Simple method to cut down cases?

[harringtondav]

I hope this is the correct forum.
I have a surplus of .357 mag cases and a shortage of .38 special cases. So I'd like to shorten some of the .357 brass.
I'm looking for an economical way to cut the long cases. I don't own a lathe and can't justify a special machine.
My best guess is to make a mandrel, spin the cases in my drill press with a center in a vise to support the case heads, and use a hack saw to cut them to rough length. I'd set up a height block for the saw. Then trim the cases to length.
...I can put a drill chuck on my radial arm saw's arbor, but it would be complicated rigging up an outboard support.

Any better suggestions will be appreciated.

[Baltimoreed]

If you have a drill press get a Lee case trimmer in .38 spcl, chuck the case holder into the press, mount the cutter in a drill press vise, line it up and clamp the vise down. Put the case in the holder and lower the unprimed .357 case onto the cutter until it stops. Raise it up and chamfer the inside and outside with your chamfering tool. Play with your press speed some to get the best cut without generating too much heat. This is how I make .45-70 into .45-60 brass for my 1876 NWMP carbine. Cheapest and easiest way I know. Good luck.

[dannyd]

Do have a 38 Special only gun if now just use the same 38 special load in the 357 case. It's only 1/10 longer because in 1935 they want you to use 357 magnum in the old 38 specials.

Loaded over 68,000 357 magnum rounds using 38 special data. Work just fine.


I have a RCBS power case trimmer that's the easiest way. The drill press and hack saw going to be painful. Did that kind of stuff before I could afford the case trimmer.

[Dieselhorses]

Do have a 38 Special only gun if now just use the same 38 special load in the 357 case. It's only 1/10 longer because in 1935 they want you to use 357 magnum in the old 38 specials.

Loaded over 68,000 357 magnum rounds using 38 special data. Work just fine.


I have a RCBS power case trimmer that's the easiest way. The drill press and hack saw going to be painful. Did that kind of stuff before I could afford the case trimmer.

^^what Danny said-works fine!^^

[gc45]

U say u don't want to spend anything so you will need to use lots of free elbow grease then. U can cut them using a dremel tool or a sharp case trimmer will do it, your not removing that much brass anyway.

[harringtondav]

Thanks.
I have a Smith Model 60 .38 spl and Model 19 .357. Years ago a law enforcement friend gave me their recipe for mild .357 wadcutter loads for indoor ranges. ...mostly a .38 spl load.

I want to load up some .38 spl +P protection loads. ...Factory ammo is essentially nonexistent and since I have all the ingredients except cases I'll make my own.

@Baltimoreed above seems to have the answer. ...I didn't know if a case trimmer could handle that much stock removal.

[dannyd]

Thanks.
I have a Smith Model 60 .38 spl and Model 19 .357. Years ago a law enforcement friend gave me their recipe for mild .357 wadcutter loads for indoor ranges. ...mostly a .38 spl load.

I want to load up some .38 spl +P protection loads. ...Factory ammo is essentially nonexistent and since I have all the ingredients except cases I'll make my own.

@Baltimoreed above seems to have the answer. ...I didn't know if a case trimmer could handle that much stock removal.

The case trimmer will but it's slow; old 357 becomes 38 special old 38 special becomes 38 long colt old 38 long colt becomes 38 short colt after that is becomes scrap. :)

[Winger Ed.]

Check out the Lee trim die for your press as another option.

You run a case up, adjust the die and lock it down.
Then run a file across the top of it.

[Walks]

I load wadcutters into tired .357Mag cases. A charge of 3.0grs of Bullseye over a #358495 works just fine. And there is no residue left in the longer chamber.
In the past I used to cut down .357Mag cases that had split mouths down to .38Spl length.
I've been using a Lyman Powered Case Trimmer since they came out about 35yrs ago. It also worked great for trimming starline. 45-2.6 down to 2.4 for necking down to
.40-82WCF.

Good Luck

And I was very surprised when those .357Mag WC loads fed so easily into a Marlin 94.

[bdicki]

I use the Harbor freight cutoff saw to cut 5.56 cases to make 300 blackout
https://www.harborfreight.com/2-in-mini-bench-top-cut-off-saw-62136.html

[BMW Rider]

I hope this is the correct forum.
I have a surplus of .357 mag cases and a shortage of .38 special cases. So I'd like to shorten some of the .357 brass

Any better suggestions will be appreciated.

When you are able, posting a trade in the S&S section - 357 for 38 brass - might be the easiest solution.

[rancher1913]

given the demand for 357 cases, you could offer to trade one for one and the other person pays freight both ways, less work on your part and two people are happy

I for one would be interested in that deal but you would need to go thru swapping and selling to be legal.

