I recently worked up a full-power load for a 358156GC, in a .357 Mag Ruger 6.5" BH. I don't shoot a lot of full-house 357 loads, or a lot of full-house anything anymore, but I figured I would work up a load anyway. One needs a variety, right ?
I figured I would load up 150-200 just to keep on hand. These will likely last for several years, so I want them to be as consistent as possible. I wanted to load them with the same components I worked the load with - the same brass, boolits from the same casting lot, etc.
To this end, I decided to trim the brass, get the crimp as consistent as possible. I dislike trimming brass. I REALLY dislike trimming brass. I figured, just do a couple hundred cases and get it over with.
I set up the trimming tools, and sat down to trim. I trimmed and trimmed. I was there for HOURS it seemed. I trimmed MOUNTAINS of 357 brass. I trimmed until my fingers felt ready to fall off, yet kept at it. I trimmed as if it was the last job to do before getting a lottery payout. At the end of a lifetime of trimming, I counted up the piles of trimmed, beautiful 357 brass.
59 pieces.
I really dislike trimming cases.