I've been reloading rifle cartridges for some time now, but about to start reloading for the 357 for the first time and need to get some brass. When time allows, I'd like to order some Starline brass as I like it for my 45/70 so I presume their 357 brass is also very good.

How is the Winchester and Remington brass ? I guess my question should ask.... for you experienced 357 reloaders, is there much difference in quality ?

Regards, Vic

All I can tell you is that I've reloaded some Remington .357 brass nine times without losing any to splits.

Bye
Jack

Never had a problem with W-W or Rem brass for any handgun loads.

.357
I have used Federal, WW, and Remington here. I buy them in bulk when I've found them on sale. I sort them to lots of 50 and keep them together that way. They all seem to last about the same.

I size, then trim all before first loading. Some will split on first firing. The rest of that "lot" may run a long time?

I have not tried Starline for .357.

I have NOT found any advantage to nickle plated cases. I would not buy them "on purpose." I have a buttload of them in .38 special. I observe that they split "sooner" than non-plated.

The .357 is a fun, easy cartridge to load for.

Cheezywan

i have mostly federal .357 cases because that is what i bought as factory loads..... i have found that i like plain brass over nickel plated too...... what are you planning to use for a pet load ??

i have mostly federal .357 cases because that is what i bought as factory loads..... i have found that i like plain brass over nickel plated too...... what are you planning to use for a pet load ??

I'm not sure just yet. I'll start with plinking loads and work up. I've purchased Blue Dot and H110 for my reloading. I inherited a bunch of casting equipment and plan to eventually shoot cast bullets a fair amount. Among the inherited "stuff" is a coffee can of cast wadcutters and semi-wadcutters that I'll probably start with. I'm not sure of the weights of these bullets are yet. I'll probably load some jacketed stuff.....maybe some 125 gr loads.

Regards, Vic

check your other thread on .357 mag powder.... i'd move it here but i'm ALMOST computer illiterate............

The only differences I've found is when you're loading the 180gr bullets. The brass from some manufacturers will buckle out when you load such bullets in it. I'm told it's because the .357 Magnum cartridge wasn't really meant to handle such long bullets.
I can't even remember which brands had that problem, but I think the thread I or Uncruel started about it is probably still around here.

The brass from some manufacturers will buckle out when you load such bullets in it...
I've had this trouble reloading A-Merc brand .45ACP.

.

http://www.shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=26378&highlight=case+buckle

Here's the thread I was talking about. It was the Remington brass we had trouble with.

How is the Winchester and Remington brass ? I guess my question should ask.... for you experienced 357 reloaders, is there much difference in quality ?
Vic,
In my experience, not much difference in quality among the popular brands. Things that shorten case life are similar to that found in rifle brass, e.g. hot loads, over-expanded case mouths, and excessive crimp. Would suggest you stay away from nickel plated brass as the nickel can separate from the brass case and score dies after extensive firing and resizing.

Have used .357 brass from Remington, Winchester, Federal, and PMC. All will provide good service if not excessively stressed. Usually the first sign of case failure is a neck split and these cases should be discarded.