Case length

BoogieMan · March 6, 2013, 06:29 AM

In reference to the wack a mole thread. What do you do about case length trimming? Can necked cases like 303, 30-06 etc,. be reloaded without trimming? Does the WAM re-size the whole case or must you only use the case in the rifle that it was origanaly shot from? Is that what is refered to as fire sizing?

twins · March 6, 2013, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Is that what is refered to as fire sizing?

I've read/heard of fire-forming the case to a chamber. I guess fire-sizing works in some circle.

Quote:

Can necked cases like 303, 30-06 etc,. be reloaded without trimming?

I wouldn't if the length is longer than max case length (found in reloading manual). It should be a step in your reloading process to check the case length and trim if necessary.

wncchester · March 6, 2013, 10:59 AM

What do you do about case length trimming?

Actually, if cases are too long they can be trimmed by hand with a mill file, it's really not hard and works fine for small quanities. We've just been spoiled by all the gadgets that old timers didn't have but they still got by!

"Can necked cases like 303, 30-06 etc,. be reloaded without trimming?"

Certainly. But it would be wise to monitor the length and trim if they exceed normal book max.

" Does the WAM re-size the whole (rifle) case..."

No, the WAM neck sizes only.

"...or must you only use the case in the rifle that it was origanaly shot from?"

The oft heard 'only in the same rifle' thing is greatly overstated. Truth is, only if the donor rifle has a much larger chamber than your's is it true but neck sizing same size or smaller cases will do you fine. Drop the fired cases into your chamber and close the bolt; if it goes easily you're GTG.

"Is that what is refered to as fire sizing?"

There's no such thing as "fire sizing"; the correct term is 'fire forming', meaning any cartridge that's loaded to normal pressures will be formed to fit that chamber when fired.

**Unclenick** · March 6, 2013, 12:35 PM

BoogieMan,

Since the WAM only neck sizes, it doesn't cause cases to grow much. Growth happens mainly when full length sizing. The sizing die narrows the case body, which makes the case longer. Then the shoulder in the die pushes the case shoulder back. Due to the elongation, there is now extra brass length that has to go somewhere, so it flows into the neck, increasing the overall case length.

Keeping the same cases with the same rifle when using the WAM is best for several accuracy reasons, even if the cases seem to fit in another gun. If you try to use rounds from a larger chamber in a smaller chamber, even if you are able to close the bolt on them, at some point that will start to squeeze the neck forward, as in full-length sizing, and then you start to get neck growth that needs to be trimmed. You may need no trimming during the life of a case if you restrict it to firing from the same gun.

March 6, 2013, 06:29 AM	#1
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	Case length In reference to the wack a mole thread. What do you do about case length trimming? Can necked cases like 303, 30-06 etc,. be reloaded without trimming? Does the WAM re-size the whole case or must you only use the case in the rifle that it was origanaly shot from? Is that what is refered to as fire sizing? __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman "If you find yourself in a fair fight,,, Your tactics suck"- Unknown

March 6, 2013, 12:35 PM	#4
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	BoogieMan, Since the WAM only neck sizes, it doesn't cause cases to grow much. Growth happens mainly when full length sizing. The sizing die narrows the case body, which makes the case longer. Then the shoulder in the die pushes the case shoulder back. Due to the elongation, there is now extra brass length that has to go somewhere, so it flows into the neck, increasing the overall case length. Keeping the same cases with the same rifle when using the WAM is best for several accuracy reasons, even if the cases seem to fit in another gun. If you try to use rounds from a larger chamber in a smaller chamber, even if you are able to close the bolt on them, at some point that will start to squeeze the neck forward, as in full-length sizing, and then you start to get neck growth that needs to be trimmed. You may need no trimming during the life of a case if you restrict it to firing from the same gun. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

March 6, 2013, 10:59 AM	#3
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	What do you do about case length trimming? Actually, if cases are too long they can be trimmed by hand with a mill file, it's really not hard and works fine for small quanities. We've just been spoiled by all the gadgets that old timers didn't have but they still got by! "Can necked cases like 303, 30-06 etc,. be reloaded without trimming?" Certainly. But it would be wise to monitor the length and trim if they exceed normal book max. " Does the WAM re-size the whole (rifle) case..." No, the WAM neck sizes only. "...or must you only use the case in the rifle that it was origanaly shot from?" The oft heard 'only in the same rifle' thing is greatly overstated. Truth is, only if the donor rifle has a much larger chamber than your's is it true but neck sizing same size or smaller cases will do you fine. Drop the fired cases into your chamber and close the bolt; if it goes easily you're GTG. "Is that what is refered to as fire sizing?" There's no such thing as "fire sizing"; the correct term is 'fire forming', meaning any cartridge that's loaded to normal pressures will be formed to fit that chamber when fired.