357 magnum coal question

[Big-bore-bob]

Hi all, I just got done loading a hundred 357 rounds with 158gr xtp's over a 15.6gr charge of h110. I've loaded this combo before with good results at a coal of 1.575, however the lock ring on the seater die must have come loose since the last time it was used and my new coal is 1.571-1.573. Will the reduced overall length cause me any pressure issues? How bad did I just mess up? Thanks in advance for any advice! BTW my revolver is a sw 686+ 4in.

 

[buck460XVR]

Didn't you crimp in the middle of the cannelure?

 

[fxvr5]

First, check your coal. I hope you mean they were loaded to 1.575, not 1.275.

 

[Big-bore-bob]

Didn't you crimp in the middle of the cannelure?

Upper 1/3. I did mean 1.575 sorry.

 

[fxvr5]

That much shorter coal should not make a significant difference. That's within the range of normal variation.

 

[buck460XVR]

Upper 1/3.

In a revolver using cannelured bullets , your COL is always what it is after crimping in the cannelure. Center, lower or upper 1/3, no difference.

 

[Big-bore-bob]

That's within the range of normal variation

Thanks for the reply, I figured I'd be ok but this is a max load per hornady and their coal is 1.59 I believe, so I needed a sanity check before I shoot these and possibly damage my gun.

 

[Walkalong]

good results at a coal of 1.575, however the lock ring on the seater die must have come loose since the last time it was used and my new coal is 1.571-1.573. Will the reduced overall length cause me any pressure issues?

Not a big enough change to worry about. Many of my OALs will have a .005 spread. Forgetaboutit......go shoot them.

 

[Walkalong]

That much shorter coal should not make a significant difference. That's within the range of normal variation.

Exactly.

 

[LV Gun]

Hi all, I just got done loading a hundred 357 rounds with 158gr xtp's over a 15.6gr charge of h110. I've loaded this combo before with good results at a coal of 1.575, however the lock ring on the seater die must have come loose since the last time it was used and my new coal is 1.571-1.573. Will the reduced overall length cause me any pressure issues? How bad did I just mess up? Thanks in advance for any advice! BTW my revolver is a sw 686+ 4in.

Go shoot them that difference will not be a problem and enjoy the blasts.

 

[IWAC]

Just remember...a human hair is about .003". Reloads may be longer or shorter than that due to manufacturing allowances. 1.590" keeps the 357 cartridges inside the chamber so they won't interfere with the barrel end, and tie up the whole business. That COL is good for all 357s, except for one or two that have been around since Elmer. Hopefully, more modern revolvers don't have the "problem". Bullets with Cannnelures can be safely crimped in the middle of the cannelures, and shot if the COL isn't too long.

 

[gwpercle]

Thanks for the reply, I figured I'd be ok but this is a max load per hornady and their coal is 1.59 I believe, so I needed a sanity check before I shoot these and possibly damage my gun.

Reguardless of measured COAL ... you still want to put your crimp in/on the bullet cannelure .
Case length will change the COAL slightly . There is a minimum case length and a maximum case length . usually not all cases are the exact samed trim to length and this is where the variations in COAL crop up[ ... longer case = longer coal measurement , shorter case = shorter coal measurement ... but that amount of variation is perfectly fine ... it's Okay !
If your cases are trimmed to 357 tolerances and your crimp is in/on the bullet cannelure then you are good to go ... even if COAL is slightly different from the book measurement ...
Gary