Trimming .45 ACP Brass

Buck455 · January 24, 2005, 12:45 PM

Folks,

I want to start by thanking everyone for sharing their knowledge here. I've picked up a lot over the past year by reading these forums.

On to business...

I just bought an RCBS Trim Pro Manual Kit as an upgrade from another manufacturer, and I have a problem with the 45 caliber pilot being way too tight for resized 45 ACP brass. The pilot is so tight I have to force it into the mouth, and turning it in the trimmer really screws up the inside of the cases. Now I know a lot of you don't resize 45 auto brass, but I'm kind of picky, and I'd like to be able to. I'm just getting into reloading 45 ACP, so I don't know if this is a common deal with that cartridge, but I've never seen this problem with 44 Mag or 30-06 with my old trimmer. The RCBS pilot for 44 caliber works fine with my resized 44 brass. I tried both Winchester and Federal brass, and I even tried buying another 45 cal pilot. Same problem across the board. My other thought is that I might have a bad resizer die. Like I said, I'm just getting started reloading this caliber so I haven't completed any rounds with my new die set. I have an email in to RCBS, but I figured I'd try asking here first.

Any thoughts/advise?

Thanks again.

Robert M Boren Sr · January 24, 2005, 01:15 PM

It could be that the pilot is wrong, did you mic it out? Also try belling the case before trimming. Or use your champher tool for the inside and see if that helps. To be honest with ya, I don't see why you need to do this. The only problems I've had with my loads was with the cases that I had trimmed. Just my two cents worth.

PhotoRecon · January 24, 2005, 03:20 PM

I run my 45 cases through a case gauge rather than measure them with a caliper. It seems to somewhat rare to find a case long enough to the point where it would need trimming. As I use large quantities of brass it seems more efficient to toss those who don't make it through the gauge rather than try to fix them.

If you really want to you could mount the pilot in a drill and polish the surface down a bit or to where you feel like it works best.

Master Blaster · January 25, 2005, 08:29 AM

Quote:

I just bought an RCBS Trim Pro Manual Kit as an upgrade from another manufacturer, and I have a problem with the 45 caliber pilot being way too tight for resized 45 ACP brass.

Call RCBS, their customer service is excellent, they will send you another.

rbwillnj · January 25, 2005, 09:26 AM

When I trim 45 ACP brass, I size it and bell it first. This leaves a snug fit with the pilot, but not too tight to make the job more tedious than it has to be.

If its tight, I assume you are sizing the brass before trimming, as you should.

jerryd · January 25, 2005, 10:59 AM

After all my years of reloading i have never had to trim any 45acp or 9mm, are you sure they are too long?

rbwillnj · January 25, 2005, 04:58 PM

I have never trimed pistol brass because it was too long. In fact, most brass, even new brass is closer to the trim-to length than to the maximum. I trim brass once to make sure it is all a uniform length. This is most important on brass that gets a roll crimp, but I find it makes a difference (group size wise) on brass that gets taper crimped as well.

redrooster2 · January 26, 2005, 01:21 AM

I am familiar with the problem you have encountered. I use the .44 RCBS Trim Pro pilot on the sized .45 cases. Have done it for years with no problem. I also use a .34 pilot on 9 mm, .38 & .357 sized brass.

Buck455 · January 26, 2005, 08:24 AM

Thanks for all your replys. Like I said before, I realize that a lot of people don't resize straight pistol brass. None of what I have is oversized, I just want to start with uniform lengths. RCBS suggests slightly expanding the case mouth before trimming. Haven't tried it yet, but I may just chuck up one of the pilots in a lathe and turn it down a little instead.

carpfisher · January 26, 2005, 02:49 PM

Some folks just can't help but tinker!
Then again, If I had a lathe....

G

zeke · January 27, 2005, 06:37 AM

chuck pilot into drill, apply to sandpaper to desired diameter is reached.

Dave Wendt · January 27, 2005, 01:56 PM

I have found that there are two pilot's for the .45. One is stamped .45R. This is for the 45-70. The other is stamped .45. This work's for the .45 ACP. I had the same problem and RCBS cleared up the matter by sending me the .45 ACP pilot. Hope this help's.

Sam Adams · January 27, 2005, 02:00 PM

In .45 ACP the case tends to shorten with each firing. There should be no need to trim, ever. You'll either lose your cases or have them split before they'll need a trimming.

That being said, I'd call RCBS if I were you - part of what you pay them for is customer service, so go and get your money's worth.

