Can't go wrong with a Dillon either, I bought a 550B around 1995 when I was shooting comp matches alot. I sold it around 2005, still regret that.
It really is!Great post. Casting, too, is a hobby in itself.
AA
Until it splits!! I read of some guys on the reloading fora that load major and they have used brass a dozen times or more.I know there will some variance, but how many reloads can one expect to get out of good handgun brass? Will you get less reloads of a .357 magnum vs. .38 special, or are the cases made thicker?
ThanksUntil it splits!! I read of some guys on the reloading fora that load major and they have used brass a dozen times or more.
Bought some used 38 spl a few years ago and have reloaded them at least 5 times, and have had maybe some 3-5 cases that split in total. So not many. For 357 mag I nought new Starline brass and this is as good as one can get.
I’ve encountered plenty of 38spl, some 357mag and a handful of 45acp cases that are just plain worn out and never failed by splitting. 38/357 nickel plating nearly 100%worn away. All 3 calibers I’ve experienced them worn to the point the case walls are so thin they are unable to retain a projectile after sizing.Thanks
Thanks. I was about to get all anal about keeping track of how many reloads with color coded boxes and such.I’ve encountered plenty of 38spl, some 357mag and a handful of 45acp cases that are just plain worn out and never failed by splitting. 38/357 nickel plating nearly 100%worn away. All 3 calibers I’ve experienced them worn to the point the case walls are so thin they are unable to retain a projectile after sizing.
But yes, straight walled pistol cartridges get loaded til they fail which is 98% of the time a split.
Probably won’t get too crazy.Not a bad idea to anneal the 1/4 around the case mouth, but most people don't bother with pistol. They'd probably go a very long time if you did.
357 (or really anything) will depend how hard you hotrod it. If you are hotrodding it you may loosen the primer pockets well before you split the necks.