases (no primer/no powder) and seated the bullet just far enough to allow the cylinder to rotate freely. The cases are still a snug fit but can be pushed in with my thumb. Looks like I will be able to use these old bullets after all.
rmc