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October 31, 2013, 02:05 PM | #1 |
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When Do You Trim Cases?
Greetings,
I've just stumbled upon this excellent forum, hope you don't object to my first post being a question... I've just purchased a Wilson case trimmer (nice little piece of kit) mainly for the .308 I shoot in F/TR. Should I be using this to return cases to 2.006" before or after neck sizing? Thanks in advance, Mick. |
October 31, 2013, 02:17 PM | #2 |
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Welcome to the forum.
The SAAMI spec for .308 Win case length is 1.995"-2.015", and the military spec is 2.000"-2.015". Anywhere in there is fine. The 2.005" trim-to length is just the mid-point between the ends of the SAAMI spec. You don't need to trim again until a resized case exceeds 2.015" unless you are crimping, in which instance uniform length is needed for uniform crimp pressure and so has you trimming every load cycle. With neck sizing-only there is very little case growth, so, assuming you don't crimp, you may have a long wait before you have to do it again. Most case growth occurs during a full-length resizing cycle. (See exaggerated illustration below.)
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October 31, 2013, 02:53 PM | #3 |
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Welcome.
Unclenick knows. As for me, I don't normally never trim any straight walled cases. However, I am compulsive and trim every one of my bottle necked cases. Do each and every one need it? No and during the process I see many that are never touched. I still run each case. Trim after sizing. I think there is more stretching of the case during the pulling of the expanding plug than at any other time. I want greater uniformity. Load with care, OSOK Last edited by oldpapps; October 31, 2013 at 03:16 PM. |
October 31, 2013, 03:00 PM | #4 |
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I trim every time. Keeping the case necks the same length means equal bearing surface holding the bullet in each case-thus it helps minimize inconsistency (isn't that the goal of handloading?)
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October 31, 2013, 04:55 PM | #5 |
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Timely thread , i'm in the process of trimming 250 once fired range pick-ups .
I have a Wilson trimmer and holders but I find it quicker to use a trim die . BTW, it gives me a constant 2.015
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October 31, 2013, 05:42 PM | #6 |
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Im with Sierra here. Every time. Range pick up you say. If your shooting for accuracy,start sorting and weigh the cases.
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October 31, 2013, 06:09 PM | #7 |
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I agree with you 4runnerman consistency matters when reloading, all the "pick-ups" are all Federal cases , no mixed headstamps .
They were full length sized ,fire formed and now it's trim time. Neck size only thereafter.
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October 31, 2013, 06:59 PM | #8 |
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Federal cases are alittle thicker than most, my have to reduce powder charge by .5 from load listings. I also neck size an partial neck size.keep my oal to 2.010,also clean outside of necks with 0000 steel wool,inside with bronze brush,uniform primer pockets & clean flash hole,debur inside flash hole once on all casings. I enjoy it all from shooting your own to reloading, great sport.
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October 31, 2013, 07:41 PM | #9 | |
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Quote:
Pretty much do all that sans the 0000 wool part No need to reduce my charges as I start low to begin with,, like 3.5 of bulls eye and a 120 grn cast
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October 31, 2013, 08:01 PM | #10 |
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Pistol cases I do not trim, but I shoot only semi-auto. Revolver cases I always trim. Rifle cases get trimmed depending on if they need it. I measure all cases on this gauge:
It shows me which need to be trimmed and which don't. They are measured AFTER full length resizing, I do not use fire formed cases, neck sized only. This saves a lot of time not resizing cases that don't need it. And shows if the case is getting too small (yes some do shrink). Jim
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October 31, 2013, 08:22 PM | #11 |
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I trim every time, it can be a pain but it's also an important part of having accurate rounds. It can also be interesting to see what brand cases stretch more then others. Also it can be interesting to see after the second or third firing the cases don't need to be trimmed back as much. Again that varies with brand.
Always trim after your full length resize and not before. Personally I try and trim to the minimum every time. |
October 31, 2013, 08:41 PM | #12 |
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I've trimmed my .308 Win. and 30 caliber magnum cases every 10 or so full length sizing cycles. They shorten a couple thousandths when fired with maximum loads, then grow a few thousandths full length sizing them It's about .001" growth per cycle. The .308 cases are kept between 2.000" and 2.010" as I've not seen any accuracy difference between the shorter and longer ones.
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November 1, 2013, 08:31 AM | #13 |
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Since I got my Giraud trimmer, I trim each time they are fired. HOWEVER, I certainly didn't do that before I got the Giraud.
I used to trim to minimum and hoped that the necks would split before I had to trim again.
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November 1, 2013, 08:50 AM | #14 |
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When do you trim?
Every time they are sized. |
November 4, 2013, 09:33 AM | #15 |
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Sorry, should have been more clear. I trim AFTER I resize the cases.
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November 4, 2013, 09:42 AM | #16 | |
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Quote:
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November 5, 2013, 08:51 PM | #17 |
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Every time I full length size.
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November 5, 2013, 11:47 PM | #18 |
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Rifle cases every time no matter what.Handgun-never no matter what..
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November 7, 2013, 01:35 PM | #19 | |
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I don't do neck sizing (have not bought into it) and shoot a lot of 30-06.
I have a battery powered "Littlb Crow Gunworks) neck trimmber. Like the Gerrard but not as expensive and vialb option if not loading large quanties. Easier to just run them all through than to check each one (after the re-size of course) Quote:
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November 7, 2013, 03:22 PM | #20 |
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Thanks all, I appreciate you taking the time to answer.
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November 7, 2013, 06:57 PM | #21 |
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RC20,
An old rule of thumb is -0.06 to -0.07 grains of powder for each grain of brass.
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November 7, 2013, 07:25 PM | #22 |
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RC20....what do you mean "havent bought into neck sizing"?
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November 7, 2013, 07:34 PM | #23 |
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Sinclair Chamber Length Gauges
I'm a big believer in using chamber length gauges to determine just what the max is for individual rifles using bottle neck cartridges. Sinclair has a video showing how they work.
Code:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKnXJxaAw2U FWIW... ...bug |
November 7, 2013, 10:14 PM | #24 |
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My rifle brass (all bottleneck cases) get trimmed every time I reload them, regardless of full length or just a neck sizing.
I have yet to ever trim a pistol case, granted the most any of my cases have been reloaded is 7 times.
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November 8, 2013, 04:06 AM | #25 | |
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Quote:
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