Author Topic: .357 max (Read 453 times)

fortress49 · « **on:** September 02, 2005, 09:33:24 AM »

Currently, I reload for my .38sp/.357 mag revolver so I have dies for them. Can you use the same dies to reload for .357 max?

Thanks,

Matt

Lone Star · « **Reply #1 on:** September 02, 2005, 09:34:59 AM »

Yes, most .38/.357 dies will work fine for loading the Max.

skb2706 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 02, 2005, 09:58:09 AM »

I use RCBS .38/.357 mag carbide dies for mine. You may have to cheat the primer punch out just a bit to avoid over 'belling' the case mouth and if you intend to shoot anything but flat nose bullets call RCBS. They will send you a selection of bullet seaters for everything from pointed bullets to FN.

Steve P · « **Reply #3 on:** September 08, 2005, 07:55:42 PM »

You can do it, but you can have problems. The dies are too short to seat the bullet properly and crimp properly. The base of the brass is exposed. The pressures of seating a bullet or applying a proper crimp can cause your base to bulge near the rim. This will keep you from chambering it, and can actually ruin your brass as no die can get down that far to correct it.

Just a precaution to be aware of.

Steve

skb2706 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 09, 2005, 08:05:22 AM »

"The dies are too short to seat the bullet properly and crimp properly. " Huh.....what ??

If that logic applied then there would also be different dies for .38 Special - .357 mag. I have never seen this problem..........I must have several boxes of handloaded .357 maxs and hundreds of pieces of brass. Not one shows this condition...all have been loaded and bullet seated/crimped with a carbide set of .38/.357 mag RCBS dies. The only change I made was getting different seaters for pointed bullets.

skb2706 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 09, 2005, 08:09:47 AM »

Two other little tidbits.........

Call the tech at RCBS and ask him if you can use the shorter dies to load your max..........I did...I know what he says.

My .357 max is a min. spec chamber custom cut that would not allow any bulged cases to fit.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #6 on:** September 09, 2005, 02:04:14 PM »

Quote from: Steve P

You can do it, but you can have problems. The dies are too short to seat the bullet properly and crimp properly. The base of the brass is exposed. The pressures of seating a bullet or applying a proper crimp can cause your base to bulge near the rim. This will keep you from chambering it, and can actually ruin your brass as no die can get down that far to correct it.

Just a precaution to be aware of.

Steve

Quote from: skb2706

If that logic applied then there would also be different dies for .38 Special - .357 mag. I have never seen this problem..........I must have several boxes of handloaded .357 maxs and hundreds of pieces of brass. Not one shows this condition...all have been loaded and bullet seated/crimped with a carbide set of .38/.357 mag RCBS dies.

I must agree with SKB, I to have loaded thousands of Maxi's in my RCBS carbide 38/357 mag dies and have never had this happen.

BUT....I suppose it is possible if your dies/ press are not set up properly or you loading methods are incorrect. Improperly setup dies/ equiptment is common and has many implications and causes countless problems.

I suggest you Re-set up and thoroughly clean your dies. Adjust the crimp to stop at the bottom/end of the stroke and you will be fine.

CW