308 trimming help

[bhilliker@comcast.net]

My third post on switching to riffle reloading. Much more involved than pistol loading Here's the problem I Had tonight----I purchased a Frankford Arsenal automatic trimmer and I am destroying brass faster than I can size it. I set it for 2.005 and trim one. Grab the next piece---put it in and it goes right to 1.999-grrrr. Start the process over, get one trimmed to 2.005 and lock the ring. Put the next one in and right back to 1.99. Ruined 10 pieces of brass. Can't figure it out. Any suggestions would be appreciated

[J-cat]

Your chamber will accept brass closer to 2.050” than 2.005”. Set your trimmer for a case length a bit longer.

[TKM]

It hates your spelling.

[smoothy8500]

Trimmers that index off of the shoulders can vary due to inconsistent sizing. Have you checked to see if your shoulder "datum" to cartridge base measurements are constant? Regardless, as J-cat mentions, you can get away with a longer measurement.

The cases that are a "little short" by .006" won't matter either.

[bhilliker@comcast.net]

TKM----fought that blankety blank for two hours. Skipped dinner----I'm hungry tired and frustrated-----couldn't care less about my spelling--but---if you have a tip I'd love to hear it.

[smoothy8500]

It hates your spelling.

Maybe it's the extra "f" that gets in the way...

[bhilliker@comcast.net]

oh yeah----there were a lot of "F'S"!!!! By the way----you have any experience with an automatic trimmer cause I sure could use a tip

[knucklehead0202]

LEE case length gauge and shellholder and a power trimmer of some sort. I use the Lyman case prep center with an adapter that holds the LEE trimmer bit. So easy a caveman can do it...

[shootsocal_dave]

Bump your shoulders a bit when you size, helps them stay more uniformed for trimming. The better you size the better it will trim

[bhilliker@comcast.net]

Bump your shoulders a bit when you size, helps them stay more uniformed for trimming. The better you size the better it will trim

good info---thank you

[BigBronco]

Is it possible that after locking the ring it changes. Try setting it longer by a tad then locking the ring.

[divingin]

My third post on switching to riffle reloading. Much more involved than pistol loading Here's the problem I Had tonight----I purchased a Frankford Arsenal automatic trimmer and I am destroying brass faster than I can size it. I set it for 2.005 and trim one. Grab the next piece---put it in and it goes right to 1.999-grrrr. Start the process over, get one trimmed to 2.005 and lock the ring. Put the next one in and right back to 1.99. Ruined 10 pieces of brass. Can't figure it out. Any suggestions would be appreciated

Brass at 1.99" will be fine. Not ideal, but fine. I've seen a decent number of factory rounds that measured about that. Try setting your trimmer for 2.010, as that will give you a little wiggle room should it shift short.

[baih777]

Take another 10 pieces.
Size them and so if they will chamber in your rifle.
If they all chamber. Try trimming.
Check the trimmer settings. Make sure everything is tight.
Make sure the trimmer head is free of chips.

I use the RCBS trimmer and a three way trimmer head. And a homemade power adapter to use a drill. I keep a dental pick handy. I clean the head clean of chips every 10 cases.

Are you trimming a mixed headstamp of brass ?

[racinjason233]

Take 10 pieces of identical head stamp and follow the above instructions. Yes “riffle” reloading is a little more complicated then straight wall pistol rounds. Keep at it you will get it. Load the short cases and you won’t have to trim next time after firing...

[ar15barrels]

I purchased a Frankford Arsenal automatic trimmer
I set it for 2.005 and trim one. Grab the next piece---put it in and it goes right to 1.999-grrrr.
get one trimmed to 2.005 and lock the ring. Put the next one in and right back to 1.99.

It sounds like locking the ring is the problem.
How about just trimming without locking the ring?