.357 case?

[gahunter12]

I have about 150 .357 cases that I have picked up at the range. My wife shoots .38spl. I would like to cut the .357 cases down to load as 38spl. What all do I need to do to trim them down?

 

[loadedround]

You are asking for trouble doing so. New 38 Special cases are very inexpensive; so why not buy several hundred cases and load them normally. Give those 357 cases to someone who could use them.

 

[gahunter12]

Thanks. That's why I asked. I have about 2500 38spl cases out in the shop, but figured I could put them to good use.

 

[Steve C]

By the time you buy a case trimmer and spend the time cutting down the .357 mag case to .38 spl you'll wind up spending 3X the cost of new .38 spl brass to use that "free" range brass.

Better off keeping it if you may ever buy a .357 mag; sell it, or trade it off to someone for .38 spl brass.

 

[Josh45]

Agree with everyone else here.
Use the .357 for some practice, Sell them or trade them.
And since you have about 2500 pieces of .38 Spcl, I wouldn't be to concerned for some time for that brass

 

[mbopp]

I used to do that to my 357 cases if the necks were split less than 1/8". I modified my case trimmer to a cordless drill for making 357 Herrett brass from 30-30 cases.
But then I decided it was too much of a PIA for the return. And the cut-down cases were heavier than 38SPL cases, indicating less internal volume.

 

[Wildbillz]

At the prices of 357Mag brass you will do better to sell it or trade it off.

WB

 

[Salmoneye]

Trade em...

 

[gahunter12]

I think I may just try loading them as light .357 loads or trade them when I get a few more. My wife's carry gun is a .357/38spl. I could load them as a medium load for her to get practice with a hoter load than her bunny fart 38spl loads. Heading to the range now to send some lead down range! Thanks!

 

[CSA 357]

well the trouble starts when at some time these short 357 cases are loaded to 357 specs i wouldnt do it not even worth the trouble

 

[Walkalong]

At the prices of 357Mag brass you will do better to sell it or trade it off.

Agreed.

It is a great deal of trouble to trim them that much, and they are worth more than .38 Spl cases. I am sure folks would trade you, and might trade you more than 150 .38s for your 150 .357s. Heck, I would.

 

[Sport45]

Just toss 'em in a bucket and keep them. One of these days you'll have a .357mag and will be wanting brass...

 

[rcmodel]

Yep.

If you don't have a .357 yet and like guns, you will.

rc

 

[bubbacrabb]

For 5 dollars you can put em in a small flat rate box and send them to me, ill send you 200 38 special brass. Let me know if you want to trade. 150 for 200. I'm tryin to get my 357 brass up and not load 38 much anymore

 

[kingmt]

well the trouble starts when at some time these short 357 cases are loaded to 357 specs i wouldnt do it not even worth the trouble

I think you would notice when you seat the bullet to the correct OAL that the jacket was short if you got that far.

Why not load her 357 for carry. If she needs it she won't care how much it kicks.

 

[germ]

I think you would notice when you seat the bullet to the correct OAL that the jacket was short if you got that far...

The problem with this theory is assuming that everyone actually checks the OAL. I think that many don't for revolvers. If the bullet has a cannelure, they'll seat to that, and if the case says 357 they may not be inclined to check the case length. Yeah, a potential disaster is foreseeable, especially if those cases wind up in someone elses hands.

 

[kingmt]

It should be a given but I bet they would start.

 

[Hondo 60]

Please don't cut the brass.
The head stamp still says 357.
If you cut 'em & then (you or someone else) tries to load 'em to full .357
That's just a disaster & lawsuit waiting to happen.

Sounds like you need a new gun.