.223 Brass Length

[LloydXmas250]

I just jot my powder and primers and I was going to load a few up tomorrow for some pre-Thanksgiving fun. I have read the max trim length for .223 brass is 1.760 yet I've noticed a few of my once fired and full-length sized brass is actually shorter than that. Is this a problem? Can the brass be shorter than 1.760? Would it be safe to use? I don't have my trimmer yet, it's still in the mail, so I was just going to select a few that all have the same length. What's a good length to load? Exactly 1.760? Thanks

[swifty]

Yes, you are fine. If the brass exceeds the Maximum Trim Length then you can have issues. For best consistency, all of your brass should be at the same length. Some books also list a Minimum Trim Length.

[FLIGHT762]

The maximum recommended length is 1.760". Wherever you read that the maximum trim length is 1.760" you should have also read the recommended trim length is 1.750". Trimming lengths are usually .010-.015" less than SAAMI max length.

When you measure the length of your brass, you measure after the brass is resized. Brass will grow(lengthen)a bit when resized.

You are safe to load any brass that measures 1.760" or under after being resized.

You should get a good loading manual and do some reading on the subject. I like the Sierra manual and would recommend it . There's a lot of technical information in their manual on how to.

[LloydXmas250]

Sorry I didn't clarify. I measured after sizing. Not many are over 1.760 so I'm pretty good then. I'll just caliper a bunch of ones that are the same length and use those. Thanks again.

[IrishJoe3]

On the same note, what is the best case trimmer and why?

[swifty]

Trimmers all do the same job, basically. Selection depends on dollars vs. speed.

The Giraud does it all; Giraud on YouTube

[Mrskylinetou]

425 bucks is what I found it for. That's a lot of money for a trimmer. I use hornady but it does take me a long time to do 1000 brass.

[LloydXmas250]

What's a minimum length for a case?

[foxtrotuniformlima]

In general, rifle brass grows, it does not shrink so it is as short as it needs to be from the factory. I would not worry about the brass being too short. All it will do is give the bullet less area to touch so unless you are loading heavy bullets long, you will be fine.

[foxtrotuniformlima]

Oh, and here was a good discussion on trimmers : http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=171709

[swifty]

There is no minimum. The maximum length exists because of the physical size of the chamber. The OAL(over all length) must still be adhered to.

[FLIGHT762]

You don't run into too much trouble having a case too short, but having inconsistent or different lengths, you will have irregular crimps, if you crimp.

One issue you can have in high velocity, bottle necked rifle cartridges is a too short case neck(shorter than .050" plus) you can get some gas cutting at the end of you chamber where the case neck area ends and the throat begins.

Speer, in some of their old loading manuals had recommended against reforming 30/06 cases to .270 Winchester cases. The cases are basically the same except the 30/06 case is .050" shorter than the .270. They said you could get gas cutting/erosion in that gap area in the chamber.

Some of the old powders like High Velocity #2 were erosive and caused this problem. The powders today don't have that issue. Speer manuals since the late 70's have now said reforming 30/06 to 270 Win. cases is acceptable and there shouldn't be any issues.

Most of my rifle cases get trimmed between .010"-.015". If I get an occasional one a little shorter, it doesn't matter.

[LloydXmas250]

Good to hear. Thanks guys

[joelogic]

I find some LC brass to be on the short side so I trim all my .223 brass to 1.740".

[freonr22]

re: trimmers, Possum Hollow in a cheap drill press kicks butt! Nothing against the Giraud at all except for the $$