How short is too short to trim?

Demaiter · July 25, 2009, 07:14 PM

I know the max brass length for a .30-06 is 2.494 inches. Whats the minimum then?

freakshow10mm · July 25, 2009, 07:27 PM

Look in your manual. It will have this information.

Farmland · July 25, 2009, 07:28 PM

2.484

W. C. Quantrill · July 25, 2009, 07:31 PM

You need to spring for a reloading manual. Also internet search is your friend.

PCJim · July 25, 2009, 07:33 PM

The "true" minimum? That's a good question as almost all manuals only list a trim to length. Almost universally, the trim to length is 0.01" less than maximum.

w686mt · July 26, 2009, 12:56 AM

That does bring up a good question. If I go beyond the "trim to" spec, how far before it gets dangerous? I have over trimmed by mistake. But only a couple of thousandths. What actually happens when the case is out of spec?

F. Guffey · July 26, 2009, 06:37 AM

Trimming is made up of fragmented thoughts and ideals with no complete thought that ties it all together. Again, I have one 30/06 that I add .014 to the length of the case between the head of the case to the shoulder, when trimming I add the .014 to the 2.494, case length 2.508.

How dangerous can it be? The 30 Gibbs chamber has an advantage over improved chambers, the barrel can be chambered without setting the barrel back and all of the original chamber is removed, except, the length of the chamber remains the same, 30/06. When forming and or fire forming cases shorten, part by compression when necked up and stretching of the neck, and, when fired the case expands and fills the chamber, the expansion of the brass pulls the neck back when the neck becomes part of the shoulder, with all of this activity the 30/06 case will shorten .030 thousands in the process, the same for the 35 Whelen when formed from 30/06 cases, that is the reason my favorite case is the 280 Remington, the shoulder is already further out by .051 thousands and it is .041 longer than the 30/06, meaning I can add .030 thousand to the neck, and, cover all of the chamber with the case, plus I can add to the length of the case to compensate for head space, back to danger, a short case will not cover the chamber and will allow the neck portion of the chamber to be exposed to erosion, If I can cover the chamber,I cover the chamber but it helps if the reloader knows a method or technique that will allow them to measure the length of the chamber, or they can trim the case because it is in the book.

F. Guffey

July 25, 2009, 07:14 PM	#1
Demaiter Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2008 Posts: 242	How short is too short to trim? I know the max brass length for a .30-06 is 2.494 inches. Whats the minimum then?

July 25, 2009, 07:31 PM	#4
W. C. Quantrill Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2008 Location: No Man's Land Posts: 354	You need to spring for a reloading manual. Also internet search is your friend. __________________ NRA Life Whittington Center Life

July 26, 2009, 12:56 AM	#6
w686mt Junior Member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Posts: 5	How short is too short to trim That does bring up a good question. If I go beyond the "trim to" spec, how far before it gets dangerous? I have over trimmed by mistake. But only a couple of thousandths. What actually happens when the case is out of spec?

July 25, 2009, 07:27 PM	#2
freakshow10mm Junior member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Location: MI Posts: 1,398	Look in your manual. It will have this information.

July 25, 2009, 07:28 PM	#3
Farmland Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Posts: 869	2.484

July 25, 2009, 07:33 PM	#5
PCJim Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2008 Location: FL Posts: 570	The "true" minimum? That's a good question as almost all manuals only list a trim to length. Almost universally, the trim to length is 0.01" less than maximum.

July 26, 2009, 06:37 AM	#7
F. Guffey Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Posts: 7,249	Trimming is made up of fragmented thoughts and ideals with no complete thought that ties it all together. Again, I have one 30/06 that I add .014 to the length of the case between the head of the case to the shoulder, when trimming I add the .014 to the 2.494, case length 2.508. How dangerous can it be? The 30 Gibbs chamber has an advantage over improved chambers, the barrel can be chambered without setting the barrel back and all of the original chamber is removed, except, the length of the chamber remains the same, 30/06. When forming and or fire forming cases shorten, part by compression when necked up and stretching of the neck, and, when fired the case expands and fills the chamber, the expansion of the brass pulls the neck back when the neck becomes part of the shoulder, with all of this activity the 30/06 case will shorten .030 thousands in the process, the same for the 35 Whelen when formed from 30/06 cases, that is the reason my favorite case is the 280 Remington, the shoulder is already further out by .051 thousands and it is .041 longer than the 30/06, meaning I can add .030 thousand to the neck, and, cover all of the chamber with the case, plus I can add to the length of the case to compensate for head space, back to danger, a short case will not cover the chamber and will allow the neck portion of the chamber to be exposed to erosion, If I can cover the chamber,I cover the chamber but it helps if the reloader knows a method or technique that will allow them to measure the length of the chamber, or they can trim the case because it is in the book. F. Guffey