brand new 357 mag cases ?

rebs · January 9, 2014, 02:57 PM

I recently got a great deal on some brand new unprimed Winchester 357 mag cases. Since they are brand new and never even had a primer in them, do they need to be sized before loading them ?

mmb713 · January 9, 2014, 03:21 PM

I always size new cases just to be sure neck tension will be correct and the cases are true. The primer punch in the sizing die will also ensure there is no debris in the flash holes. They will still need to be expanded no matter what.

WESHOOT2 · January 9, 2014, 03:32 PM

Absolutely positively yes; all new cases should be first sized to ensure conformity, and a decap pin run through to ensure a hole.

mnoirot64 · January 9, 2014, 03:36 PM

Like the other OPs, I always size my new brass. It really doesn't add any time as I am using a progressive press.

WESHOOT2 · January 9, 2014, 03:38 PM

Since I consider sizing/depriming part of every load, it adds no time

LE-28 · January 9, 2014, 06:53 PM

Yes, you need to size them, then trim them to all the same length so your roll crimps will all be consistent. You won't need to trim them every time you reload them unless your OCD about your ammunition like I am. If you don't resize them and use powder like 2400 or H110 you will not have sufficient neck tension for the powder to build pressure and completely burn despite of the crimp you use. You will have a lot of unburnt powder left in your pistol and will have erratic ignition of the powder. POI will be all over the place and you could even have, with H110, a brown smoke cloud the size of a small car in front of you on firing.

So, Yes they need resized.

Ask me how I know!

It wouldn't hurt to chamfer the inside of the mouths, after trimming also , especially if you are using lead or plated bullets.

Trimming usually leaves a wire edge on the inside of the mouth that could cut through the plating from the crimping process or with lead bullets, leave a deposit of lead on top of the mouth of a case, affecting the head spacing of the .357 by causing the case to not fully go into the cylinder of a revolver.

With jacketed it's not so much of a problem but I always chamfer them the first time they are trimmed to head off any problems.

I know trimming is a pain in the a$$ but it should be done after resizing them for the first time.

Nick_C_S · January 9, 2014, 07:00 PM

I just wish I could find new Winchester 357 brass

Nick_C_S · January 9, 2014, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Absolutely positively yes; all new cases should be first sized to ensure conformity, and a decap pin run through to ensure a hole.

I came from a time when the notion of purchasing new brass would be absurd. "What'd ya mean 'buy brass'!!?? Just get it from factory loads and all that stuff laying around on the ground at the range." I remember scooping the stuff up at will, never giving it a second thought.

Times have changed.

That said, my experience with purchased new brass is limited - but becoming less 'limited' very quickly. So far, I've just flaired my new cases and loaded them. Weshoot2 - and others on this thread - make a good argument for sizing.

Learn something every day. Thanks folks.

LE-28 · January 9, 2014, 07:16 PM

Quote:

I just wish I could find new Winchester 357 brass

I was lucky enough to find some new Remington brass and I was bracing myself for what I would find when I opened the bags.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that it all was in perfect condition and OAL mik-ed out within +or - .002".

I checked the wall thickness and it was the same as the other three brands of brass I already had, including Winchester. Weight was also close enough that I didn't pay any more mind to it.

I was pretty well dumb founded by the quality of this particular lot of brass. And I say "particular lot of brass" from Remington.

I couldn't find anything wrong with it at all. I'm very pleased.

Nick_C_S · January 9, 2014, 07:29 PM

Quote:

I was lucky enough to find some new Remington brass.

Me too - about a month ago. I haven't touched them yet. But I will resize, caliper (trim if needed), chamfer, deburr, and flair.

Got 300 of them. Need about 5 times that.

LE-28 · January 9, 2014, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Need about 5 times that

Yea, me to, but couldn't afford them at $29.00/hundred. I was used to paying about $19.00/hundred, Got my eyes opened in a hurry.

Nick_C_S · January 9, 2014, 07:39 PM

That day, there were 6 bags at my LGS. I saw them, and intended to buy them all. I walked about 15 feet down the aisle to grab a basket, and by the time I returned, a guy standing nearby grabbed 3 of them. And he knew my intention too.

