short cases

jambrdly · July 12, 2010, 05:48 PM

Hello: I have been using the Lee Zip Trim to trim .223 cases and have been very happy with it. However, I have noticed that about one case in 20 seems to come out 1.745 length instead of the desired trimmed length of 1.750.

Should I discard the short cases? Is this in any way a safety or accuracy issue?

Don H · July 12, 2010, 05:52 PM

No and no.

338shooter · July 12, 2010, 08:19 PM

There would only be a concern with the shorter cases if you were crimping the bullets. In that case, uniformity would be slightly off, but still not a big deal.

steelman762 · July 13, 2010, 03:02 PM

Consistant crimp location on your bullet seating die would have to change for a slightly shorter case. You can get around this by using the LEE factory crimp die. Slight varience in length won`t matter then.

bow shot · July 15, 2010, 10:14 PM

I wonder if they were short before you trimmed 'em? I really like the Lee system (I don't have a ziptrim, I do it the slow way) and get +/- 0.0005" (6.5x55, and .223)

noylj · July 16, 2010, 03:09 AM

If shooting cases that headspace on the case mouth, case length will affect accuracy (i.e., 9mm max case length is 0.754; best accuracy will be the longest cases you can find, which will be about 0.750; cases less than what you determine is most accurate in your gun are then for plinking and not for shooting that counts--can't grow a straightwall case).
For .223, headspace had better be on the datum on the case shoulder. Unless you are shooting lead, you have no need to bell the case mouth and thus no need to crimp the case mouth.
The only minor affect on accuracy would be the slightly lower total neck tension on the shorter case. Shot it a couple of times, and it will grow for you. Keep trimmed to less than max length and check your case neck dimensions. Unless you have a benchrest-grade rifle, all the case prep in the world except trim length and case neck dimensions, will be mostly of no real benefit except to make you feel better about your reloads.

demigod · July 16, 2010, 09:02 AM

I'd load anything 1.73 or longer. A little shortness means you can get more loads between trimmings.... especially if you ditch the expander ball. w00t!

July 12, 2010, 05:48 PM	#1
jambrdly Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2010 Posts: 105	short cases Hello: I have been using the Lee Zip Trim to trim .223 cases and have been very happy with it. However, I have noticed that about one case in 20 seems to come out 1.745 length instead of the desired trimmed length of 1.750. Should I discard the short cases? Is this in any way a safety or accuracy issue?

July 12, 2010, 05:52 PM	#2
Don H Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2000 Location: SLC,Utah Posts: 2,704	No and no. __________________ Don http://www.utahconcealedcarry.com/forum/

July 12, 2010, 08:19 PM	#3
338shooter Member Join Date: March 20, 2010 Posts: 43	There would only be a concern with the shorter cases if you were crimping the bullets. In that case, uniformity would be slightly off, but still not a big deal. __________________ Rifle Scopes Boresighter

July 15, 2010, 10:14 PM	#5
bow shot Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2009 Posts: 263	huh.. I wonder if they were short before you trimmed 'em? I really like the Lee system (I don't have a ziptrim, I do it the slow way) and get +/- 0.0005" (6.5x55, and .223)

July 16, 2010, 03:09 AM	#6
noylj Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2007 Location: Between CA and NM Posts: 858	trimmed case length If shooting cases that headspace on the case mouth, case length will affect accuracy (i.e., 9mm max case length is 0.754; best accuracy will be the longest cases you can find, which will be about 0.750; cases less than what you determine is most accurate in your gun are then for plinking and not for shooting that counts--can't grow a straightwall case). For .223, headspace had better be on the datum on the case shoulder. Unless you are shooting lead, you have no need to bell the case mouth and thus no need to crimp the case mouth. The only minor affect on accuracy would be the slightly lower total neck tension on the shorter case. Shot it a couple of times, and it will grow for you. Keep trimmed to less than max length and check your case neck dimensions. Unless you have a benchrest-grade rifle, all the case prep in the world except trim length and case neck dimensions, will be mostly of no real benefit except to make you feel better about your reloads.

July 13, 2010, 03:02 PM	#4
steelman762 Member Join Date: January 18, 2010 Posts: 61	Consistant crimp location on your bullet seating die would have to change for a slightly shorter case. You can get around this by using the LEE factory crimp die. Slight varience in length won`t matter then.

July 16, 2010, 09:02 AM	#7
demigod Junior member Join Date: March 13, 2008 Location: AZ Posts: 1,129	I'd load anything 1.73 or longer. A little shortness means you can get more loads between trimmings.... especially if you ditch the expander ball. w00t!