case trimming?
- Thread starter saskboy
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PotatoJudge
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I trim rifle brass for safety (and yes, as long as you're under max you should be fine) and pistol brass for consistent crimps. Trimming is not one of my favorite steps (especially for pistols) but the load consistency is worth it.
possum
Member
i don't trim cases for my .40s&w reloads.
The Bushmaster
Member
Walkalong says I'm anal about this, but I trim all my brass to insure consitancy. Well...Not all. I don't trim 9mm X 19...
SASS#23149
Member
you are sizing the cases 1st,right?
If they are within spec then there is no reason to trim them.
If they are within spec then there is no reason to trim them.
Hairballusmaximus
Member
Bottle neck cases "grow" more than straight wall cases and will require trimming more often. I have trimmed .223 cases and set my seating die accordingly, but had to readjust it while still within the specs to keep crimp in the groove/cannelure. So even when within proper specs trimming or die adjustment may be necessary.
The Bushmaster
Member
Hairballusmaximus (too long)...That's why I trim all my cases (except 9mm X 19) I rarely trim to minimum length, but to somwhere in the middle. It insures that I get a uniform crimp on all cases of that particular set of 50 or 20 depending as to whether they are handgun or rifle. I keep the trim length to within +/-.002". .45 ACP I trim to .890 +/- .002" mainly because my Colt 1911 seems to prefer that length. Could just be me, but...It also means I don't have to keep adjusting my crimp dies to allow for short or long cases within a set...
Hairballusmaximus
Member
Bushmaster, Hairball works just fine too. Do you find that the cases grow less when not trimmed to the minimum, like what you do, trim somewhere in the middle?
The Bushmaster
Member
No...They grow just as much just as fast. I determined that it wasn't necessary to always trim them to minimum as long as they were all the same length +/- .002. I actually prefer them to be at or near maximum length. It just insures that the crimp will be uniform on all finished cartridges...Most often, with my RCBS Case Trimmer 2, I can keep them within +/- .001...
O K...Hairball it is...Bushy here...
O K...Hairball it is...Bushy here...
Floppy_D
Member In Memoriam
I trim uniformly to the minimum, because I get a visual distance from cannelure to case. It's another "check."
Pistol brass? I have 40sw brass on it's 14th or so load, and I won't trim a single piece of it.
Pistol brass? I have 40sw brass on it's 14th or so load, and I won't trim a single piece of it.
Bushmaster and Hairballusmaximus.
You can save yourself a lot of trimming (rifle) if you would give RCBS X-Dies a try. I started using X-Dies for 223 and I am slowly replacing all my sizer dies with and X-Die. The X-Die eliminates the need to keep trimming and IMO the life of the brass is greatly extended since it isn't stretched when the mandrel is removed.
You can save yourself a lot of trimming (rifle) if you would give RCBS X-Dies a try. I started using X-Dies for 223 and I am slowly replacing all my sizer dies with and X-Die. The X-Die eliminates the need to keep trimming and IMO the life of the brass is greatly extended since it isn't stretched when the mandrel is removed.
.38 Special
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I measure a sample from each lot of cases after firing. I almost never find enough growth to merit trimming. It's gotten to the point that with many cases -- lightly loaded revolver cases in particular -- I don't even measure anymore.
1858rem
Member
i was gonna trim all my cases even, but they weren't long enough for the lee .45 colt case trimmer to trim anything yet
The Bushmaster
Member
I've thought about that, Idano. I have to full length size my .30 WCF cases and the only other rifle I reload for is a .30-06. Haven't desided if it's worth it or not yet. But thanks anyway
Claude Clay
Member
i do not trim any pistol cases
rifle cases are trimed close to max and after the 3rd firing seem to stay below max length. i can replicate a military or factory round, but shooting for accuracy generally means loading lighter than max and cases last (almost) forever.
rifle cases are trimed close to max and after the 3rd firing seem to stay below max length. i can replicate a military or factory round, but shooting for accuracy generally means loading lighter than max and cases last (almost) forever.
Hairballusmaximus
Member
Idano, does the X-die still full length size? I shoot the .223 through a Bushmaster and have read/been told in auto/semi-auto they have to be full-length resized every time.
Mark whiz
Member
Trimming frequency will also depend on what type of action a firearm has.......especially with rifles. A bolt action is MUCH easier on brass than a semi-auto, as a semi-auto is yanking the case out of the chamber before it has even had a chance to go thru the full cycle of expansion and return. Semis like the AR and M1As can really beat up brass - I find that I usually have to trim my M1A brass after the 3rd reload, and that is trimming them to near-minimum spec.
How hot you load your rounds will affect trimming as well, as very hot loads tend to stretch brass more.
How hot you load your rounds will affect trimming as well, as very hot loads tend to stretch brass more.
1858rem
Member
i resize my 45 colt cases so the bullet does not fall onto the powder, they did w/out resizing so i resize an it is fixed, very tedious work as i still use a lee classic loader, ~300 rds in a week or so isn't too bad.... especially w/only 50 rds of brass to use lol
Hairballusmaximus,
Yep, the X-Die is a full length resizing die and in fact is available in small base too. Like I stated earlier I am a believer in X-Die technology; I have been using it now for 6-7 years. I drive a 55 grain bullet in my AR with 23 grains of DP2200, .5 grains below max, without a crimp. In that time some of my brass has been reloaded 10-15 times or more. I bet I haven't had to toss more then 10 cases in all those year and those were for loose primer pockets not split necks. The only time I ever trim my brass is before the first time I ever run it into the X-Die, after that because of the design of the die and mandrel the brass never grows again after the first time it is resized in the X-Die.
It truly is one of those things you have to try to and see for yourself before you'll be a believer. Since I started using X-Dies I couldn't justify buying either a Giraud or Gracey case trimmer. Oh well that money can now go toward either the Dillon RF 100 Primer filler or the K.I.S.S bullet feeder for my Hornady AP
Yep, the X-Die is a full length resizing die and in fact is available in small base too. Like I stated earlier I am a believer in X-Die technology; I have been using it now for 6-7 years. I drive a 55 grain bullet in my AR with 23 grains of DP2200, .5 grains below max, without a crimp. In that time some of my brass has been reloaded 10-15 times or more. I bet I haven't had to toss more then 10 cases in all those year and those were for loose primer pockets not split necks. The only time I ever trim my brass is before the first time I ever run it into the X-Die, after that because of the design of the die and mandrel the brass never grows again after the first time it is resized in the X-Die.
It truly is one of those things you have to try to and see for yourself before you'll be a believer. Since I started using X-Dies I couldn't justify buying either a Giraud or Gracey case trimmer. Oh well that money can now go toward either the Dillon RF 100 Primer filler or the K.I.S.S bullet feeder for my Hornady AP
Hairballusmaximus
Member
Idano, Thanx for the info. I will def look into picking up an X-Die. Sounds like it will save me a lot of time trimming as I am using 2000+ brass at a shot.
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