Case size and specifications

[slinkZ]

How far off in either millimeters or inches does the case have to be to be considered to dangerous to reload. I have the books and they come with factory dimensions but it does not mention ho far out the length or diameter must be

[USN CHIEF]

As long as you do not exceed max case length you should be good to go.

[rayra]

Reloading book ought to mention the Maximum Overall Length, or Max OL.

Beyond that, it matters what sort of firearm / calibers you are talking about.
Bottlenecked rifle brass headspaces on the shoulder of the cartridge. Too long there and the bolt won't close properly. Too long at the case mouth and it'll interfere with proper crimping or chambering.
Straight-walled pistol brass in semi-autos sits in the chamber on the case mouth, and although very rare, a too long case can again interfere with chambering.
Revovlers, doesn't really matter.

But to be sure, you could purchase reloading case gauges from any reloading supplier. They're essentiall a test chamber for the cartridge brass, with machined steps at both end of the cylinder so you can verfy at a glance that both ends of the case are correctly in spec.

[Beelzy]

Aye Lad.......If it chambers, you fire it. If it flattens the primer like a plate
its too hot, if it doesn't and its accurate you "book" the load.

If you are a numbers guy, always keep within 5 THOUSANTHS (of an inch) when it comes to case length differentials and you will do fine.

[slinkZ]

my book says this under 45acp

Gun 1911A1 Max Length 0.898"
Barrel Length 5" Trim Length 0.888"
Primer REM 21/2 OAL Max 1.275"
Case REM OAL Min 1.150" (Match)

OAL must be over all length i assume
the trim length is what i trim it to after it gets to the max length?
What is the REM?
And what is primer REM
Thanks for the help deciphering

[slinkZ]

Nevermind rem must be remington

[Nodda Duma]

Note that the Trim To Length is always (as in, I've never seen an exception) .010" shorter than Cartridge Overall Length.

-Jason