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Hi guys,

I’m all setup for reloading now and have about 150 cases of .357 magnum that I have resized and recapped, they have been tumbled and are ready to reload.

My first question i have taken the Callipers to the clean cases and find the measurements are under what is specified in my Lyman 50th edition manual.

For example overall cases length is specified as 1.290 inches, my measurement comes in at 1.278, my question is the 1.290 a maximum? If so is 1.278 ok?

Sorry if this is a daft question but I understand how dangerous reloading can be and I want to be Sure I’m doing the right thing.

Thanks in advance.


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SAAMI length is 1.290-0.020 so I would think you would be OK

I've been reloading .357 cases since the late 80s, and i don't think I've ever had to trim a case...

I bought all the kit i thought I'd need... (or what the salesman said i'd need ) including a case trimmer, and its still sat in its box. I even still have some of my original .357 brass (reloaded at least 20 - 30 times) loaded up in the ammo safe, and they've never been trimmed..

The main thing is that all the cases are a consistant length so they all get the same amount of crimp.

Daryll wrote:I've been reloading .357 cases since the late 80s, and i don't think I've ever had to trim a case...

I bought all the kit i thought I'd need... (or what the salesman said i'd need ) including a case trimmer, and its still sat in its box. I even still have some of my original .357 brass (reloaded at least 20 - 30 times) loaded up in the ammo safe, and they've never been trimmed..

The main thing is that all the cases are a consistant length so they all get the same amount of crimp.

Thats if you crimp of course not everyone does.

pbrazendale wrote:Hi guys,

I’m all setup for reloading now and have about 150 cases of .357 magnum that I have resized and recapped, they have been tumbled and are ready to reload.

My first question i have taken the Callipers to the clean cases and find the measurements are under what is specified in my Lyman 50th edition manual.

For example overall cases length is specified as 1.290 inches, my measurement comes in at 1.278, my question is the 1.290 a maximum? If so is 1.278 ok?

Sorry if this is a daft question but I understand how dangerous reloading can be and I want to be Sure I’m doing the right thing.

Thanks in advance


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Are they once fired cases if so they will be fine. Why do you think re loading is dangerous.?

Alpha1 wrote: Thats if you crimp of course not everyone does.

You should do if loading .357 or other cartridges for a tube magazine or LBR.

Sim G wrote:

Alpha1 wrote: Thats if you crimp of course not everyone does.

You should do if loading .357 or other cartridges for a tube magazine or LBR.

I have never had a problem as long as bullet to case fit is Ok. I dont own one but I have no idea why you would want to crimp for a LBR which I assume is a long barreled revolver. When I was shooting revolvers I did not find I needed to crimp the bullet but that was a million years ago. So what do I know. I don't normally crimp I have played with crimping but I find it makes no difference to my groups or the functioning of my underlerer rifle.

But if you are just starting out ignore my input go with sim G he is an experienced tube gun shooter re loader. Follow his advice and you wont come un stuck.

There's no problem with using these "short" cases. Just think about it, the only difference between 38spl and 357mag, other than the headstamp, is the case length.

Typically, trim lengths are 0.020" shorter than maximum case length. Once your brass has reached the maximum case length of 1.290" you trim back to 1.270". So far, I have never needed to trim my 357mag brass ad I think my case lengths are very similar to yours, way too short to consider trimming.

Thanks guys for all your replies, it was more a sense check, Alpha reloading can be dangerous if done wrong and I just wanted some clarification as it’s my first run, this ammo will be going through my .357 Uberti and I don’t really want to destroy it :-)


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Ok so I’ve now primed all the cases using cci 550 primers, I’ve also neck expanded, I’ve also had a delivery from Kranks for 200 158gr JSP bullet heads, any recommendations on powder? My Lyman 50th shows many different load types but would be good to get peoples experience / input for this bullet type.


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