Hornady Critical Defense .357 brass

[El Guero]

I have some of the Hornady .357 nickle brass from a box of Critical Defense that I've been doing some shooting on. Interestingly, it's all pretty short! My Hornady manual lists the trim length for .357 to be 1.28", but I just mic'd all of these Critical Defense cases to be between 1.245-1.25".

I guess my question is, are these safe to run max loads in, or do they need to be reduced a little?

 

[ReloaderFred]

Almost all current Hornady handgun brass runs short. At least all I've seen. Just load to the correct OAL and they'll load just fine, however the crimp may not be in the crimping groove, depending on the bullet you use.

Reloading data is developed according to the volume of the case with a particular case and bullet combination, hence the OAL listed for most data.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[beatledog7]

Hornady .223 brass runs short, too.

 

[joneb]

My Hornady manual lists the trim length for .357 to be 1.28", but I just mic'd all of these Critical Defense cases to be between 1.245-1.25".

IIRC I trim my .357 mag. brass to 1.275-1.278". It is the golden rule in reloading to start low and work up.

 

[Mike 27]

I read on Starlines site they have shorter brass than most as well to limit the need for trimming. Don't know if Hornady is doing the same but it sounds like it. It's in their FAQ section talking about the trim length.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

A lot of the Hornady brass is slightly short to compensate for the polymer tips they use on their bullets. They have to be sure their ammo isn't too long so they shorten their brass slightly.

 

[gamestalker]

I run them through the die and they usually stretch just enough to trim them all pretty close in length, and then I just stuff them full of H110 or 296 and then stick a 125 gr. or 158 gr. jacketed something in them. The next time around they have stretched enough to be able to trim within SAAMI range.

 

[briantf]

>>>
A lot of the Hornady brass is slightly short to compensate for the polymer tips they use on their bullets.
>>>

And that is a right PITA for 450 Marlin. WHEN they bother to make the brass, THEN they force you to cut it down like crazy. Thanks.....

They seem overly willing to cook the books to make their new shiny idea that's been around for ages "work" properly. But, hey, they finally released their magic powder that lets the 204 Ruger work without coppering the barrel........or not.

They're kind of bumming me out, I REALLY like the V-Max, A-Max and XTP lines, but the corporate leadership seems broken.

 

[Risasi]

I wouldn't typically necro a thread...

...but this seems pertinent. I recently discovered that the Hornady Critical Defense cases were short. I'm phasing out the Gold Dots and looking for a new defensive carry load.
Typically I just ditch the nickel plated cases, but I noticed it was short sitting next to an empty case from a Winchester Super-X, so I got the calibers out.

After sizing I was pleased to find that they are remarkably close to the chosen trim length I use on my Keith 170gr loads; 1.25". I started doing this a couple years ago because I didn't like using 38 spl brass anymore, in the event they ended up in someone's J-Frame someday.

So I'm happy to have found an easy way to differentiate my Keith woods loads from the rest of my loads using the same bullet, but that might not be as hot.


Plus now I feel like the Lone Ranger...

 

[gamestalker]

All of the Hornady brass I've ever used has been short. Just load em up, but make sure you adjust the seat / crimp die for the shorter case, so your crimp will be right.

GS