Virgin brass (Starline) for first go/with cast bullets?

mudlark · May 17, 2008, 01:09 PM

Gentlemen,

I'm getting components together for my first try at loading .38 and .357.

Initially I planned on picking up some once fired or virgin brass from some online supplier but find .357 hard to find at a reasonable price/quantity issues/shipping costs for partial orders, etc, etc.

Then I came upon some Starline brass at a somewhat local shop priced a little more than once fired but cheaper than other big name brands. I was not familiar with the brand so I ran it through a search.

For the most part the stuff gets excellent reviews as brass goes.

Except... I came upon someones post claiming the stuff is so good it causes problems with the seating of cast bullets, supposedly because of a slightly thicker case wall.

Fact or more internet forum BS?? Possibly the author just did not have his expander die adjusted properly - but hey, I'm certainly no John Wooters!

Being new at loading metallic and planning on using cast bullets I need as little glitches as possible.

Comments on Starline brass in general? Anyone using the stuff? Any problems with cast bullets?

It is the best price I've found on virgin brass and the guy has the quantity I want to get up and runnin'.

Thanks.

rwilson452 · May 17, 2008, 01:22 PM

Starline is good stuff. it was likely the loader didn't expand the mouth enough.

WESHOOT2 · May 17, 2008, 02:25 PM

I've claimed "When in doubt buy Starline".

Plus the company enthusiastically supports our shooting sports.

I've used Starline in 9x19, 9x21, 38 Special, 38 Super, 357 Magnum, 40 S&W, 10mm, 400 CorBon, 44 Magnum, 45 ACP, and 45 Colt.

xtargeeter · May 18, 2008, 06:09 AM

I've used Starline in a variety of calibers with both jacketed and cast bullets. No problems at all.

Sevens · May 18, 2008, 07:26 AM

Starline brass has a monumentally good rep in this industry, but no brass is perfect.

IMO, I really put a lot of effort in to making my money go the furthest-- with that in mind, I would certainly buy Starline brass for heavy .357 loads, or .44 Mag, or 10mm, or anything that high horsepower. But for .38 Special? I'll use almost anything other than A-Merc and S&B and not worry about it. It's a real powder-puff and I wouldn't spend the dough for Starline in that caliber. And while .38 isn't as popular and plentiful as it used to be (back in the 80s it practically came in free sample packets in the mail), I still think it's darn cheap to find once-fired .38 Special.

May 17, 2008, 01:09 PM	#1
mudlark Member Join Date: April 1, 2008 Posts: 39	Virgin brass (Starline) for first go/with cast bullets? Gentlemen, I'm getting components together for my first try at loading .38 and .357. Initially I planned on picking up some once fired or virgin brass from some online supplier but find .357 hard to find at a reasonable price/quantity issues/shipping costs for partial orders, etc, etc. Then I came upon some Starline brass at a somewhat local shop priced a little more than once fired but cheaper than other big name brands. I was not familiar with the brand so I ran it through a search. For the most part the stuff gets excellent reviews as brass goes. Except... I came upon someones post claiming the stuff is so good it causes problems with the seating of cast bullets, supposedly because of a slightly thicker case wall. Fact or more internet forum BS?? Possibly the author just did not have his expander die adjusted properly - but hey, I'm certainly no John Wooters! Being new at loading metallic and planning on using cast bullets I need as little glitches as possible. Comments on Starline brass in general? Anyone using the stuff? Any problems with cast bullets? It is the best price I've found on virgin brass and the guy has the quantity I want to get up and runnin'. Thanks.

May 17, 2008, 02:25 PM	#3
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	all good I've claimed "When in doubt buy Starline". Plus the company enthusiastically supports our shooting sports. I've used Starline in 9x19, 9x21, 38 Special, 38 Super, 357 Magnum, 40 S&W, 10mm, 400 CorBon, 44 Magnum, 45 ACP, and 45 Colt. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

May 18, 2008, 07:26 AM	#5
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	Starline brass has a monumentally good rep in this industry, but no brass is perfect. IMO, I really put a lot of effort in to making my money go the furthest-- with that in mind, I would certainly buy Starline brass for heavy .357 loads, or .44 Mag, or 10mm, or anything that high horsepower. But for .38 Special? I'll use almost anything other than A-Merc and S&B and not worry about it. It's a real powder-puff and I wouldn't spend the dough for Starline in that caliber. And while .38 isn't as popular and plentiful as it used to be (back in the 80s it practically came in free sample packets in the mail), I still think it's darn cheap to find once-fired .38 Special. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

May 17, 2008, 01:22 PM	#2
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	Starline is good stuff. it was likely the loader didn't expand the mouth enough.

May 18, 2008, 06:09 AM	#4
xtargeeter Member Join Date: November 25, 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 58	I've used Starline in a variety of calibers with both jacketed and cast bullets. No problems at all.