Forming 357 maximum brass?

[andym79]

Hi guys, I am considering getting a rifle chambered in 357 maximum, only problem is I can't seem to find 357 maximum brass!

Can it and has anyone formed it from 5.6x50r brass, or is that opening it up a bit too much?

[bladeracer]

Maybe just chamber it for .357 Magnum until you can find some Maximum brass and then have the chamber lengthened?
.357 Remington Maximum is 1.590" long with rim and base diameters 0.440" and 0.379".

5.6x50mm Rimmed is 1.585" long to the shoulder which is 0.354" diameter so it doesn't need to be necked up. Just cut it off to length, chamfer it, and the expander ball should open it up. You might need to turn the new case neck down though as the brass is probably still quite thick there. Base is 0.374" and the rim is 0.462" so you might need to put them in a drill to take some off the rims with a file. The rim is .005" thinner than the .357 but I doubt that'd matter.

Otherwise, the closest I can find is .38-44S&W - 1.468" and 0.435" and 0.384".
.360 Dan Wesson is also close at 1.409" long and 0.430" and 0.375".

[andym79]

Maybe just chamber it for .357 Magnum until you can find some Maximum brass and then have the chamber lengthened?
.

Or just shoot 357 mag out of the max chamber till you find or make brass, would be no different than putting .38s through a .357 mag which is fine.

Am I right in thinking that the 357 magnum headspaces from the rim?

Is so I guess one could just use 357 mag cases until max cases are found or formed.

[Gamerancher]

Straight walled pistol cartridge, yes, head-spaced on the rim.
Rim thickness is critical.

[andym79]

Maybe just chamber it for .357 Magnum until you can find some Maximum brass and then have the chamber lengthened?
.357 Remington Maximum is 1.590" long with rim and base diameters 0.440" and 0.379".

5.6x50mm Rimmed is 1.585" long to the shoulder which is 0.354" diameter so it doesn't need to be necked up. Just cut it off to length, chamfer it, and the expander ball should open it up. You might need to turn the new case neck down though as the brass is probably still quite thick there. Base is 0.374" and the rim is 0.462" so you might need to put them in a drill to take some off the rims with a file. The rim is .005" thinner than the .357 but I doubt that'd matter.

Otherwise, the closest I can find is .38-44S&W - 1.468" and 0.435" and 0.384".
.360 Dan Wesson is also close at 1.409" long and 0.430" and 0.375".

I reckon that 5.6x50r brass would work, the base would be the right diameter, the rim is actually .329 vs .340" the shoulder could be opened a little to have the same external OD as the 357 at .379".

I think, and it would be good to get others opinions that the best way to go might be to fire form cut off 5.6 x 50R brass. Then in theory you would have a case with the correct OD all along and the necks could then be turned to take a real bullet. Best way or not?

Anyone with a 357 max chamber willing to try this for me if I send them a few bit of 5.6x50r brass?

It would be better to be sure that it works before have a rifle chambered in 357 max only to find brass cant be made!

[andym79]

No, I assumed that would cost a lot that there would be a minimum run of say 1000! Is that not the case?

Does Bruce Bertram do custom brass as well as hard to get stuff?

[Tripod]

Maybe just chamber it for .357 Magnum until you can find some Maximum brass and then have the chamber lengthened?
.357 Remington Maximum is 1.590" long with rim and base diameters 0.440" and 0.379".

5.6x50mm Rimmed is 1.585" long to the shoulder which is 0.354" diameter so it doesn't need to be necked up. Just cut it off to length, chamfer it, and the expander ball should open it up. You might need to turn the new case neck down though as the brass is probably still quite thick there. Base is 0.374" and the rim is 0.462" so you might need to put them in a drill to take some off the rims with a file. The rim is .005" thinner than the .357 but I doubt that'd matter.

Otherwise, the closest I can find is .38-44S&W - 1.468" and 0.435" and 0.384".
.360 Dan Wesson is also close at 1.409" long and 0.430" and 0.375".

I reckon that 5.6x50r brass would work, the base would be the right diameter, the rim is actually .329 vs .340" the shoulder could be opened a little to have the same external OD as the 357 at .379".

I think, and it would be good to get others opinions that the best way to go might be to fire form cut off 5.6 x 50R brass. Then in theory you would have a case with the correct OD all along and the necks could then be turned to take a real bullet. Best way or not?

Anyone with a 357 max chamber willing to try this for me if I send them a few bit of 5.6x50r brass?

It would be better to be sure that it works before have a rifle chambered in 357 max only to find brass cant be made!

I can fire form some for you if you want to send them to me.