just got back from the range, testing some defense rounds in the .357 mag. some of the cci primers got flattened, but not all. is this just about right for max, or is it too much? should i mark the cases that didn't flatten because they may have a little more cap & lower pressure? or are the primers the reason some flatten and not others? i have heard that cci are some of the softest primers, should that load be okay with other primers? could it be that the remington brass has less vol then others? the velocities over the chrono weren't higher than expected. i know case life isn't long for such loads, but when it comes to case life or my life... am i looking too hard here, or am i just starting to get into the nitty-gritty of reloading? thanks for any input in advance, nate

nated,

To answer to your question, when you can see pressure signs is too late. The pressure limit isn't reach but pressure is overtake compare to pressure limit. CCI primers are very good. What are your load in .357 Mag
Bullet weight, powder used, how many grains,... After that I'll tell you more

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BER007
Keep the faith in any circumstances
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BBER007@HOTMAIL.COM

ber007
using rem .357 brass with cci spm primers, 95 jhp w/ 12.4 gr N350 at 1.59",
125 gr GoldDot w/ 11.3 gr N350 at 1.59", &
140 gr Speer jhp w/ 10.2 gr N350.
this is max loads that i'll use, but is that still too much? thanx, nate

I would consider them a little warm...

Here is what I suggest...

For 95's...N-350 From 10.6 grains to 11.7 grains with CCI-550 Primer

For 125's...N-350 From 9.0 grains to 10.8 grains CCI-550 Primer

For 140's...N-350 From 8.1 grains to 10.1 grains with CCI-550 Primer

nated,

I think you must see link

http://www.vihtavuori.fi/vihtavuori/index.html

and click on .357 mag

I advice you to take N110 (ideal for max loads) slower than N350.

You wrote
95 jhp w/ 12.4 gr N350 FORGET THIS BULLET TOO LIGHT AND LOAD TOO HOT YOU OVER TAKE MAX LOAD

125 gr GoldDot w/ 11.3 gr N350 MAX LOAD WITH N350 9.5gr YOU OVERTAKE MAX LOAD 2 GR!!!!!!

140 gr Speer jhp w/ 10.2 gr N350 MAX LOAD WITH N350 9gr YOU OVERTAKE MAX LOAD 1 GR!!!!!

------------------
BER007
Keep the faith in any circumstances
------------------------
BBER007@HOTMAIL.COM

ber007
thanks for the site, will adjust accordingly

ric,
thanks for the advice. i'll back off a bit, all the rounds i shot were a little fast for their bullet design anyway (except for the golddots, the still stayed together!) just wanted to know the upper limits, and now i do. thanks again, nate