trimming pistol brass

[z-bob]

The only pistol brass I trim is .30 Carbine. It's very important to trim that one every time you use it (sometimes the trimmer won't cut anything, sometimes it cuts a *lot*.)

I also use Lee trimmers to make one cartridge into another, like cutting 9x19 down to 9mm Mak, or forming Nagant Revolver brass out of .223 (I haven't quite got that one down yet)

If you have .44 Mag brass with split case mouths, you might could trim it and make .44 Specials out of it. Or .357 Mag -> .38 Special, but that one is less useful.

[Revoman]

I trim for the same reason as J-cat explained, uniformity.

I refuse to waste components on IMO inferior ammo, why would I? Components are costly and as such, I don't want to use them in anything that isn't as perfect as attainable.......not even what is normally called plinking ammo.

The other reason for trimming is that there are some select firearms available that simply will not function properly if the case is not the proper length or slightly shorter. I have one of those target guns, thus I always trim for that gun specifically.

I already have the case gauges, but thanks!

[z-bob]

I trim for the same reason as J-cat explained, uniformity.

I sort my brass by headstamp for uniformity. (and it looks cool) I haven't gotten good enough to where trimming would help my accuracy.

[kenz]

just in case anyone wants to try it. I've got these case length gauges for sale: 38spl, 9mm, 40s&w, 45acp.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=346137

[Afterburnt]

I trim for the same reason as J-cat explained, uniformity.

I refuse to waste components on IMO inferior ammo, why would I? Components are costly and as such, I don't want to use them in anything that isn't as perfect as attainable.......not even what is normally called plinking ammo.

The other reason for trimming is that there are some select firearms available that simply will not function properly if the case is not the proper length or slightly shorter. I have one of those target guns, thus I always trim for that gun specifically.

I already have the case gauges, but thanks!

which gun is it?

[J-cat]

I sort my brass by headstamp for uniformity. (and it looks cool) I haven't gotten good enough to where trimming would help my accuracy.

Sorting by headstamp is a great idea. Did you know that there is 20% difference in weight between RP and FC 9mm brass?

[Chief-7700]

Sorting by headstamp is a great idea. Did you know that there is 20% difference in weight between RP and FC 9mm brass?

How does a 20% difference in case weight affect the accuracy of the round?

[z-bob]

How does a 20% difference in case weight affect the accuracy of the round?

the heavier case will have considerably higher pressure. (It's not so much the accuracy of the individual round, but the consistency from one round to the next.)

[J-cat]

Case weight is related to case capacity. The heavier the case, the lower the capacity. The lower the capacity the higher the pressure. When pressure varies from one round to the next, the bullet impact will also vary.

[Chief-7700]

Case weight is related to case capacity. The heavier the case, the lower the capacity. The lower the capacity the higher the pressure. When pressure varies from one round to the next, the bullet impact will also vary.

I can see where the above would apply to compressed powder loads. However
loading 4.7 grain of 231 with a 200 grain LSWC using mixed head stamped .45ACP brass never felt nor seen a difference, between mixed brass or common head stamped brass.

[J-cat]

The 45 is a different animal. It operates at half the pressure of the 9mm and has half the load density.

[Chief-7700]

The 45 is a different animal. It operates at half the pressure of the 9mm and has half the load density.

Never saw a difference in 9mm either! I gave up reloading to max powder charge years ago got tired of the beating my shoulders and the guns were taking.

[Revoman]

Afterburnt:

The firearm referred to is a semi-automatic, Smith & Wesson Model 52, which fires .38 special rounds.
All of the rounds fired in that firearm that are loaded by me are trimmed to a specific length that I know will function in it.
The facory rounds work great, but using mixed brass (which I don't do anyway), or brass not of equal length can sometimes FTF or FTE properly. Finicky, perhaps, but it is a very fine target gun, with many in high regard to it's capabilities.

[J-cat]

Never saw a difference in 9mm either! I gave up reloading to max powder charge years ago got tired of the beating my shoulders and the guns were taking.

The difference depends on the accuracy standard and the capability of the gun.

[ireload]

I trim all of my pistol brass for one reason -- uniformity when I crimp. It aids with uniform powder burn. Though it maybe small but I'm anal with my load.