Brass trimming |
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ZeeRo_7
Groupie Joined: February 28 2014 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 33 |
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Posted: November 18 2015 at 12:19am |
I have a batch of PPU brass that is twice fired. I only neck sized. I still have components to reload another set and i began to wonder if it is time to trim the brass. Im measuring some cases to 2.225 and some still under 2.222. I want to know if having brass measuring 2.225 is still safe to reload without trimming. Ill also check the length again obviously after resizing. Forgive the novice question as i am just getting into reloading and dont want to blow up my gun. And what would you guys have to say about Federal brass? I have some that i kept from my last batch of factory ammo. Everyone likes the prvi stuff and i hear aweful things about Remington brass. All the help is greatly appreciated.
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White Rhino
Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 05 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5118 |
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Check the length against the length in your reloading manual ..... If you dont have one you should get you one !! a reputable one like Lyman or any of the other top brands ...
But if you dont have your manual then let us know and we or I can look in my manual and get you the specs to go by .... That is after the water goes down today and I can wade to my gun shop !! already had to tromp through over the ankle water in the rain and only wearing my under wear to kill a damn coon in my chickens !!! all this at 4:30 am !!!! Not a good start for the day !!!! |
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"White Rhino"
"Everybody's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer." --W. C. Fields |
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Zed
Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 5585 |
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On my No4 rifle the chamber is quite generous, so I trim to the 2.222" standard and check them each reload. I know some people trim shorter so they get a couple of loads between trims. Thats ok too. I've found that with my rifle when using boat tail's I need as much neck as possible to maintain a reasonable seating depth without excessive jump (although I still have too much jump). That's why I keep them at the upper limit. I don't think 3 thou over will be a problem, but it could depend on your chamber.
With regard to Remington brass; it was all I could get for a while. it's ok if you neck size and anneal; but not as good as PPU. I got split cases around 5 reloads and now inspect each case for the ring developing at the base. Throw them out when it starts to show. Cutting one open will show the wall of the cartrdge has stretched in that area. |
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Shamu
Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 17603 |
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Its just me but if the trim length is specified (& it is) at 2.222" ad any case exceeds it then its time to trim to 2.212"
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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ZeeRo_7
Groupie Joined: February 28 2014 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 33 |
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Sounds good man. And i trim after resizing right?
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White Rhino
Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 05 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5118 |
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Correct.
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"White Rhino"
"Everybody's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer." --W. C. Fields |
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ZeeRo_7
Groupie Joined: February 28 2014 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 33 |
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Thanks for the help guys.
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Shamu
Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 17603 |
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Yes because the stretch is mostly in the resize so by trimming after you don't start a fresh set of lengthening.
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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ZeeRo_7
Groupie Joined: February 28 2014 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 33 |
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I was going through some of the brass and most of it is coming up under 2.222; which is great. Maybe just a few are barely over. Ill just separate the ones that are still within proper length and trim the others.
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DairyFarmer
Senior Member Joined: July 19 2014 Location: In The South Status: Offline Points: 555 |
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Rule of thumb:
Straight wall cases don't need to be trimmed. Necked cases must be trimmed EVERY reload. I always advocate that cases be trimmed, chamfered and debured every time you decap them. You don't need anything fancy to trim them either. I just use the Lee Case length Gauge. Its quick and cheap. Also gives you a chance to "feel" the case after it has been decapped.
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Shamu
Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 17603 |
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"Necked cases must be trimmed EVERY reload."
If you're crimping then perhaps, because the lengths must be identical for consistent crimps, but I've never heard of trimming every time before. |
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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evanguy
Senior Member Joined: May 08 2015 Location: N.S. Canada Status: Offline Points: 355 |
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I fire cast 200gr lead at about 915fps. I know its a low pressure load but ive gotten over 20 reloads and my cases all come in at .220-.223. I do chamfer them every reload though as to not cut lead as they seat. I just started anealing my case necks since its getting to hard to seat the bullet without deforming it. i also only neck size the cases, ive backed off the neck sizer a little to not make the neck so tight on my .314 bullets.
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DairyFarmer
Senior Member Joined: July 19 2014 Location: In The South Status: Offline Points: 555 |
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There are two ways the case can "stretch" between loads. The most likely is when firing. The slight gap of the head space and the ability of the neck to "flow down" the barrel. Brass does return but not all the way.
To a lesser degree (i.e. very seldom) when working the brass through the resizing die the brass can also stretch. I don't know if its just me being pedantic but I am adverse to knowing that my batch of rounds have differing case lengths.
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