Is my head to big?

[Rodland]

I have some 357 silver cases, got used as once fired. I intended to load them
for my Blackhawk but after sizing and depriming they drag on the frame when
approaching the firing position. All are under max length and fall in quiet
well. A few of them work quiet well, maybe 10 out of 50. They are stamped P M C.
I can load these for my 357 Handi with no problem but would like to know what
would cause this. This is my first to reload for the revolver so I don't know
if this is a common problem with used brass from another gun or not.
Any help appreciated, Thanks  Mikie

[kevinsmith5]

Have you been shooting a large number of short COL loads lately? Wadcutters? Your chambers might have buildup in them.

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[sr sawyer]

Did you check to make sure the primers are flush with or a little below the case head?  Primers not at least flush can cause the drag you are encountering, plus what Kevin said.
 
Ken

[tacklebury]

Thick or warped rims?   

[Rodland]

I cut one down to length of a 38 and still no go.
 
These are unprimed.
 
I was thinking maybe "thick or warped rims" but don't know how to check for that. I can only check the rim edge.  Wait a minute, I put one in my calipers and one edge holds tight and the other will swing up and down side to side. Turn it 180 degrees and the opposite edge, or side swings. I got warped rims  Guess they are only good for the break open Handi unless there is a cure for this. ?
 
Thanks all!

[tacklebury]

Yah, if someone was shooting a .357 Desert Eagle, they tend to warp the rims some, like a tommy gun can on .45 auto.  Another time it happens is if you tork too hard on length sizing with a lee sizer.  The cutter at the top doesn't apply the same force at the base and can warp them.  Once they are warped there's little fix that I've found.  I usually chuck em.  8(

[spinafish]

you might try a deep well socket that will slip over the shell,but sits on the rim..then tap with leather or plastic hammer..

[DANNY-L]

Happened to me before and fixed it by adjusting the die down slightly and also cleaned my shell holder,mainly the top which had gunk and lube build up. I guess it doesn't take much.

[bilmac]

I wonder if shooting them in the handi would straighten them up?

[Rodland]

I wonder if shooting them in the handi would straighten them up?

That is what I am going to try when weather permits.

[shot1]

I know you found warped rims in your case. Once I experienced this same thing with a S&W revolver and it turned out that where I had been shooting 2400 powder that is DIRTY I had not cleaned out from under the ejector star good enough. A couple of granules of dirty half burnt powder was under there and caused just enough obstruction that it caused the star to sit out just a slight bit thus causing the case rims to drag on the face of the frame. Properly cleaned it ran like a sewing machine.

[painted horse]

PMC brass in 45 colt is a little thicker and heavier than Winchester or Starline from my experience, but haven't had any issue using them. Sure sounds like high primers to me, but you said they weren't primed. I don't recall ever having a warped case rim.