And that is exactly the factory ammo I've been using. What CP and a few others have mentioned, it seems the Federal brass has a history of being softer and stretching. Guess I might be buying Starline mighty soon. Dang!CP: wrote:I am experiencing some case stretching with Federal brass as well. My brass originated from inexpensive Federal American Eagle ammunition, so I am not really surprised. CP.
Spring has sprung. Get out and shoot your Henry
.357 cases stretching?
- Rifletom
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Re: .357 cases stretching?
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- JEBar
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Re: .357 cases stretching?
Rifletom wrote:Guess I might be buying Starline mighty soon. Dang!
I still have and load late 60's early 70's 357 brass ... mostly Winchester and Remington .... biggest issue has proven to be with nickle plated brass that eventually eventually has easily observable cracks from the open end .... we now only purchase Starline brass .... Starline's walls don't seem to be as thick and certainly not as stiff as the old Winchester and Remington brass but the serve really well
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- Rifletom
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Re: .357 cases stretching?
Copy that JEBar. The others I've measured haven't stretched. Only Federal brass seems to be doing this.
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- Rifletom
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Re: .357 cases stretching?
**Update** Went to the desert Wed and shot a good number of .357 and .45 Colt rounds. All handloads. All the .357 rounds shot very good with a couple of different powders AND different cases. The Federal cases stretched again to 1.290" +.
The PPU and R-P cases, not at all, staying at 1.280". The Colt all had Starline brass and behaved as I had hoped. Both rifles were very accurate at the measured 75 yards hitting the steel gongs. Those dang Federal cases are giving me fits. But, I'm pretty sure it is NOT the rifle. Starline brass for the .357 coming up.
The PPU and R-P cases, not at all, staying at 1.280". The Colt all had Starline brass and behaved as I had hoped. Both rifles were very accurate at the measured 75 yards hitting the steel gongs. Those dang Federal cases are giving me fits. But, I'm pretty sure it is NOT the rifle. Starline brass for the .357 coming up.
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- Rifletom
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Re: .357 cases stretching?
Late up-date here. I talked to Jeff at Henry Arms Monday and he said that as long as the cases are in spec, I'm good to go
As per Henry's policy, he did not recommend handloads, but, understands that a number of shooters do just that. So, I'll trim these Federal cases once and see what they do after a couple times. At least it isn't the rifle!
As per Henry's policy, he did not recommend handloads, but, understands that a number of shooters do just that. So, I'll trim these Federal cases once and see what they do after a couple times. At least it isn't the rifle!
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Re: .357 cases stretching?
I have reloaded my Federal America Eagle 357 brass three times and have no pressure rings or lose primer pockets with any of the pieces. But, I had to trim on the first and third loading. CP.
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- Ojaileveraction
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Re: .357 cases stretching?
How hot were the loads?CP: wrote:I have reloaded my Federal America Eagle 357 brass three times and have no pressure rings or lose primer pockets with any of the pieces. But, I had to trim on the first and third loading. CP.
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Pax at Justitia
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Re: .357 cases stretching?
That is Hornady's max but more that a grain below the max for Hodgdon.CP: wrote:158 gr. XPTs over 15.5 grs. of H110...
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Pax at Justitia
Re: .357 cases stretching?
I am aware of Hodgson’s and other max H-110 loading numbers, but running 15.5 grs suits my needs just fine.
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