357 brass 1.281 trimmed length vs 1.276 /1.277 hunting loads

[rob-c]

so I am new to reloading and this is what I have
rim rock 180 grain hard cast (same bullet that buffalo bore uses)
Aliant 2400
Speer /Lyman loading manuals
this is where my question comes in
I have Remington and Federal once fired brass by me
I installed all cases on a lee trimmer and all Federals had a small amount trimmed off, but all Remington's were short, I measured cases with a micrometer.
(federals were all 1.281 after trimming)
(Remington's all were short and would not contact the trimmer, lengths were 1.276 to 1.277)
so my first thought is to use all Federal cases to work up my hunting loads. and use the Remington's for target but how much if any more pressure would I get by going to the shorter Remington's. what I am wondering is if I will get more F.P.S out of the shorter casings?
thanks all, I have a feeling I know the answer just want to see what every one thought.

 

[mr surveyor]

I'd bet that the only issue you may notice, and probably not, with a 4-5 thousandths difference in revolver brass length is in your crimp. I don't remember ever spending much time measuring any of my revolver brass, and it's a pretty wide variety with many of unknown number of cycles.

 

[stevemb]

I'll be curious as to what firearm you are using and your powder charge weights, and what are you hunting. stevemb

 

[rob-c]

steve, Blackhawk and will be hunting deer , powder charge is yet to be determined I will start low and work up to get the best accuracy with as much velocity as I can get. I am basically trying to get the most accurate loads and from what I have read trimmed equal length cases are best for a consistent crimp. and please do not tell me to go to a bigger caliber that's not my question.

 

[5of7]

As a rule, the 'trim to' length is .010" shorter than maximum length. Maximum length for the .357 Mg. is 1.280" if I recall correctly. The main thing is that they all be the same length in order to get a good consistent crimp.

 

[GP100man]

I trimmed my lee depth gage to trimm to 1.275", If you do this go slow & try it`s length often.

 

[Bryan]

Not meaning to hi jack this thread but, GP100man how did you trim the lee case length gauge? I always assumed they were hardend.

 

[5of7]

Not meaning to hi jack this thread but, GP100man how did you trim the lee case length gauge? I always assumed they were hardend.

:lol:

 

[stevemb]

Rob-C, its not a big priority job here right now, but I'm doing the same thing you are. BH,2400,180gr XTP's and WFN's. This for FIL and BIL. Maybe we can trade PM's on charge weights. When I ran a thread quite similar to this, got a lot of the"worlds gonna end right soon" responses. Caution is never a bad thing though. The fIL and BIL won't shoot enough for me to buy 110/296 or AA9, so its the 2400 I have on hand. Here, mature bucks usually still weigh @ 200lbs after field dressing. YMMV. stevemb

 

[Cholo]

Not meaning to hi jack this thread but, GP100man how did you trim the lee case length gauge? I always assumed they were hardend.

Well, I'm not GP100man, but I always file the tip of the pin if my LEE trimmer cuts them to more than the minimum length. I use a fine diamond file and fine emery cloth, checking often so I get it just right.

Is there something funny I missed, 5of7?

 

[rob-c]

As a rule, the 'trim to' length is .010" shorter than maximum length. Maximum length for the .357 Mg. is 1.280" if I recall correctly. The main thing is that they all be the same length in order to get a good consistent crimp.

according to my speer manual max case length is 1.290 and trim to length is 1.280 and max cartridge length is 1.590 in case any one following this thread wants to know. 5 of 7 thanks yes that's what I am going for, is consistent same length cases for a good crimp.

 

[rob-c]

Rob-C, its not a big priority job here right now, but I'm doing the same thing you are. BH,2400,180gr XTP's and WFN's. This for FIL and BIL. Maybe we can trade PM's on charge weights. When I ran a thread quite similar to this, got a lot of the"worlds gonna end right soon" responses. Caution is never a bad thing though. The fIL and BIL won't shoot enough for me to buy 110/296 or AA9, so its the 2400 I have on hand. Here, mature bucks usually still weigh @ 200lbs after field dressing. YMMV. stevemb

we can do that sounds good, sending you a pm now..

 

[Jimbo357mag]

A few thousands of an inch difference in case length isn't going to make any difference in your reloads except for your crimp. For that reason you should separate your cases by headstamp.

 

[mikld]

In all my straight sided revolver ammo, I doubt if I have measured case length or OAL in the last 20+ years. All my .44 Magnums (5) and .38s (4) are reloaded with bullets seated to the crimp groove or cannalure. I've loaded powder puff loads up to T-Rex killers (265 gr. bullets with near max loads of WC820 and/or 2400) and have never had a problem with my seating methods or OAL...

 

[GP100man]

As Cholo said go slow .

 

[TULLYMARS]

May be a silly ? but, did you full length size your brass before trimming?

 

[Cholo]

TULLYMARS, not silly at all. Sometimes the best of us miss the obvious

:wink:

 

[rob-c]

May be a silly ? but, did you full length size your brass before trimming?

yes they were de- primed and run through the size dye ? the federal cases that I did get some brass removal on it was basically shaving the high spots to even the mouth..

 

[WESHOOT2]

Those few thous will matter not one whit pressure-wise.

 

[DGW1949]

Those few thous will matter not one whit pressure-wise.

True that.
1.281 minus 1.276 = .005 = 1/200th of an inch.
The distance from the base of the bullet to the crimp groove can vary more than that from one manufacturer to another and/or from one style of bullet to another. That is true even when comparing different brands of bullets with the same (advertized) weight, and often gets more pronounced as the bullet gets longer...which heavier bullets always are.

Just sayin'....there's a LOT more to consider when loading to max pressure than trim length. A good place to start would be asking the bullet manufacturer what the recommended AOL is for whatever bullet is being used, for THAT is going to determine the actual case capacity.

You guys be careful out there.

DGW