Trim .38spl/.357mag Brass?

[iareConfusE]

How many of you trim your .357mag brass? I was at the range today and spoke to a kind older gentleman who told me that he never trims his .357 brass, and has never had a problem with any of his own reloads. For the record, I don't trim my 9mm or .45ACP brass. I just toss it if it looks warped and cracked.

I'm fairly OCD, and I like things to be pretty close to perfect, but I do know how much of a PITA trimming brass can be, so I wanted to know if its 100% absolutely necessary, or how many, if any, of you guys trim?

[Bill Steele]

Nope

I don't trim either my .357's or .44's. I get what looks like a very consistent crimp (using a LFCD) and very good accuracy out of both of them.

I think if I was shooting in competition, I would probably trim them, even with the crimp die, to assure I was getting the same exact crimp and similar pressures each and every time.

[GSwain]

If i buy once fired, ill trim it before i load it. The only time you are going to need to trim is if you are running full house loads, as itll stretch the brass. I just run it through my zip trim if it is new or once fired new to me, doesnt take long. Dont worry about it after that.

[iareConfusE]

I just remembered that the .357mag cartridge doesn't headspace off of the case mouth like my 9mm and .45ACP do. So logically, trimming it won't do much good except keep a certain level of consistency. Since these are just for range plinking, I suppose I won't even bother trimming.

Thanks for the replies.

[TMC]

There's no need to trim. Most straight wall pistol brass will actually get shorter as you reload because it doesn't stretch like rifle brass when fired and it gets compressed when resized especially if you don't use case lube.

[Cowboy T]

On my .38 Spl and .357M cases, they start splitting, usually at the mouth, long before they ever get too long. I don't bother trimming those.

Now, .454 Casull will stretch. But remember, that's a 50,000+ PSI cartridge. Also, if you're running your .357 Magnum cases at the original Elmer specs (45,000 CUP, about 41,000 PSI), they might stretch a bit.

Since I tend to run my Magnums at around 30,000 PSI, and my .38 Spl's and SAAMI-friendly .45 Colts at about 14,000, my brass lasts quite a while.

[XDRoX]

Trimming's for the birds.

[LGB Loader]

I was taught in '83 to trim my magnum revolver brass for a consistant crimp. My 38 spcl loads (in 357 mag brass) get trimmed once ever 5-7 firings for the same reason.

Pistol brass...I dont trim it.

LGB

[GSwain]

I was taught in '83 to trim my magnum revolver brass for a consistant crimp. My 38 spcl loads (in 357 mag brass) get trimmed once ever 5-7 firings for the same reason.

Pistol brass...I dont trim it.

LGB

This is the only reason I trim it if its new or new to me, I like consistent ammo

[GeoffLinder]

There's no need to trim. Most straight wall pistol brass will actually get shorter as you reload because it doesn't stretch like rifle brass when fired and it gets compressed when resized especially if you don't use case lube.

+1, no need to trim straight wall pistol cases

[Fishslayer]

No need to trim any handgun ammo that headspaces on the mouth.

Trimming will enable more consistent crimp in roll crimped ammo like .357 or .44 magnums.

No real need to roll crimp .38SP. The reason for the crimp in magnums is to keep the bullet from moving under recoil and help slow powders develop pressure for efficient combustion.

[ireload]

I trim mine once and use it till it splits. I like uniformity and consistency. Most of the time I do not load full bore loads.

[Revoman]

I also trim. I use 38's in a Model 52 semi-auto and it helps a lot with feeding. I also use these same loads in a 686 and I like the consistency with the crimps. I believe that it's just that much more accurate.
I reload not only to save money, but make as accurate a round as I can make. Is it a hassle, yup, is it worth it to me, definitely.

[J-cat]

Trimming promotes a more consistent crimp. You only have to do it once. Brass lasts a long time.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

I trim my brass...

If you don't want to trim, get an RCBS "X" Die. You don't need to trim after you've trimmed them once...