January 24, 2005, 12:45 PM	#1
Buck455 Junior Member Join Date: January 24, 2005 Posts: 3	Trimming .45 ACP Brass Folks, I want to start by thanking everyone for sharing their knowledge here. I've picked up a lot over the past year by reading these forums. On to business... I just bought an RCBS Trim Pro Manual Kit as an upgrade from another manufacturer, and I have a problem with the 45 caliber pilot being way too tight for resized 45 ACP brass. The pilot is so tight I have to force it into the mouth, and turning it in the trimmer really screws up the inside of the cases. Now I know a lot of you don't resize 45 auto brass, but I'm kind of picky, and I'd like to be able to. I'm just getting into reloading 45 ACP, so I don't know if this is a common deal with that cartridge, but I've never seen this problem with 44 Mag or 30-06 with my old trimmer. The RCBS pilot for 44 caliber works fine with my resized 44 brass. I tried both Winchester and Federal brass, and I even tried buying another 45 cal pilot. Same problem across the board. My other thought is that I might have a bad resizer die. Like I said, I'm just getting started reloading this caliber so I haven't completed any rounds with my new die set. I have an email in to RCBS, but I figured I'd try asking here first. Any thoughts/advise? Thanks again.

January 24, 2005, 03:20 PM	#3
PhotoRecon Member Join Date: November 29, 2004 Location: Central Montana Posts: 42	I run my 45 cases through a case gauge rather than measure them with a caliper. It seems to somewhat rare to find a case long enough to the point where it would need trimming. As I use large quantities of brass it seems more efficient to toss those who don't make it through the gauge rather than try to fix them. If you really want to you could mount the pilot in a drill and polish the surface down a bit or to where you feel like it works best. __________________ NRA Life Member since 1982

January 27, 2005, 01:56 PM	#12
Dave Wendt Junior Member Join Date: January 17, 2005 Posts: 8	Trimming.45ACP Brass I have found that there are two pilot's for the .45. One is stamped .45R. This is for the 45-70. The other is stamped .45. This work's for the .45 ACP. I had the same problem and RCBS cleared up the matter by sending me the .45 ACP pilot. Hope this help's.

January 27, 2005, 02:00 PM	#13
Sam Adams Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2001 Location: Somewhere in the Republic of Texas Posts: 250	In .45 ACP the case tends to shorten with each firing. There should be no need to trim, ever. You'll either lose your cases or have them split before they'll need a trimming. That being said, I'd call RCBS if I were you - part of what you pay them for is customer service, so go and get your money's worth. __________________ "The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms." Samuel Adams "Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birth-right of an American." Tench Coxe 2/20/1788 "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands, which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen." Samuel Adams "Love work, hate domination, and do not let your name come to the attention of the ruling powers." -- The Talmud, "Sayings of the Fathers"

January 24, 2005, 01:15 PM	#2
Robert M Boren Sr Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Location: NW Montana Posts: 269	It could be that the pilot is wrong, did you mic it out? Also try belling the case before trimming. Or use your champher tool for the inside and see if that helps. To be honest with ya, I don't see why you need to do this. The only problems I've had with my loads was with the cases that I had trimmed. Just my two cents worth.

January 25, 2005, 09:26 AM	#5
rbwillnj Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northwest NJ Posts: 38	When I trim 45 ACP brass, I size it and bell it first. This leaves a snug fit with the pilot, but not too tight to make the job more tedious than it has to be. If its tight, I assume you are sizing the brass before trimming, as you should.

January 25, 2005, 10:59 AM	#6
jerryd Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2004 Location: Ct. Posts: 131	After all my years of reloading i have never had to trim any 45acp or 9mm, are you sure they are too long?

January 25, 2005, 04:58 PM	#7
rbwillnj Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northwest NJ Posts: 38	I have never trimed pistol brass because it was too long. In fact, most brass, even new brass is closer to the trim-to length than to the maximum. I trim brass once to make sure it is all a uniform length. This is most important on brass that gets a roll crimp, but I find it makes a difference (group size wise) on brass that gets taper crimped as well.

January 26, 2005, 01:21 AM	#8
redrooster2 Member Join Date: September 23, 2004 Location: north of Acadiana Posts: 80	I am familiar with the problem you have encountered. I use the .44 RCBS Trim Pro pilot on the sized .45 cases. Have done it for years with no problem. I also use a .34 pilot on 9 mm, .38 & .357 sized brass.

January 26, 2005, 08:24 AM	#9
Buck455 Junior Member Join Date: January 24, 2005 Posts: 3	Thanks for all your replys. Like I said before, I realize that a lot of people don't resize straight pistol brass. None of what I have is oversized, I just want to start with uniform lengths. RCBS suggests slightly expanding the case mouth before trimming. Haven't tried it yet, but I may just chuck up one of the pilots in a lathe and turn it down a little instead.

January 26, 2005, 02:49 PM	#10
carpfisher Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2004 Location: Fowlerville, MI Posts: 122	Some folks just can't help but tinker! Then again, If I had a lathe.... G

January 27, 2005, 06:37 AM	#11
zeke Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 1999 Location: NW Wi Posts: 1,671	chuck pilot into drill, apply to sandpaper to desired diameter is reached.