Short Brass??

CoyDog · August 14, 2001, 07:13 PM

I'm preparing some once fired Federal factory brass for reloading in 375 H&H, and after sizing I found that about half of these cases measure 2.830 or less. Max is 2.850, and the recommended trim length is 2.840.

Is there a danger of increasing pressure from loading brass that short? I'd appreciate any input on this problem.

Thanks, CoyDog

zot · August 14, 2001, 07:30 PM

I'd measure from shoulder to base, if that is short you'd have trouble,I think the case would stretch back after one loading and
shot,load bullets out closer to lands or alot of gas blow by, just
my thoughts.

Art Eatman · August 14, 2001, 09:51 PM

I doubt there is any danger.

As far as seating depth, I'd check the book's recommendation as to cannelured bullets and the crimp--that's pretty important for the heavy bullet and that amount of recoil.

Ten-thousandths isn't that much, and I'm guessing that the shape of the H&H case would mean a bit more stretch, anyway...A self-healing problem.

What I *would* watch for, after a few reloads, is case stretch back toward the case-head. Watch for any sign of incipient separation-failure. No big deal; just a standard precaution.

FWIW, Art

Johnny Guest · August 15, 2001, 10:03 AM

- - - And once you have fired the cases, you might want to back 0ut the sizing die about a half-turn, so you don't size the shoulder back excessively. Neck and practically the whole case body is hereby sized jus enough, without over-working the brass. Of course, this applies only for the rifle in which the brass was originally fired. In another chamber, these loads MIGHT not function well.

Best,
Johnny

Chris McDermott · August 15, 2001, 03:04 PM

It's long brass that causes problems; that's why when you buy brass and measure it it's almost always shorter than the "trim to" length. The manufacturer's setup the machinery to make sure the brass won't be dangerous, no matter how tight your chamber may be.

yankytrash · August 15, 2001, 05:16 PM

If max is 2.85, and trim-to is 2.84, I ALWAYS go another hundredth to avoid chambering problems. I never know if the next gun I shoot any given load from will be from a match-grade rifle, a forgiving combloc assault rifle, or a big pistol.

I've been using that technique for awhile now. Never had a problem. Load on...

CoyDog · August 16, 2001, 09:09 PM

Thanks for all the responses. I have been handloading for a year and am still in the "follow instructions exactly" stage. Pretty danged hard to trim at 2.840 when the cases aren't that long

.

My Lee Factory Crimp Die won't crimp very well with 2.830 brass, so I settled on 2.835 since about 2/3 of my cases were that long.
Good Shooting, CoyDog

August 14, 2001, 07:13 PM	#1
CoyDog Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2000 Location: Wyoming Posts: 163	Short Brass?? I'm preparing some once fired Federal factory brass for reloading in 375 H&H, and after sizing I found that about half of these cases measure 2.830 or less. Max is 2.850, and the recommended trim length is 2.840. Is there a danger of increasing pressure from loading brass that short? I'd appreciate any input on this problem. Thanks, CoyDog __________________ "A man's choice of weapons is a portal into his thoughts, his values, and his character."

August 15, 2001, 05:16 PM	#6
yankytrash Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2001 Location: Farnham, Va Posts: 2,183	If max is 2.85, and trim-to is 2.84, I ALWAYS go another hundredth to avoid chambering problems. I never know if the next gun I shoot any given load from will be from a match-grade rifle, a forgiving combloc assault rifle, or a big pistol. I've been using that technique for awhile now. Never had a problem. Load on... __________________ Right turn, Clyde.

August 16, 2001, 09:09 PM	#7
CoyDog Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2000 Location: Wyoming Posts: 163	Thanks for all the responses. I have been handloading for a year and am still in the "follow instructions exactly" stage. Pretty danged hard to trim at 2.840 when the cases aren't that long . My Lee Factory Crimp Die won't crimp very well with 2.830 brass, so I settled on 2.835 since about 2/3 of my cases were that long. Good Shooting, CoyDog __________________ "A man's choice of weapons is a portal into his thoughts, his values, and his character."

August 14, 2001, 07:30 PM	#2
zot Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 1999 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 566	I'd measure from shoulder to base, if that is short you'd have trouble,I think the case would stretch back after one loading and shot,load bullets out closer to lands or alot of gas blow by, just my thoughts.

August 14, 2001, 09:51 PM	#3
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	I doubt there is any danger. As far as seating depth, I'd check the book's recommendation as to cannelured bullets and the crimp--that's pretty important for the heavy bullet and that amount of recoil. Ten-thousandths isn't that much, and I'm guessing that the shape of the H&H case would mean a bit more stretch, anyway...A self-healing problem. What I would watch for, after a few reloads, is case stretch back toward the case-head. Watch for any sign of incipient separation-failure. No big deal; just a standard precaution. FWIW, Art

August 15, 2001, 10:03 AM	#4
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	- - - And once you have fired the cases, you might want to back 0ut the sizing die about a half-turn, so you don't size the shoulder back excessively. Neck and practically the whole case body is hereby sized jus enough, without over-working the brass. Of course, this applies only for the rifle in which the brass was originally fired. In another chamber, these loads MIGHT not function well. Best, Johnny

August 15, 2001, 03:04 PM	#5
Chris McDermott Senior Member Join Date: March 30, 2000 Posts: 245	It's long brass that causes problems; that's why when you buy brass and measure it it's almost always shorter than the "trim to" length. The manufacturer's setup the machinery to make sure the brass won't be dangerous, no matter how tight your chamber may be.