It's okay. Share and share alike. But how it unfolded miffed me a little bit - just a little. It's all good.

rclark · January 9, 2014, 08:02 PM

I always resize (and chamfer) new brass. As said above it makes them all 'uniform'... Otherwise you don't know what you have.

I usually buy bulk directly from Starline.

rebs · January 10, 2014, 08:07 AM

I bought this Winchester 357 mag unprimed new brass from a guy that belongs to our club for $25.00 for 400. I didn't find it anywhere retail.

mehavey · January 10, 2014, 11:56 AM

"Always" resize new cases -- be they rifle or pistol, inexpensive or El-Supremo brand.
It insures reloading uniformity from the git-go

January 9, 2014, 02:57 PM	#1
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	brand new 357 mag cases ? I recently got a great deal on some brand new unprimed Winchester 357 mag cases. Since they are brand new and never even had a primer in them, do they need to be sized before loading them ?

January 9, 2014, 03:36 PM	#4
mnoirot64 Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2013 Location: Clarksville, Tennessee Posts: 365	Like the other OPs, I always size my new brass. It really doesn't add any time as I am using a progressive press. __________________ Michael Noirot Life Member - NRA Clarksville, Tennessee

January 9, 2014, 03:38 PM	#5
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	4th dimension Since I consider sizing/depriming part of every load, it adds no time

January 9, 2014, 07:00 PM	#7
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,618	I just wish I could find new Winchester 357 brass __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

January 9, 2014, 07:39 PM	#12
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,618	That day, there were 6 bags at my LGS. I saw them, and intended to buy them all. I walked about 15 feet down the aisle to grab a basket, and by the time I returned, a guy standing nearby grabbed 3 of them. And he knew my intention too. It's okay. Share and share alike. But how it unfolded miffed me a little bit - just a little. It's all good. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

January 9, 2014, 03:21 PM	#2
mmb713 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2011 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 421	I always size new cases just to be sure neck tension will be correct and the cases are true. The primer punch in the sizing die will also ensure there is no debris in the flash holes. They will still need to be expanded no matter what.

January 9, 2014, 03:32 PM	#3
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Absolutely positively yes; all new cases should be first sized to ensure conformity, and a decap pin run through to ensure a hole.

January 9, 2014, 06:53 PM	#6
LE-28 Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 759	Yes, you need to size them, then trim them to all the same length so your roll crimps will all be consistent. You won't need to trim them every time you reload them unless your OCD about your ammunition like I am. If you don't resize them and use powder like 2400 or H110 you will not have sufficient neck tension for the powder to build pressure and completely burn despite of the crimp you use. You will have a lot of unburnt powder left in your pistol and will have erratic ignition of the powder. POI will be all over the place and you could even have, with H110, a brown smoke cloud the size of a small car in front of you on firing. So, Yes they need resized. Ask me how I know! It wouldn't hurt to chamfer the inside of the mouths, after trimming also , especially if you are using lead or plated bullets. Trimming usually leaves a wire edge on the inside of the mouth that could cut through the plating from the crimping process or with lead bullets, leave a deposit of lead on top of the mouth of a case, affecting the head spacing of the .357 by causing the case to not fully go into the cylinder of a revolver. With jacketed it's not so much of a problem but I always chamfer them the first time they are trimmed to head off any problems. I know trimming is a pain in the a$$ but it should be done after resizing them for the first time.

January 9, 2014, 08:02 PM	#13
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,650	I always resize (and chamfer) new brass. As said above it makes them all 'uniform'... Otherwise you don't know what you have. I usually buy bulk directly from Starline. __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king.

January 10, 2014, 08:07 AM	#14
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	I bought this Winchester 357 mag unprimed new brass from a guy that belongs to our club for $25.00 for 400. I didn't find it anywhere retail.

January 10, 2014, 11:56 AM	#15
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 7,209	"Always" resize new cases -- be they rifle or pistol, inexpensive or El-Supremo brand. It insures reloading uniformity from the git-go