.357 Magnum case length and wall thickness

[breadhead]

Hello everyone,

I am new to reloading. I bought 200 357 magnum cases at a local gun show. I started measuring case length and discovered that approx. 70% of the cases measure 1.262"-1.269". The remaining 30% measure 1.270"-1.276". From the reloading manual I see a max. length of 1.290", trim to 1.280". I get wall thickness averaging .010"-.012". It seems there is something wrong here. Opinions? Help? Thank you so much!

Jim

 

[acloco]

Pictures of casemouths please.

 

[jcm800]

If it's mixed headstamp it's not that unusual, buy the same make if you want consistency. Trim to 1.265 for consistent roll crimp. Starline is some of the best. Some Win 38+p I have average .010 + - .0002 walls.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Size'em, prime'em, powder'em, seat a bullet, remove the case mouth bell, shoot'em! This is not precision match rifle ammo.

Frank

 

[K22]

If it's mixed headstamp it's not that unusual, buy the same make if you want consistency. Trim to 1.265 for consistent roll crimp. Starline is some of the best. Some Win 38+p I have average .010 + - .0002 walls.

What jcm 800 said.

 

[SSL]

Trim to 1.265 for consistent roll crimp.

THIS^^^^!

 

[breadhead]

Thanks guys! I will give it a go.

Jim

 

[divingin]

Headspaces off the rim, so length isn't really critical unless you're going to crimp your reloads, where it will affect consistency. Too short is generally better than too long.

 

[JSH]

The only finicky 357 I have is my FA silhouette gun, it is worth every minute I spend with it and a pleasure to shoot.

Ditto on Starline comments. It stands my heavy loads exceptionally well.