Author Topic: 357max fouling brass (Read 1110 times)

LaDano · « **on:** December 22, 2012, 04:15:23 AM »

So I have 2 357max handis. 1 is a 22" brand new barrel that I reamed to max. It seams to shoot pretty good except the shallow firing pin strikes. This trigger must be pulled all the way. The 2nd 357max is a 18" used barrel from a member here. It groups a lot larger @50yds. No problem with short primer strikes. The problem with it, the brass is sooted up a lot. I'm loading AA1680, CCI450 primers & Hornady 180gr XTP
Any help with the short primer strikes on 22" gun & soothing of the brass on the 18" gun will be appreciated. Both frames are SB2

tom548 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 22, 2012, 04:36:03 AM »

Try switching frames and see if the shallow primer strike is being caused by the receiver or the case set to deep into the barrel.
You did not tell us your load , but soot on the case quit often happens on light loads as the case does not expand as it does on a hotter load.
Also in the help section it tells how far the firing pin should protrude and how to test it.

LaDano · « **Reply #2 on:** December 22, 2012, 04:59:10 AM »

27gr is what I started with. I forgot about the the firing pin check in FAQ. I'll check it out. I understand the light load not expand ing the brass. I guess the new barrel might be a smudge tighter in the chamber. Thanx

cwlongshot · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2012, 01:41:27 AM »

Quote from: LaDano on December 22, 2012, 04:59:10 AM

27gr is what I started with. I forgot about the the firing pin check in FAQ. I'll check it out. I understand the light load not expanding the brass. I guess the new barrel might be a smudge tighter in the chamber. Thanx

I agree with Tom. Most times you have sooted cases you have lo chamber pressures. BUT this is NOT a tell all pressure indicator!! You can also have a rough chamber. I would give the chamber a really good cleaning and try a couple different loads. If no problems, your good, if it continues try polishing the chamber.

BTW, 27g is also too hot to START with...

My shorty maxi TOPPED OUT at 26.5g! My second handi was fine up to almost 28. Yours may be just fine or even allow more, all I am saying STARTING at such a load is a dangerous habbit to start.

For the light pin strikes, check protrusion and swap in a extra power Wolffe spring! If you find the problems still remain, you may have a timing issue with the transfer bar. This is not uncommon with improper trigger jobs. Everyone needs to remember do not remove material with a trigger job... the parts are only surface hardeded and cutting thru it will result in the "ever changing trigger syndrome'' What you want to do is polish the contact parts! Make 'em look like chrome if you like, just do it with a hard stone or a dremil cloth and flitz or like compound. Be careful of angles, some surfaces MUST be done by hand to insure these angles.

Good luck and Merry CHRISTmas,
CW

gcrank1 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 24, 2012, 04:04:40 AM »

Try something faster as a powder, like Unique, to see what a quicker pressure spike does for the sooting, If it goes away, well, there ya are, its pressure.
The light strikes are, short a too deep chamber, likely the T-Bar. Somewhere here are GREAT pics of the good looking ones and the bad ones..........anybody got a link?

LaDano · « **Reply #5 on:** December 31, 2012, 01:33:59 PM »

I started with 26g sorry about that. I'm gonna dig into the transfer bar more and study up on slicking the trigger. Any pics would help a lot.
I'll double check the chamber on my other max and polish if necessary. I have Unique on hand but no load data for it. What would be a good starting load?

Thanx for all the advice, much appreciated.

LaDano · « **Reply #6 on:** January 09, 2013, 04:46:40 PM »

I put another 35 rds through the 22" barrel Sun. Only had 1 FTF, I'm pretty sure it's me. I paid more attention on pulling the trigger all the way back. I was going to do a polish job on the trigger today until I measured the pull. 3 1/4lb trigger, guess I was just stopping my finger when the hammer fell. I haven't measured my 18" barreled handi yet. I'll polish the chamber and trigger this week and try it out when all this rain is over with.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 09, 2013, 05:46:31 PM »

Good to hear you are gaining on it. That isnt a bad trigger pull at all. You might try knocking it down and cleaning the notch and sear tip really well and putting on a tiny bit of automotive anti-seize compound; it'll really slick up a trigger with no material removal. Oil the pin hole in hammer & trigger before reassembly and see what you get.

