Sudden trouble reloading .357

progrmr · August 16, 2005, 06:29 PM

It's been a long time since I've reloaded for my .357.

My primers were sitting in the garage dry. I pull them out tonight after sizing 50 cases and I'm using the lee auto primer. The primers I'm using are Winchester Large Pistol for standard or magnum Pistol loads.

Problem - I think these may be the wrong primers although I swear these are the same ones I was using in the past!

I can't get the primers into the primer pocket on any of my cases.

Is it possible that the primers could have expanded over the time in the garage? No biggie if that can happen, I'll just have to get rid of them. But it doesn't seem very likely this would happen.

Anyone have any experience like this ?

mtnbkr · August 16, 2005, 06:38 PM

You should be using Small Pistol (or Small Magnum Pistol) primers.

I'm not aware of any standard 357mag brass that accepts large pistol primers.

Edit to add: How old is your brass? Early, and I mean EARLY, 357mag brass used large pistol primers, but that was back in 30s, IIRC.

Chris

progrmr · August 16, 2005, 07:00 PM

I think you're right. My brass is very new.

crap. oh well, I'll have to stop at the store tomorrow.

Ben Shepherd · August 16, 2005, 09:00 PM

Yep, all 357 brass since 1940 has small pistol pockets.

What powder are you using? Just because you're loading 357 MAGNUM doesn't mean you need MAGNUM primers.

progrmr · August 17, 2005, 11:47 AM

really?

I'm using Unique - will plain old small pistol primers work??

brickeyee · August 17, 2005, 12:06 PM

Unique is about the last powder that would need a magnum primer. Plain old small pistol will work just fine.

**Mike Irwin** · August 17, 2005, 12:54 PM

I've always used standard primers, even with powders like H110 and 296, and I've never had a problem at all.

Winchester has, I believe, dropped their small pistol magnum primers and now just offer a single type, small pistol. Not sure about large pistol.

drinks · August 17, 2005, 04:26 PM

My latest box of Win. large pistol primers says for regular and magnum .

progrmr · August 17, 2005, 06:45 PM

I think I've overcharged 11 cases.

I double checked the alliant powder website (after I started charging) - they state not to exceed their posted charge weight - which for .357 JSP is 7.8 grains for unique powder.

I'm loading Hornady HP/XTP 158gr.

I charged up to 8.9gr. How can I recover these rounds? Do I need to buy a kinetic bullet puller or something?? I know I'm going to lose the bullet, but if I can get the powder out of the case that'd be fine.

Any recommendations?

Robert M Boren Sr · August 17, 2005, 07:10 PM

If you have a inertia bullet puller use it and pull the bullets out. If you don't have one get one. I just ran that load through my QuickLoad program and that is way way too hot. Don't shoot those. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=215517

progrmr · August 17, 2005, 07:26 PM

^^ roger that.

Thanks for the confirmation. I'll keep them safe until I can get one of the bullet pullers.

At least I caught it fairly early!

T. O'Heir · August 18, 2005, 09:57 PM

"...will plain old small pistol primers work??..." Yep. You only need magnum primers for some powders. Magnum primers burn a bit hotter and a bit longer. Follow your manual religiously.

August 16, 2005, 06:29 PM	#1
progrmr Member Join Date: December 1, 2004 Posts: 40	Sudden trouble reloading .357 It's been a long time since I've reloaded for my .357. My primers were sitting in the garage dry. I pull them out tonight after sizing 50 cases and I'm using the lee auto primer. The primers I'm using are Winchester Large Pistol for standard or magnum Pistol loads. Problem - I think these may be the wrong primers although I swear these are the same ones I was using in the past! I can't get the primers into the primer pocket on any of my cases. Is it possible that the primers could have expanded over the time in the garage? No biggie if that can happen, I'll just have to get rid of them. But it doesn't seem very likely this would happen. Anyone have any experience like this ?

August 16, 2005, 09:00 PM	#4
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	Yep, all 357 brass since 1940 has small pistol pockets. What powder are you using? Just because you're loading 357 MAGNUM doesn't mean you need MAGNUM primers. __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

August 17, 2005, 04:26 PM	#8
drinks Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2004 Posts: 405	Win primers; My latest box of Win. large pistol primers says for regular and magnum .

August 16, 2005, 06:38 PM	#2
mtnbkr Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2000 Location: Manassas, Virginia Posts: 914	You should be using Small Pistol (or Small Magnum Pistol) primers. I'm not aware of any standard 357mag brass that accepts large pistol primers. Edit to add: How old is your brass? Early, and I mean EARLY, 357mag brass used large pistol primers, but that was back in 30s, IIRC. Chris

August 16, 2005, 07:00 PM	#3
progrmr Member Join Date: December 1, 2004 Posts: 40	I think you're right. My brass is very new. crap. oh well, I'll have to stop at the store tomorrow.

August 17, 2005, 11:47 AM	#5
progrmr Member Join Date: December 1, 2004 Posts: 40	really? I'm using Unique - will plain old small pistol primers work??

August 17, 2005, 12:06 PM	#6
brickeyee Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Posts: 3,351	Unique is about the last powder that would need a magnum primer. Plain old small pistol will work just fine.

August 17, 2005, 12:54 PM	#7
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	I've always used standard primers, even with powders like H110 and 296, and I've never had a problem at all. Winchester has, I believe, dropped their small pistol magnum primers and now just offer a single type, small pistol. Not sure about large pistol.

August 17, 2005, 06:45 PM	#9
progrmr Member Join Date: December 1, 2004 Posts: 40	I think I've overcharged 11 cases. I double checked the alliant powder website (after I started charging) - they state not to exceed their posted charge weight - which for .357 JSP is 7.8 grains for unique powder. I'm loading Hornady HP/XTP 158gr. I charged up to 8.9gr. How can I recover these rounds? Do I need to buy a kinetic bullet puller or something?? I know I'm going to lose the bullet, but if I can get the powder out of the case that'd be fine. Any recommendations?

August 17, 2005, 07:10 PM	#10
Robert M Boren Sr Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Location: NW Montana Posts: 269	If you have a inertia bullet puller use it and pull the bullets out. If you don't have one get one. I just ran that load through my QuickLoad program and that is way way too hot. Don't shoot those. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=215517

August 17, 2005, 07:26 PM	#11
progrmr Member Join Date: December 1, 2004 Posts: 40	^^ roger that. Thanks for the confirmation. I'll keep them safe until I can get one of the bullet pullers. At least I caught it fairly early!

August 18, 2005, 09:57 PM	#12
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...will plain old small pistol primers work??..." Yep. You only need magnum primers for some powders. Magnum primers burn a bit hotter and a bit longer. Follow your manual religiously.