Case Prep - Order of Operations

[9mmepiphany]

I was discussing, with a meat world friend, trimming some handgun brass (.38Spl) for the upcoming competition season and an odd topic came up that I hadn't really given much thought. (If you don't believe in trimming handgun brass, don't judge...it isn't constructive and doesn't address the question being asked).

For the purpose of this discussion, let's use these definitions (I know the terms are used almost interchangeably, but they are different)
1. Bevel - the slope added to the inside of the case mouth
2. Chamfer - Breaking the edge on the outside of the case mouth

After you trim the case, do you bevel or do you chamfer the case mouth first?

I'm aware that it is a bit like asking if you brush of floss first, but I was just curious if folks have a decided preference

 

[edwardware]

For rifle brass, I tend to do whichever I'm already holding the tool for, then. That halves they number of drop and pickups of the tools.

Also, I don't know ANYONE who would floss first! That's just unspeakably gauche.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I tend to do whichever I'm already holding the tool for, then. That halves they number of drop and pickups of the tools.

I'm using the Hornady Case Prep Trio, so it's just a matter of which head I use first

I don't know ANYONE who would floss first!

You'd be surprised...I was...the thought process is to loosen whatever is between the teeth before brushing it away

 

[otisrush]

The vote option I selected was "It doesn't matter."

It's more accurate to say "I don't think it matters. But I've never thought about it."

Maybe I'm going to learn out of this thread that the order DOES matter.

 

[Rule3]

Must be a really slow day.

 

[Rule3]

The vote option I selected was "It doesn't matter."

It's more accurate to say "I don't think it matters. But I've never thought about it."

Maybe I'm going to learn out of this thread that the order DOES matter.

My vote is den't matter, but as you mention I am sure someone will come up with reason that it does.(and this is about rifle brass)

 

[Chuck R.]

I bevel 1st, just because that's the order the tools are set up on my RCBS Trim Mate case prep. Don't think it really matters.

 

[Blue68f100]

I use a 3 way cutter for my high volume 223R brass. It doesn't really matter as long as you do it.

 

[9mmepiphany]

My default is the bevel first also. For the same reason, because my Hornady Trio is set up like the picture.

I didn't think it made any difference but I thought I'd examine it a bit closer after the trim. These are observations in trimming about 20 cases, with 10 beveled first and 10 chamfered first

After you trim the edges of the case mouth is flat. There is usually some flash (?) on the outer edge, but not as much on the inner edge

1. When you bevel first, it leaves a nice slope inside the case mouth, but the flash remains rough. When you chamfer the outside of the mouth, it knocks off the flash but it also pushes some of the brass back into the case mouth.

2. When you chamfer first, it knocks off the flash and pushes some brass back into the case mouth. When you bevel, this extra flash comes off as a curl of brass.

Whatever flash remains, when beveling first, will be pushed out when expanding the case mouth and will likely get knocked off with when the round is crimped (remember this is a .38Spl case)...but that does leave brass shavings on my shell plate (Hornady LNL AP)

It isn't a huge difference and I'm certainly not going back through the 800 cases I've already process to correct it, but I'll likely change my process for the last 400

 

[Walkalong]

After trimming, deburr and chamfer, order doesn't matter I don't think, but I generally do the outside first. Just enough to knock off any slivers from trimming and barely knock off the 90 degree edge.

I use an old RCBS deburr/chamfer tool running really slow in a hobby lathe.

 

[Walkalong]

Whatever flash remains, when beveling first,

Just read this, if there is a good bit of flash/slivers/whatever, yes, you need to be sure you get it all.

 

[Blue68f100]

If your getting a lot of flashing you need to clean the edge or replace the trimmer, it's dull. Brass tends to stick to not lubed cutting edges, just take the time to clean them occasionally. Remember carbide cutters are very durable but do not like light cuts. My trimmers use a Cobalt end mill.

 

[cfullgraf]

Fo handgun cases, I do not think it would matter which was done first as long as one did not chamfer or bevel too much. I'm sure the long range or bench rest rifle folks have an opinion.

That said, I use a hand chamfer/bevel tool and do the operation first for the direction that I'm holding the tool for. Like edwardware, I flip the tool once per case to minimize handling.

 

[jmorris]

I have done it every way you can, I have just trimmed, trimmed and beveled. trimmed beveled then chamfered, trimmed chamfered then beveled and even trimmed, beveled and chamfered all at the same time (three way cutter), oh and also just not trimmed.

Had good results at one point or another with all the above.

 

[RandyP]

I use the Lee power trimmer which does all three operations at the same time, so my answer would have to be..." Yes" - lol

 

[Jack B.]

resize, measure , trim as needed or discard if too short , clean primer pocket, chamfer, deburr, run case brush into every case, prime , load powder, seat bullet and crimp. Also visually inspect case along the way several times. Every time all the time.

 

[Whiterook808]

I bevel first, but only because I am right handed and use a RCBS Trimmate case prep center. If the unit shipped with the chamfer bit on the right I would probably be doing the reverse. I should have clicked 'doesn't matter' but you asked what I do.

 

[doubleh]

What difference could it make? I don't load a great deal anymore and do all mine with a RCBS tool. Depending how I pick the tool up determines which I do first. Usually I alternate as I flip the tool back and forth doing both to each case and then picking up another case and so on until I'm finished.

 

[Varminterror]

Floss to remove or loosen interstitial junk. Brush to remove surface junk and loosened interstitial junk. Mouthwash to flush out junk and kill bacteria. Makes sense to me.

For most of my brass prep, I do all 3 at once, trim, deburr, and chamfer. When I use a Hornady Trio, I usually bevel first, then chamfer.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

What is a "meat world friend"?

 

[Stew0576]

What is a "meat world friend"?

Hunting buddy?

 

[9mmepiphany]

What is a "meat world friend"?

The Meatworld is the physical world as opposed to the internet world https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=meat world

Real life vs. online life

 

[Varminterror]

Creepy

 

[FROGO207]

For handgun ammo I only bevel as there is not much material left with a sharp cutter. I am interested in the ease of insertion of the neck expander. The cleaning with SS pins (and associated peening) and the subsequent crimping inward of the mouth take care of the outside fine. With rifle brass I will do both but which one first is a toss up as I want to keep from scoring the bullet AND usually do not crimp so want the round to chamber well.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I am interested in the ease of insertion of the neck expander. The cleaning with SS pins (and associated peening) and the subsequent crimping inward of the mouth take care of the outside fine

I've considered only beveling the inside of the case mouth, mostly to ease the insertion of Hi-tek coated bullets. I expand with the Redding copy of the Lyman "M" die and my bullets seat smoothly

But after trimming, I'll have a ridge of brass on the outside of the case mouth...much like the burr when sharpening a knife. I could leave that burr there and it does come off, usually during crimping, but that leaves me a bunch of brass shavings on my shell plate