LaDano · « **Reply #8 on:** January 09, 2013, 06:06:42 PM »

Thanx for the tip. I'll wear more never seize than ill get in the gun. Hehehe

LaDano · « **Reply #9 on:** January 19, 2013, 03:39:38 PM »

I got a hard Arkansas stone from Midway and a wolf spring. Gonna see what I can do without tonight. Where is a good place to find load info for cast boolits? I have some 190gr Ranchdogs is like to try out.

mechanic · « **Reply #10 on:** January 19, 2013, 04:02:07 PM »

As for the sooting....are you crimping?

Ben

LaDano · « **Reply #11 on:** January 19, 2013, 04:11:21 PM »

Very light crimp.

mechanic · « **Reply #12 on:** January 19, 2013, 04:15:57 PM »

Put a good roll crimp on those puppies so they can uniformly expand to the chamber...and if possible set aside brass for that chamber and neck size it only....not all chambers are uniform. This has cured the problem for me on a couple guns.

Ben

LaDano · « **Reply #13 on:** January 19, 2013, 04:40:45 PM »

They make a neck sizing die for a straight wall case? I'm new to this. I'll check with midway. Till them I'll tighten up the crimp and check again. Gonna try and go shoot next week. Range is 1 1/2hrs away.

Thanx

LaDano · « **Reply #14 on:** January 19, 2013, 07:59:10 PM »

Pulled the trigger down tonight. Polished the pins and contact points. I was very hesitant on stoning the trigger and sear, just barely worked them. Lightly doped everything with anti seize. Seems it never wears off and slick. Still at 3 1/4lb pull with 0 creep. Installed a Wolf spring,(Thanx Bobby). I'm happy with the pull for now. It was a lot easier than I thought, gonna do my other Max next. Still looking for data for the RD, powder is scarce here now. Go figure right!

steve@357maximum.com · « **Reply #15 on:** January 20, 2013, 02:42:48 AM »

I checked some of my original .357 Maximum load notes with the T/C Encore. Using the Hornady 180 SSP and CCI 450 primers, I started loading at 25.2 grains. I had the same issues you experienced, with soot on the cases as you mentioned in your first post. This condition did not go away until I reached 28.0 grains.

Having said that, through a batch of handloads that Western Powder Co. tested for me I found that the 180 XTP bullet produces higher pressures than the 180 SSP. With standard C.O.L. loadings, I would advise not exceeding 28.0 grains of 1680 with the XTP bullet.

Steve

revbc · « **Reply #16 on:** January 20, 2013, 02:45:25 AM »

Here's you some data for the RD bullets.

LaDano · « **Reply #17 on:** January 20, 2013, 03:17:40 AM »

I've gone up to 27gr with 1680 with no pressure signs, high enough for me.
Bobby, I can live with those groups all day long. I'm going to check with BR reloading tomorrow for LiL gun. Thanx again

gcrank1 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 20, 2013, 04:06:31 AM »

Straight wall cases are, well, straight. The mouth dia. is the same as the base. So to 'neck size' you only size as far down the top end as the bullet body will seat.
This wont pop out the primer, that is easy enough with a Universal Decapping Die (mine is Lee) or a suitable punch and hammer with the case sitting over a primer+ size hole.

LaDano · « **Reply #19 on:** January 20, 2013, 04:51:09 AM »

Well that makes sense. I'll keep the brass separate the next time I go shoot and give it a try. Thanx

tc scout · « **Reply #20 on:** January 20, 2013, 05:42:23 AM »

A little late chiming in on your problems. But for what its worth I use nothing but H110 and rifle primers in my Maxi.
My best accuracy is with 180 Gr. XTP's. Not going to suggest Gr weight in H110 as I have been criticized for my loads before.

Check the manuals for starting loads and work your way up. Loadbooks Contender volume 2 has been a great source of info for me.
My Contender and H&R both shoot great with this combo.

hoytcanon · « **Reply #21 on:** January 20, 2013, 06:47:14 AM »

I'm betting that chamber is chattered... polish it up good.

LaDano · « **Reply #22 on:** January 20, 2013, 07:41:08 AM »

Thanx guys, I'm gonna check it out tonight.