Franklin Arsenal case prep center ???s

[kalielkslayer]

I have 2 of these. Ones set up for .223. The other one I adjust for whatever caliber brass I’m trimming.

Today was frustrating!!! Hoping someone opens an “oh crap” moment for me.

I sized and primed 50 pieces of 22-250 brass on my Rockchucker. Then I started trimming. The “trim center” was set for 22-250 since that’s the last thing I did before I pushed it aside 4 months ago to tie flies.

First couple were pretty damn close to the 1.902 I wanted. Then they started to wander, long. I made a couple adjustments trying to get back to 1.902. I ended up cutting some short, like 1.889. After farting with it for 20-30 minutes, 10-12 cases, I tore it apart and used a toothbrush to clean every single chip of brass outta it.

Once I got it back at close to 1.902, I would get one every so often that was completely trimmed, but was at 1.9055, or around there.

I finally resized one. It shrank from 1.905 to 1.9025.

I ended up doing that to 5-6.

I ended up with 43 out of 50 that weee 1.902-1.9035. The other 7 are short.

So, I guess I’m getting some brass “spring back?” Is this normal?

I’m sizing in a Rockchucker with nearly new RCBS dies. Nearly new=25 yo but less tha 700 rounds sized through it. I’m priming with the same tool. I hold the case fully locked down while I get the primer. The case sits in the fully full length sized mode for 10 seconds. If nothing else, I always strive for consistency.

This is 2-3X fired Win brass.

Is it the trimmer?

I’m guessing I’ll hear about annealing.

Or am I being too particular??? I think accepting 1.902-1.9035 was being lenient enough?

 

[Skgreen]

I'm on my 2nd FA case prep center.
3 or 4 thou variance can happen, but so far, it hasn't made any difference on my targets,,,.
YMMV

I also have a Hornady hand-crank trimmer. As it indexes off the base of the case instead of the shoulder, the case length is easier to control. It's not hard to get it + or - a thou, but the FA is a good bit quicker.

 

[lightman]

I'm not familiar with the set-up that you're using but 3 or 4 thou is more variation than I see on my trimmed brass. I think Skgreen has a good point. Does it show up on the target? Can you post a few pictures of your set-up?

 

[N555]

I anneal case necks and shoulders to dead soft. That means red hot on a torch annealer for several seconds, or orange hot with my induction annealer for a few seconds, run them through the FL sizer die with ball expander, use a pencil sharpener style case trimmer and I usually get about 97% of the cases right on the money for length then use a light chamfer on the case mouth. The other 3% are off by 1 thousands. Then prime absolutely last, right before loading. As I may decide to wet pin wash them one last time after all the case prep is done before priming.

 

[Skgreen]

Can you post a few pictures of your set-up?

Link to FA Trim Center:

https://www.frankfordarsenal.com/ca...-series-case-trim-and-prep-center/903156.html

 

[lightman]

I wasn't familiar with that tool. Sorry, but I don't have any ideas.

 

[N555]

Maybe the case trimmer has had it?

 

[Hugger-4641]

Are you holding it straight when you de-burr the inside of the case?

 

[kalielkslayer]

Maybe the case trimmer has had it?

Pretty new. Maybe 5,000 .224 cases total. I’m thinking the case diameter makes a difference. If I trimmed a .284 case, I would be using virgin cutting blade.

 

[kalielkslayer]

Are you holding it straight when you de-burr the inside of the case?

That’s something I’ll have to look at closer. But I only debur inside and out for an 8 count, minimal pressure. Less doesn’t always allow the projectile to always slide in smoothly. I don’t think I’m fully cutting through the case, inside or out.

But that’s something I have wondered about. Seems straight. But I’m sitting down and my eyes are lower than the case so it’s something I’ll need to check out.