trimming pistol brass

[kenz]

anyone ever have to do it? I read an article that said you'd probably never have to trim 45 acp brass because it would never last long enough to get long enough to require trimming.

[MrPlutonium]

I just started reloading .45 and I've been using the same brass over and over. Gotten through 6 reloads so far without feeding issues in either the usp or 1911

[kenz]

my lee case length guage on the ball cutter seems a little to wide. I had to expand the cases and even oil the case length guage, then I barely got it in the shell. I was wondering if anyone actually uses these. I was trying to use my lee zip trip with some once fired 45 brass, just to see if there was anything to trim.

[Chief-7700]

my lee case length guage on the ball cutter seems a little to wide. I had to expand the cases and even oil the case length guage, then I barely got it in the shell. I was wondering if anyone actually uses these. I was trying to use my lee zip trip with some once fired 45 brass, just to see if there was anything to trim.

Your wasting your time!! Before a .45ACP case needs trimming it will split or you will lose it.

[kenz]

that's what I thought. Just wanted a second opinion. I assume the same goes for 9mm and .40

[Chief-7700]

Sir, You are correct.

[kenz]

thanks. Anyone wanna buy some Lee case length guages and zip trim shell holders for 9mm, .40, and 45acp?

[fullspeed1]

thanks. Anyone wanna buy some Lee case length guages and zip trim shell holders for 9mm, .40, and 45acp?

Good luck.....

[J-cat]

If you trim your cases to the same length, your crimp will be uniform from one case to the next. Case lengths vary as much as .010" and that means the crimp varies as well. When you ask yourself why your crimp varies from one case to the next, this is why.

[kenz]

this is the article I read about not trimming 45 acp brass.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_1_48/ai_80635898/

[J-cat]

Got it, however if you want your crimp to be uniform, the case length also has to be uniform.

Look at it this way:

The rule is to bell the case mouth minimally, just enough to accept the bullet. If you case length varies, so will the bell. Some will be belled too little and you will shave lead when seating. others will be belled too much.

The same goes for crimping. Some will be crimped too little. Others will be overcrimped.

Trimming all the cases to the same length, within SAAMI specifications, makes life easier.

[kenz]

Got it, however if you want your crimp to be uniform, the case length also has to be uniform.

Look at it this way:

The rule is to bell the case mouth minimally, just enough to accept the bullet. If you case length varies, so will the bell. Some will be belled too little and you will shave lead when seating. others will be belled too much.

The same goes for crimping. Some will be crimped too little. Others will be overcrimped.

Trimming all the cases to the same length, within SAAMI specifications, makes life easier.

I hear ya. so you wanna buy my case length gauges?

[Afterburnt]

What about thick military brass not necessarily .45 ACP, can you shoot it enough that it will last long enough to require trimming?

[Afterburnt]

Just curios because I never load "good" ammo in once fired cases my plinking stuff is just hot enough to function.

[Cowboy T]

Never had to do it in .38/357, .44, or .45LC. Either they haven't stretched far enough yet or the cases fail first.