[country gent]

You could make a hard wood , plstic, or aluminum block up with a hole thru it on center with a cut on center lengthwise the length if the case from rim forward. In use slide case in to front of rim touching split up and clamp in vise. with a fine hacksaw blade cut of end protruding then finish in a trimmer. The finest blade the finest blade you can find is best 48-64 tpi. Or a jewelers saw even.

If you have a drill press one of the lee cutters will do it start to finish quickly.mount the case holders stud in a block glue and lock in with a set screw. Mount the cutter and stud in the chuck case in the shell holder and the stud has the length stop built into it so just trim down and go. This is pretty quick and precise. You will want a brush or canned air to clear chips with as they will build up fast

[Hick]

Do you have a hand-held belt sander? I use a belt sander clamped in a vise. take a little piece of PVC pipe and cut it to the length you want and stick the 357 magnum case in it. Run it against the belt sander for a few seconds then clean up the mouth. Quick, easy and cheap.

[Hick]

Do you have a hand-held belt sander? I use a belt sander clamped in a vise. take a little piece of PVC pipe and cut it to the length you want and stick the 357 magnum case in it. Run it against the belt sander for a few seconds then clean up the mouth. Quick, easy and cheap. I do then same thing to trim all my brass-- either a piece of pipe or a case gauge.

[Sig556r]

rancher1913 got a good point. Lotsa folks are willing to trade their 38spl for your 357mag unless you really cherish your headstamp worth all the trimming troubles.

[Sasquatch-1]

293418

I use this method. I have a Lee 3 jaw universal case holder that I chuck in a drill. I then use a tubing cutter to cut off what I need.

I have tried the Harbor Freight saw but it tends to cut at an angle.

[sharps4590]

Work a trade if possible. Cutting back many will be a lot of work but, it will work.

The Harbor Freight cut off saw does work great but, as Sasquatch said, it will cut at an angle unless you devise a means to level up the case...which isn't difficult to do, then it's quick!

[dannyd]

293418

I use this method. I have a Lee 3 jaw universal case holder that I chuck in a drill. I then use a tubing cutter to cut off what I need.

I have tried the Harbor Freight saw but it tends to cut at an angle.

I have made 38 short colt cases that way works.

[Plate plinker]

Jeez just get your 30 post and place a WTB. There is still lots of 38sp brass around.

[cabezaverde]

I'll trade you.

[WinchesterM1]

Heck I’ll trade you some 38spl!

[harringtondav]

I'm working on it. ...but I was reminded by a forum boss they have to be 'meaningful' posts.
....so this one doesn't count.

[RogerDat]

I use the Harbor freight cutoff saw to cut 5.56 cases to make 300 blackout
https://www.harborfreight.com/2-in-mini-bench-top-cut-off-saw-62136.html

What I use for cutting 30-06 down for 8mm Mauser. Really thin cut might be a bit tougher than the amount I'm cutting off.

[Baltimoreed]

Also have a HF saw with a .223 brass to 300Hamr brass jig on it now. Works the charm. Wouldn’t be hard to fab up a jig to consistently rough cut 357 to 38 spcl but you would still have to use another tool to get them exact length and chamfered. Simplest thing would be to do some horse trading or get a lee case trimmer. I’ve a bunch of . 38 brass that I don’t need. I only reload .38 nickel. Just traded a shooter 210 pcs of 110 gr rn sp bullets for 160 gr .312 psp bullets. Only out 9.50 for s flat rate usps box.

[ndnchf]

This short video shows the jig I made for my HF chop saw. The same thing would work for .357. https://youtu.be/7unEiiPN860

[toallmy]

I'd suggest going to the helping hands section and ask if anyone could spare a hundred or so 38 cases .
Then you could pay it forward by passing on some 357 brass to someone that can use it .
A small flat rate box holds a pretty good amount of brass .

[todd9.3x57]

I use the Harbor freight cutoff saw to cut 5.56 cases to make 300 blackout
https://www.harborfreight.com/2-in-mini-bench-top-cut-off-saw-62136.html

thats what i use, but i'll make 7x57, 8x57, 9.3x57, 6.5x55, 7.65x53 and others out of 30-06 brass

[Stewbaby]

thats what i use, but i'll make 7x57, 8x57, 9.3x57, 6.5x55, 7.65x53 and others out of 30-06 brass

Yeap

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211224/3b3450e9f3144d142524e1c21657a51c.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211224/a84a5a68b986e4cc8f1e2217ee4a7918.jpg

[LaPoint]

harringtondav,

I sent you an email. I think I can help you out.

LaPoint

[10x]

If you have a drill press get a Lee case trimmer in .38 spcl, chuck the case holder into the press, mount the cutter in a drill press vise, line it up and clamp the vise down. Put the case in the holder and lower the unprimed .357 case onto the cutter until it stops. Raise it up and chamfer the inside and outside with your chamfering tool. Play with your press speed some to get the best cut without generating too much heat. This is how I make .45-70 into .45-60 brass for my 1876 NWMP carbine. Cheapest and easiest way I know. Good luck.

