.357 Magnum COL

[RealGun]

I did my first .357 magnum last evening and found that to get a good alignment with the cannelure of 125 gr XTP HP and using an average case trim length of 1.280 (didn't case trim) I was getting a COL of 1.690 instead of the book's 1.590. After crimping, the cannelure is barely detectable under magnification, so I believe the bullet is fully inserted to its intended alignment with the case mouth.

Am I okay here? I appreciate that the pressure may be low, but they dropped easily enough in my cylinder and compared pretty directly with purchased ammo COL.

On another note, I sorted out nickel plated cases that were way shorter than the 1.280 case trim length of brass. These apparently are the 1.240 trim length cases mentioned for use with 140 gr FTX bullets. So I'm just sayin' to watch out for those nickel plated jobbies. Might want to set those aside.

 

[Comrade Mike]

You're fine, the manual spec is an absolute minimum. Long as the cannelure is lined up, Shoot and enjoy!

 

[Walkalong]

Seat them to the cannelure and crimp into the middle (Deepest part) of the cannelure. That OAL is the right one for that bullet. As long as they are not too long for the cylinder you are good to go.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=6656703&postcount=81

 

[gamestalker]

With wheel gun cartridges that utilize a roll crimp into a canelure, just crimp into the canelure. You really don't need to measure OAL with these type cartridges, and should be more concerned with producing a proper roll crimp that prevents bullet jump under recoil. And if you are loading magnum performing rounds, make sure you try to crimp just over the bottom edge of the canelure, this is to prevent the bullet from jumping free of the crimp.
It's a completely different process with rimless cartridges such as 9mm .40 cal. and other AL types. These type cartridges are OAL sensitive, yet inducing a heavy crimp does nothing to improve neck tension with them.
GS

 

[Jesse Heywood]

As long as they are not too long for the cylinder you are good to go.

There are some revolvers that use a maximum length of 1.600. So make sure your cylinder will turn.

 

[RealGun]

I have embarrassingly discovered that I was reading the calipers as 1.69 instead of the actual 1.569. Looks like I can afford to center the crimp a little better into the crimp groove.

Thanks for all the interest and efforts.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Don't worry. Everyone makes that mistake at least once. But not that many will admit it!