358W chamber problems??

[Marlin Junky]

I would appreciated some input from other .358W owners.

If there's anyone out there with some fired .358 WW brass on hand, could you please measure the outside neck diameter?

I'm splitting case necks after only a few firings with mild loads and suspect the culprit is simply a crappy batch of WW cases.

Thank you,
MJ

[chboats]

MJ I don't have a 358W, so I can't answer your question. Have you annealed the necks? If you haven't that may help. What is the difference between your fired case and sized case neck diameters? You may be working the brass a lot.

I had the same problem with a 308. My die was sizing the neck to an inside diameter of .304, then I was expanding it back out to .309. Modified the die to only size the neck to .308/9 and annealed the necks. Problem went away.

Carl

Carl

[Marlin Junky]

My suspicion about the WW brass is warranted although my Lee FL sizer is also suspect. Before I anneal my case necks (the manufacturers job!), I'm going to purchase a better quality FL sizing die. I located a SAAMI .358 Win drawing and it appears the Ruger's chamber is within spec. I had this problem with recently manufactured Winchester brand 30-30 brass purchased a few years ago; therefore, my resolution, at least for now, is to avoid Winchester brand cartridge brass. Based on my experiences within the last 5 years or so, Remington appears to be the better buy in the "inexpensive brass" category.

MJ

[Marlin Junky]

I had a batch of RP 8x57mm brass that split for me. I DID expand it to 9mm, so 9x57mm, but numerous necks split on the first firing. Just the opposite of those, the RP 30-40 Krags that I expanded to .410" were fine. The only losses I had were less than 2% that split during the initial expanding, and those typically had dents or creases prior to expanding.

OK, but that's a bit different scenario. I'm talking about brand new Winchester brand 358W cases that are loosing their "temper" in the neck after a few shots with mild loads. I haven't checked the neck wall thickness; however, my impression is, they are somewhat thin.

I really think it's the Winchester brand brass because I also have a 350 Ruger that I've fired as much, if not more than, the 358 and I'm still working on my original supplies of cartridge brass for both guns (I purchased 100 pieces for each). The Remington brand 350 brass is still in like-new condition and also has been used exclusively with the cheepo Lee dies. I have a feeling trying to replace the Lee FL die (which has been polished out) would be a futile attempt at rectifying the situation... especially since I can't find a better die in stock anywhere!

MJ

[451whitworth]

my fired 358 Win brass outside neck diameter is .393" from my Savage 99R.

[shooter93]

I think you may be right about the brass MJ although 358 Win is one of the batch run cases so I doubt the current hurry up economy is the cause. The Ruger chambe while "within spec" could also be large which is far more common than people think. If you're going to get a new die you may want to call CH and see what they charge for a die made for your chamber with minimum sizing. They do make anything and at times their pricing is VERY reasonable. Worth a call.

[Marlin Junky]

my fired 358 Win brass outside neck diameter is .393" from my Savage 99R.

Thank you for the information... that's fat! SAAMI diameter for a 358W neck is .391" at the shoulder junction to .389" at the mouth.

MJ

[Marlin Junky]

I think you may be right about the brass MJ although 358 Win is one of the batch run cases so I doubt the current hurry up economy is the cause. The Ruger chambe while "within spec" could also be large which is far more common than people think. If you're going to get a new die you may want to call CH and see what they charge for a die made for your chamber with minimum sizing. They do make anything and at times their pricing is VERY reasonable. Worth a call.

Thanks for the tip but I think I'm going to shoot this rifle this summer 'til I'm tired of it and rebarrel it this fall... I've never really liked the 1:12" twist.

MJ

[451whitworth]

Thank you for the information... that's fat! SAAMI diameter for a 358W neck is .391" at the shoulder junction to .389" at the mouth.

MJ well, i shoot my bullets @ .361" so it's bound to be bigger.

[Marlin Junky]

well, i shoot by bullets @ .361" so it's bound to be bigger.

I'd be shooting .361" boolits too if my RCBS 35-200FN and collection of sizers would allow it. My boolits are more like .3595-.3605" around the circumference. BTW, even if you shoot .361" boolits, you've got room for .015" thick case necks. Are you custom configuring your brass; i.e., shortening and turning '06 brass?

I split another 2 cases this morning... I've gotta find some 7.62 Nato match brass, I guess.

MJ

[Pilgrim]

What is your grief with 1:12 twist? My rebarreled BLR has that twist and I'm happy as can be with it's performance.

[451whitworth]

I'd be shooting .361" boolits too if my RCBS 35-200FN and collection of sizers would allow it. My boolits are more like .3595-.3605" around the circumference. BTW, even if you shoot .361" boolits, you've got room for .015" thick case necks. Are you custom configuring your brass; i.e., shortening and turning '06 brass?

I split another 2 cases this morning... I've gotta find some 7.62 Nato match brass, I guess.

MJ
No Sir, no custom configured brass. Just factory Winchester brass expanded with a homemade expander plug of RCBS style in a RCBS expander die body. In any bottle neck case i reload cast bullets in i turn a RCBS style neck expander on the lathe either .001" under or actual bullet diameter. In the 358 WCF i use a .361"(same as bullet diameter) expander as the bigger diameter give plenty of surface area in the neck for tension and easy, damage free hand seating. I then use a Lee factory crimp die to give it a gentle squeeze to remove the belled neck.

[Shuz]

my fired 358 Win brass outside neck diameter is .393" from my Savage 99R.

My fired .358 Win R-P brass from my pre-81 Browning BLR measures .389 to .390. This was from a load of 23g of 2400 and an RCBS 35-200. Vel was 1850 fps.

[MBTcustom]

Use Hornady brass, or reformed LC match.

[Marlin Junky]

Use Hornady brass, or reformed LC match.

10-4, yah know where I can get some? :lol:

MJ

[MBTcustom]

Contact LoveLife, or Balkandom. They sell LC brass. Good stuff.

[Fluxed]

Or you could just anneal the brass you have.
Won't take that long and the cost is very near zero.

[runfiverun]

the batch of 358 win Winchester brass I got I'll either just go ahead and make 308 brass from it, or save it for some jaxkeed 125 gr pistol bullets.
I necked some down to 308 and it just pushed all the uneven thicknesses back down where they belonged.
I am pretty sure Winchester is just necking 308 brass up and putting the 358 head stamp on it.

[Marlin Junky]

Hey... I just got an idea because I think I've got some unfired Remington brand (is there another?) 35 Whelen brass.

Has anyone ever run virgin 35 Whelen brass through their .358W FL sizer? If so, was the outcome favorable, or did it evolve into neck turning madness... or even worse... case shoulder collapse.

MJ