I chuck the length gauge and cutter in the press, Put the case in the holder and simply push the case up till it stops cutting. Goes a bit faster

[toot]

ROGER THAT- SO TRUE!! I like that enology!

[toot]

I too use 3 grs, of BULLSEYE in my 357 MAG cases for a load. not going to go into combat. and it will stop an intruder, he will not know the difference! was that a 38 SPECIAL LOAD, or 357 MAGNIUM load??

[gunluvver]

Here's a jig that makes using the HF cutoff saw much more accurate. I found it on Ebay, and it holds the cases firmly for cutting and ejects the shell when the next one is pushed in. I reformed some 30-06 into 7.65x53 and used it to cut them down to within .020", then finished with a Wilson case trimmer. They make holders in many different calibers, and I used this holder to cut down 30-06 for reforming 7x57. They are available from elite3ddesign.com .

294447

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294449

[BrassMagnet]

You are going about this wrong. Get a 38 Spl file trim die and a jewelers saw.
Full length size with a file trim die. At the top give that brass a little trim with the saw. Chamfer and load normally which does include FL sizing the case. Don't forget to lube as the file trim die is not carbide.

[farmbif]

there are lots of good ideas here,
but it all makes me wonder how long is it going to take this time till things return to normal , or will things on supply side and retail availability ever return to normal, or what is normal-i guess when you go to starline and all the most common calibers are in stock.
I remember the last big shortage of supplies h4350 was one of the last reloading products to once again be available. but if I remember correctly it took starline just over a year, maybe a year and half to get back to having everything in stock.
ok folks, sorry for the rant and getting this a bit off topic, just thinking out loud here.

[Baltimoreed]

I chuck the length gauge and cutter in the press, Put the case in the holder and simply push the case up till it stops cutting. Goes a bit faster

But then you have to mess with the case again to chamfer the mouth inside/outside. If you spin the case to make the trim, when you’ve done the trim cut just touch it with a chamfer tool and it should be ready to go. Whenever I do a repetitive job I try to make it as simple as possible and handle the work as few times as possible.

[uscra112]

Y'know, you can do a .357 cutdown to .38 pretty quickly using a manual trimmer like my Forster. The trick is to wad up a shop towel or a facecloth into a ball and use that to turn the handle. With the wadded-up cloth you can put on enough feed pressure to cut deep, and finish out the trim in a dozen turns or less. The tool has to be held down tightly to the bench. I just last week cut down 130 .22 Hornet from 1.400 to 1.125 for a .25 Stevens project. Knocking .100 off a .357 case would be child's play.

Lyman and RCBS sell similar tools, do they not?

[gnappi]

I use the Harbor freight cutoff saw to cut 5.56 cases to make 300 blackout
https://www.harborfreight.com/2-in-mini-bench-top-cut-off-saw-62136.html

Looks good to me, I'm going to get one this weekend. Ebay has sellers who made up 3D printed Jig / fixtures for this saw in many calibers. Search: "mini saw jig" in hunting.

[Glwenzl]

I have two of the harbor freight cut off saws.

One is set up with case holder(s) made by these guys with printers which are in expensive and the one I have is made for 300 blackout and functions fine.

On the other saw, I made a case holder 20 years ago. It utilizes the shaft from my Hornady cam lock case trimmer and can be adjusted very easily and precisely if you’re setting up for many different cartridges like I am. But the biggest benefit of it is that it pivots and swings back out of the way so your fingers are completely away from a saw blade… Not that I’ve had any trouble with my printed case holder, just feel more comfortable using the one I made.

[bubbadoyle]

Here's a jig that makes using the HF cutoff saw much more accurate. I found it on Ebay, and it holds the cases firmly for cutting and ejects the shell when the next one is pushed in. I reformed some 30-06 into 7.65x53 and used it to cut them down to within .020", then finished with a Wilson case trimmer. They make holders in many different calibers, and I used this holder to cut down 30-06 for reforming 7x57. They are available from elite3ddesign.com .

294447

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294449

I have this saw and it works great for making 223 into 300 blackout. I also shorten and straight wall 30-06 to 44 caliber for a different cartridge. That little saw really struggles cutting the 30-06 case off below the shoulder even though it zips right through the 223 cases.


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[Springfield]

I cut down 500 45 Colt to make my wife some C45S brass. After cutting them close with the HF chop saw I finished up with a Forster case trimmer, then tossed them all in the tumbler to take off all the rough edges. Never touched a chamfer tool.

[Chainsaw.]

Whats your address? I’ll send ya some 38 cases.