5.56/223, Trim your cases?

[stormvet]

How many trim their cases? It is the one part of reloading I really hate.
Not talking match rounds just general purpose training rounds, for AR15s.
Is it really needed?

[XDRoX]

I measure and if they need trimming I trim. They do sell an X-die that requires no trimming after one initial trim.

[bruceflinch]

I resize & drop in the case gauge. Trim as necessary.

[stphnman20]

I always trim..

[killshot44]

You left out the most salient option: Do you trim when they're over 1.760" maximum?

The pain in the a*s is measuring every one. Not every one needs to be trimmed, but the only way to know which one is to measure 'em all.

Being Lazy and being a Handloader are a terrible mix. Decide which one you want to be.

[CSACANNONEER]

Using bottlenecked brass that is too long is asking for trouble. Either measure/trim your brass or expect your gun to blow up in your face.

If you are trying to make decent ammo, all your brass should be the same length. If you just want to make cheap blaster ammo, all your brass still needs to be within spec.

[GeoffLinder]

Trimming is important IF you crimp as crimp amount is entirely dependent on case length.

And yes, you must trim if the cases are anywhere near the max length (noted earlier).

If you trim them to minimum (1.750) to start you should be OK for at least 2 firings, but remember, measuring is what must be done to be sure of anything here

[XDRoX]

None of you guys are using an X-die?

[pdq_wizzard]

None of you guys are using an X-die?

I would think even with X-dies you still might need to trim from time to time. I have over 6K of .223 brass so I just batch trim when I need to reload, if it's the right lenth it dosen't get trimed.

[Full Clip]

Another reason why I send out my .223 for processing.

[GeoffLinder]

None of you guys are using an X-die?

Nope, not here. My feeling on it is why bother with an X-die when I have a Gracey trimmer already and trimming is just so easy using the Gracey that it ain't even funny

[davegar1]

I run all cases thru an LE Wilson trimmer for peace of mind and uniformity. Process doesn't take that long and gives nice uniform cases to begin with.

[cjskalka]

I use the Dillon electric trimmer to trim and resize, makes trimming easy.

[Gunsrruss]

Giraud

How many trim their cases? It is the one part of reloading I really hate.
Not talking match rounds just general purpose training rounds, for AR15s.
Is it really needed?

You wouldn't hate it if you had a Giraud trimmer....just simply better than sliced bread

[SuperSet]

I'm with Full Clip (or Full Magazine for the PC crowd). Send out your brass for processing and I even had the Giraud at one time. I hate rifle brass prep.