What if brass doesn't need to be trimmed?

[Mainner]

Hi All,
Based on the post title you know I'm new to reloading. I am reloading a 35 rem with 200gr RN bullet for my Marlin lever action. Once fired brass, my own. Question: after resizing the brass, if I don't have to trim the case because it is below the max length 1.92", most are ~1.912, Do I still have to chamfer the case mouth inside and out? Thanks!

[dacaur]

No.
Chamfering is just to remove burrs from trimming, no need to chamfer fired brass if it doesnt get trimmed...

[Marco Califo]

Then you don't trim it.

Chamfering is done to 'round-off' sharp, just trimmed edges left by the cutting head. So, no, you do not need to chamfer unless you just trimmed.

[saands]

Nobody said it explicitly, but if you have questions about reloading and can't find an answer by using the search, ask the question! Not all of us are fortunate enough to start our reloading careers under the watchful eye of a an experienced and knowledgeable mentor. You'll get good info and advice here.

Be safe,

Saands

[Sport45]

Welcome to The Firing Line!

Trimming isn't needed if you are below max length. But in order to get a consistent crimp all the cases should be the same length. If this round is being used in a tube fed lever gun I do suggest crimping.

[jepp2]

Once fired brass, my own.

I always chamfer the inside of the neck on new brass (or the first time I load factory brass). Smoothing out the neck allows for the bullet to seat easier without scratching the exterior of the bullet. That can impact accuracy. If you don't think you need to, seat a bullet in the case without chamfering the inside of the neck, then pull the bullet and check the outside. You will be surprised.


After the initial chamfer, I only chamfer after trimming.

[Rockdriller]

I second what Jepp said. I was shaving WAY too much of the coating and lead from my bullets so I started chamfering each case and it solved the problem.

[chiefr]

Seems your question was answered when to trim. I might want to add since you are reloading for the 35 Rem go slow when seating your bullets since there is little case shoulder. I know several people besides myself who have had problems with the cases collapsing downward when seating bullets with the 35 Rem. If this happens, the problem is remedied by camfering the case mouth and lubing your necks.
I am not saying everyone will have this problem, but I have seen it crop up more than once.

[Mainner]

Thanks Everyone!!!! Excellent insight! I will slightly chamfer the inside of the case mouth. I can understand how this would be better for the bullet to enter/seat.
Another question: I have the Lee Pacesetter three die set. I use Hornady jacketed bullets, 35 rem, .358"dia, 200gr RN with cannalure. I set the bullet seating die without a crimp because I have a factory crimp die. When seating the bullet so the crimp would be in the cannalure/be within max cartridge length, the bullet would fall into the case. I have to seat the bullet almost to the cannalure beginning at the bullet nose in order to be under max length of 2.525". I think the Hornady bullets are longer than the Rem factory bullets because the factory cartridges are under max length and some have a lot of the cannalure showing. Well, I decided to try and crimp/seat with the bullet seating die. The bullets do not fall into the case now but they are loose enough to move slightly so I can get within max length and then use the factory crimp to lock in place. I don't understand why the bullets were falling into the case. Any ideas? Are Hornady bullets longer? I placed a bullet that was slightly over max cartridge length into my marlin to see if the bullet would push back and it didn't. Can you be slightly over max length? Thanks Again!

[m&p45acp10+1]

If you have bullets falling into the cases there are a couple of things that could be going on.

1. over expanded case mouth leading to lack of neck tension.
2. undersized bullets same as above.

If bullets re easily pushing into the case then crimping more is not going to stop the problem. Crimping keeps bullets from backing out, not going in deeper. Neck tension keeps them from going deeper.

[amathis]

Sounds like you are definitely dealing with a neck tension issue. You may want to make sure your dies are set low enough. When I am setting my dies I like to set it so the mouth of the brass to be around 0.004 smaller than the bullet I am seating. With the .358 I personally would be looking for a .354 measurement from the inside of the neck. Depending on the dies, typically, all you need to do is turn the die down in the press by a few turns to tighten it up.

Since you are using a lever action you're going to want to make sure these bullets are solidly in the brass with no movement as the spring in the tubular magazine is constantly exerting pressure on the rounds.

