357 mags w/split necks ok to trim to 38 special?

[sheepdog]

Would like to get a little extra life out of the brass.

[felix]

Perfect idea. Soft lead might get sized down too much, so test your "special" load for your accuracy requirement. ... felix

[R.C. Hatter]

:coffeecom Go right ahead, just make sure you've trimmed out all the split, and there are no loose primer pockets. I have done the same thing with fatigued old .44 Magnum brass, for use in one of my .44 Specials. As expensive as any brass is these days, I
expect most folks would like to get all they can out of it before dropping it in the scrap brass can. Also, Felix is right about making sure soft lead bullets are not being swaged
down any, which can affect accuracy.

[Bullshop Junior]

Trim them a step at a time all the way back to 38 S&W shorts!
I do it that way in my 45 Colt, and my Marlin 357, But in the marlin I don't go to short.

[EMC45]

Done it both with 357s and 44s. Work fine!

[scrapcan]

Just remember to not load with top end 357 mag data. pressures rise abrubtly

[ReloaderFred]

There's a case volume difference between .38 Spl. vs .357 Mag., due to thicker bases and case walls, but other than working up your load, there's no reason not to.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[AZ-Stew]

Except that you'll eventually trim below the annealed section of the case, after which the cases will split after fewer reloadings.

Regards,

Stew

[Recluse]

Except that you'll eventually trim below the annealed section of the case, after which the cases will split after fewer reloadings.

Regards,

Stew

I anneal my .38 Special and (brass) magnum (.357 and .44) cases. It has vastly improved and extended their reloading life.

:coffee:

[Bret4207]

Yes, anneal to stretch case life and anneal if you're shortening them. Much of your splits come from not annealing when needed.-

[Super38]

I am new to this.

How does one anneal the case to lengthen the case life? By the way, great idea on trimming back the brass but now I have to search through my scrap bucket yet again.

Super38

[rob45]

I am new to this.

How does one anneal the case to lengthen the case life?

Super38

Here is a good article to get you going.
http://www.6mmbr.com/annealing.html

[canebreaker]

I reload my .38 spl. with up to 1/4" split in neck. Next inspection, they are split to the base.
Waiting for some .357 brass to reload. Seems that everyone with a .357 are shooting .38s
at the range.

[Super38]

Here is a good article to get you going.
http://www.6mmbr.com/annealing.html

Fascinating. Thanks for the information.

Super38