trimming once used 223 brass???

dobroman · February 1, 2011, 06:15 PM

Greetings all, I'm wondering just how often should I expect to have to trim the brass on 223/5.56 casings. I know that they make case trimmers for a reason, just trying to get an idea if it has to be done every time a case is used or what to expect. Thanks in advance!!!!

DiscoRacing · February 1, 2011, 06:17 PM

Would depend on how hot your loads are .... I trim mine about every 3 loadings.. but mine are loaded low with small bullets...and shot from a bolt rifle.

Incognito · February 1, 2011, 06:37 PM

On average I'd say only about 10% of my cases need trimming after shooting through an AR. So yes, you'll more than likely need to trim everytime, just not the whole batch. It's also dependant on how short you initially trim them; the closer to maximum length the cases are, the more likely the will require trimming.

dobroman · February 1, 2011, 06:37 PM

Thanks DiscoRacing, I had some ideas that pretty well followed what you had to say. I'll just have to experiment with different loads till I find " the right one" for my AR. Then see how the cases hold up. I appreciate the response.

dobroman · February 1, 2011, 06:41 PM

Thanks Incognito, I guess just like most things, I'll have to learn by doing. Appreciate the feedback.

DiscoRacing · February 1, 2011, 06:56 PM

It depends on how accurate you want the case length to be.... you can trim them every single time and half or more maybe actually have expanded...but the amount will be so small that it will be more time consuming than the actual accuracy that you will lose/gain...

... on the other hand if you are shooting 1,000yds...and you weigh each bullet and each case before using.... then you would want them as close to the same as possible... which would mean you would trim them alll the time.

... accuracy depends on how many functions of the shooting/loading process that you can duplicate with zero variance.

Dave R · February 2, 2011, 04:21 PM

Its been my experience that MOST factory cases are long to begin with. Sometimes amazingly long. Particularly .223 cases.

So I usually trim the FIRST time I use a case. Then after 4-5 shootings. I don't load real hot.

February 1, 2011, 06:15 PM	#1
dobroman Member Join Date: February 11, 2009 Location: Central Texas Hill Country Posts: 22	trimming once used 223 brass??? Greetings all, I'm wondering just how often should I expect to have to trim the brass on 223/5.56 casings. I know that they make case trimmers for a reason, just trying to get an idea if it has to be done every time a case is used or what to expect. Thanks in advance!!!!

February 1, 2011, 06:17 PM	#2
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,640	Would depend on how hot your loads are .... I trim mine about every 3 loadings.. but mine are loaded low with small bullets...and shot from a bolt rifle.

February 1, 2011, 06:37 PM	#3
Incognito Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 370	On average I'd say only about 10% of my cases need trimming after shooting through an AR. So yes, you'll more than likely need to trim everytime, just not the whole batch. It's also dependant on how short you initially trim them; the closer to maximum length the cases are, the more likely the will require trimming.

February 1, 2011, 06:41 PM	#5
dobroman Member Join Date: February 11, 2009 Location: Central Texas Hill Country Posts: 22	Thanks Incognito, I guess just like most things, I'll have to learn by doing. Appreciate the feedback.

February 1, 2011, 06:56 PM	#6
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,640	It depends on how accurate you want the case length to be.... you can trim them every single time and half or more maybe actually have expanded...but the amount will be so small that it will be more time consuming than the actual accuracy that you will lose/gain... ... on the other hand if you are shooting 1,000yds...and you weigh each bullet and each case before using.... then you would want them as close to the same as possible... which would mean you would trim them alll the time. ... accuracy depends on how many functions of the shooting/loading process that you can duplicate with zero variance.

February 2, 2011, 04:21 PM	#7
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	Its been my experience that MOST factory cases are long to begin with. Sometimes amazingly long. Particularly .223 cases. So I usually trim the FIRST time I use a case. Then after 4-5 shootings. I don't load real hot.