[Mainner]

I believe the Lee full length sizer die is designed to make the case neck .001" smaller than the bullet dia. How do you adjust the die to make the neck smaller?
The Lee Full length sizer instructions state, "screw the full length sizer in until it touches the shell holder. Then lower the ram and screw the die in 1/4 to 1/3 turn more. Raise the ram and tighten the lock ring finger tight."
I screwed the die in the 1/4 turn more. Do you think the neck tension would improve if I tried the 1/3 turn?
Thanks!!!

[m&p45acp10+1]

I would say give it a try, and then take a bullet and if you can push it to seated levels with your fingers then you will need to pollish the expander ball down a bit.

[wild willy]

Size some of the cases to knock the primer out.Then remove the decapper and size again.Load these and if the bullet is tight you need to polish the expander down if they are still loose your die isn't sizing the neck enough.You will have to give Lee a call.

[Mainner]

Well, the plot thickens!
My Lee die set is brand new. The first case I ever sized, when seating the bullet, the bullet fall into the case before I was properly seated at the cannalure.
I just measured the diameter of six of the Hornady bullets out of the pack of 100. They are suppose to be .358", I'm consistently getting .357". Could it be my caliper....well, when I close the jaws the caliper reads 0.0000".
I also measured the inside dia. of a few sized case necks and I'm getting ~.357". I think I have my answers.....do I return the bullets and talk to Lee?

[er775]

What press are you using? I have an older Hornady LNL AP and had kinda the same problem, I bought a set of the Lee RGB dies in 243 and when seating the bullets they would be loose enough to fall into the case or I could spin them around easily in the case neck, I tried and tried and made adjustment after adjustments and couldnt fix the problem so I borrowed a set of RCBS dies from a buddy and set them up and loaded 30 rounds flawlessly, got the Lee dies out and mounted them back on the press as if setting them up for the first time again and same problem, loose bullets

so, I dont think all dies are able to perform on any brand of press, I`m not saying any one brand is inferior to others or anything like that but I dont think my Hornady press likes Lee dies so maybe try a different brand of dies if your able to borrow a set from a buddy and see what happens

[wild willy]

The brand of press doesn't have any thing to do with it!

[er775]

ok so it may have been just a crappy set of dies

[Sport45]

Brass with thin necks could cause this too.

As mentioned above, remove the decapping rod from your sizing die and size a case. Does a bullet fall into it then?

As long as the decapping rod is out of the sizing die, go ahead and measure the diameter of the neck sizing button. What does it measure?

[amathis]

Yeah its not the press. It is either the dies not to spec or it not being set up right. Try doing the whole take the decapping pin/sizing button thing out. I bet it will close right up. See if Lee will sent you a new button, otherwise, take the button down a bit. It certainly wouldn't hurt.

[highvel]

With the .35 be careful during full length resizing, the cartridge head spaces on the shoulder and if your die bumps the shoulder back too far for your chamber the round will seat too deep in the chamber and may misfire.

[Mainner]

I purchased the Lee 50th anniversary challenger reloading kit. Has the Lee single stage press. I have the Lee three die pacesetter set: Full length sizer, bullet seating die and factory crimp die.
As suggested, I will remove the decapper, a little apprehensive about doing that because there are no instructions on how or getting it correctly back together, and re-size a few cases.
I will keep you posted on how that turns out and what I get for a measurement on the neck expander.
No thoughts on the Hornady bullets being .357" and not .358"?
I e-mailed Lee and informed them about what I'm experiencing. I will let you know what they say. Thanks everyone for you input and insight! It is very much appreciated and please keep it coming!

[highvel]

Hornady 180 gr. HP and FP's are .357" the 200 gr. SP and RN are .358"

Quite a few people use the .375" bullets designed for the .38 Special the .357mag,.357 Herrett etc in the .35 Rem TC Contender.

[Sport45]

As suggested, I will remove the decapper, a little apprehensive about doing that because there are no instructions on how or getting it correctly back together, and re-size a few cases.

Before you take it apart, note how high the end sticks up above the collet. Most of mine protrude about 1/8". You want it down enough to press the primer out, but not so far that the rod itself hits the bottom of the case.

When you put it back together a dab of never-seize on the threads helps. Try not to get any lubricant on the rod or ID of the collet.

While its out you can chuck it in a drill and polish a thou or so off the OD with some fine emory cloth. Polish it with 1000 or 1500 grit wet/dry sandpaper.

[Mainner]

I am consistently getting .357" dia on the bullets when I should be getting .358" as specified on the box of Hornady 200gr 35 Rem RN .358"dia bullets. Should I bring them back to the store and ask to check another box?