OK,useing 357 max brass, I have finally gathered all the dies I need to make the cases. I got a 300-221 form and trim die,the same in 256 win and the same in 221. Also went ahead and got a set of 221 dies. Tried for the first time and made a good case on second one. I tried annealing useing lead pot. I don't think I held the case in long enough because on one case I had a split below the shoulder. On another case there were cracks in the shoulder. You had to use a magnifing glass to see them. At first I thought they were lube wringles. I am going to trim to 1.6 ins. Is there a standard length for this cartridge. I will get OTT to rechamber a 22 Hornet barel for it. I need all the help I can get so don't hold back. Thanks, Papalote

I would think if you are running the brass through everyone of those dies you are over working it? I have made several of the 22-357Max and have not lost one so far, after a bit of experimenting. I anneal first, take a torch and roll the brass between your fingers, when you feel it get to hot drop it in a cup of water. I annealed about 3/4" down from the mouth. Then run it in to a 256 die short, take the expander ball assembly out. Then run it into a 221 die short also, expander assembly out also, then you are done. I tried some of the trim dies and don't think I had enough case support, as this is when I lost some brass. If you don't anneal the brass enough it will show some bad stretching marks on the shoulder. The only part I used lube on was the straight portion of the case, very little then.
Also I am pretty sure you will have to turn the necks on this as there was a lot of brass moving around when you do this. I had some measurements, but don't recall at the moment what they were other than you could see it was pretty thick in the neck area.
Jeff