The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - a general reloading question, and a question about presses

Contender · February 10, 2001, 04:04 PM

Generally speaking, Cases with shoulders tend to lengthen with repeated firings whereas, straight walled cases tend to resist this lengthening from firing. With the shouldered cases, the pounding against the shoulder area tends to work the brass case's material forward into the chamber throat area. With a straightwalled case, the exploding/expanding gases have a straight run right out of the cartridge case and on out the barrel. This is not to say that straight walled cases won't lengthen after repeated firings, some will, some won't at all. Follow the listed maximum and minimum case lengths allowed for the cartridge you are working with.

This all assumes that cartridge headspacing is correct to begin with.

I would also recommend trimming once fired and new brass to all uniform lengths before reloading. Even to just square up the case mouths, especially with cartridges you will be crimping.

For a minimum outlay, you could purchase some Lee trimmer pilots for trimming cases to a uniform length and for checking case lengths. These are very quick to use and you can chuck the case holder into an electric screwdriver for more speed. They are no lathe type trimmer but, will be perfectly suitable for your application being a new reloader. Save your money and later on if you decide, get a lathe type trimmer.

Sorry for the "book"

Have Fun and Be Safe.

February 10, 2001, 04:04 PM	#3
Contender Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1998 Location: NY Posts: 680	Generally speaking, Cases with shoulders tend to lengthen with repeated firings whereas, straight walled cases tend to resist this lengthening from firing. With the shouldered cases, the pounding against the shoulder area tends to work the brass case's material forward into the chamber throat area. With a straightwalled case, the exploding/expanding gases have a straight run right out of the cartridge case and on out the barrel. This is not to say that straight walled cases won't lengthen after repeated firings, some will, some won't at all. Follow the listed maximum and minimum case lengths allowed for the cartridge you are working with. This all assumes that cartridge headspacing is correct to begin with. I would also recommend trimming once fired and new brass to all uniform lengths before reloading. Even to just square up the case mouths, especially with cartridges you will be crimping. For a minimum outlay, you could purchase some Lee trimmer pilots for trimming cases to a uniform length and for checking case lengths. These are very quick to use and you can chuck the case holder into an electric screwdriver for more speed. They are no lathe type trimmer but, will be perfectly suitable for your application being a new reloader. Save your money and later on if you decide, get a lathe type trimmer. Sorry for the "book" Have Fun and Be Safe.