Author Topic: 357 Mag Help! (Read 606 times)

Stan M. · « **on:** March 14, 2004, 03:56:05 PM »

I need help seating my bullets in my .357. I haven't loaded a lot of straight walled handgun bullets where crimping was involved. I have been primarily loading rifle bullets over the years. I have loaded these .357 cases once before but it was 9 years ago.
What is happening is the powder seems to be keeping the bullets from going deep enough in the case to where the case reaches the crimp ring on the bullet. I have several kinds of bullets and the crimp ring seems to be the same distance from the base on all the various bullets I have.
I tried to load 15 gr. of H-110 then reduced the load to 13 gr. with same problem. The cases I loaded years ago were loaded with 16.1 gr. of H-110 behind 158 gr. Nosler Partitions and XTP's. So why won't the bullet go in far enough? I don't remember having this problem years ago.
I'm using a different press and dies this time but seem to have everything set right. Maybe I don't. The bullets do fine with a dummy round but the bullets start deforming when there is powder in the case. The powder does not want to compress and let the bullet go in far enough.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Stan

hogship · « **Reply #1 on:** March 14, 2004, 04:27:50 PM »

I've loaded 158gr Speer, Oregon Trail, and Sierra bullets in .357 and haven't noticed a compressed charge with H110.......far from it.

Just a guess.....maybe you should double check your charge with your scale and make sure you're throwing the charge you think you are.

Is this the same H110 powder that you were using 9yrs ago?

You did flair the case mouths, didn't you?

hogship

Stan M. · « **Reply #2 on:** March 14, 2004, 04:43:49 PM »

Hogship,
Thanks for the reply. I now have three 1lb. cans of H-110. On of those is the original I loaded from years ago. I inhereted the others cans from a friend who got out of loading and one can from a deceased friend. I would TRUST they wouldn't have swaped containers. They knew better! All of these cans have some age on them.
I can go back and recheck the scales again. I zereoed them before I started. My Nosler manual gives me percentages of the case filled and what I was weighing seemed to fill the case a liitle more.
Thanks again,
Stan

hogship · « **Reply #3 on:** March 14, 2004, 05:24:50 PM »

Stan.....

Do what you will, but I don't trust anyone else when it comes to using their powders and primers....unless they're sealed, and in original and unopened factory containers. Nothing against your friend, but IMHO, it's just gotta be that way!

How do you know your friend didn't get that powder from someone else, and it had already been opened?

When you zeroed your scale, did you use a set of check weights? Or, did you just set it to zero and adjust the pointer to center?

I have the latest Nosler manual, as well. At 15.9gr of H110, I see that only 90% of the case is filled with their 158gr JHP. I also see that the #47 Lyman manual lists a 17.7gr max charge of H110 using 158gr JHP.....without listing it as a compressed charge.

There is definately something wrong, if you are compressing 13gr of H110 so much that the bullet deforms.

I wouldn't shoot any of these loads until you've positively identified the problem.

One more question: Do you notice an ether smell, or rust colored powder in the containers of H110. If you do, it is an indicator of deterioration.

good luck

hogship

Duffy · « **Reply #4 on:** March 14, 2004, 07:00:48 PM »

Stan,
Didn't grab 38 spec brass by mistake? Brass trimmed too far? Ain't a big ole spider in the bottom of the case?

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #5 on:** March 14, 2004, 07:49:45 PM »

357s are my biggest loading and I agree with Hogships comments on this.

The first thing I'd check is the scale. Next, I'd get rid of the powder, as like he said, unless you cracked the seal yourself, there's no way to be sure about it.

Duffy may have a point too. If you grabbed 38 cases instead of 357s, it'll do exactly what you're seeing.

H-110 shouldn't be doing that at all in my experience. You may find a slightly compressed load, but never enough to deform a bullet because of it, and definately not 13 grains with any bullet.

It got to be one of these problems.

Wrong cases
Wrong bullets
Wrong powder
Or your scale is off

Flash · « **Reply #6 on:** March 14, 2004, 10:59:40 PM »

I'll chime in too. Loading density for the 357 is far from compression charges except with certain powders and with max charges. IMR 4227 is one that has a high loading density. Check, double check and recheck yourself. I've been told that H110 is the same as Win. 296 and with the 296, charge weights shouldn't be deviated from for safety. I would get me some fresh powder, load the 357 according to specs and compare it to loads with your mystery powder. Then if you're satisfied that you've covered all your bases, convince yourself that you've just sacrificed a few pounds of powder to save your hands and perhaps your vision.

Stan M. · « **Reply #7 on:** March 15, 2004, 06:24:10 AM »

Well it hit me, when I layed down to bed last night. Hogship hit it on the head. Those big marks on the beam are 10gr each not 5gr. :oops: I should have paid more attention. I guess it's like driving, if been doing it a long time you can develope a bad habit and not even realize it. I should've counted those marks to reassure myself before setting the beam. It has been awhile since I loaded a charge that small.
I remember one of the reasons why I chose H-110 also. It was because it fills up most of the case and a double charge would be very evident. Even though I tried. Duh-Huh! I normally throw pistol loads but I was resetting up the dies for a different press. I still randomly check them with a scale though.
Whenever something is not right, I do not continue on. If I'm tired or frustrated I stop. Even a veteran can make a mistake, so be careful. If it doesn't seem right don't do it. I stopped and thought I would see if you guys could point me in the right direction. It was the simplest most logical answer too. I knew somebody out there would have the answer and I do value your opinions.
Thanks for the help!
Stan

Flash · « **Reply #8 on:** March 15, 2004, 11:58:16 AM »

He spent 4 years making sure it was safe for us to sleep at night.....and came home to tell about it. He has to have the right answers! Glad you got it worked out Stan.....and safely too!

hogship · « **Reply #9 on:** March 15, 2004, 12:01:47 PM »

Well, Stan......

Glad to see a happy ending, here!

:grin:

I'll bet you a buck you'll never do that again!

My guesswork wasn't just something I cooked up in my head......I've made plenty of mistakes all on my own....and that's one of 'em!

Here's a little tip: Although I now have a set of check weights, I didn't always have them. A good substitute check weight that works well is any bullet you have of known weight. Set up your scale and zero as usual. Then weigh the bullet. If a 200gr bullet weighs 200gr, you're good to go.

(Always use the same bullet and keep it with your scale.)

So long.

hogship