case trimming- case already too short

[billetmann]

i need some advice.

i am new to reloading and taking my time - seems everytime i make a turn for the next step i need a new gadget.

case trimming- i am reloading .338-- the case length calls for 3.50 length trim to 3.490 i have some of my cases that are already 3.482,3.484-- so shorter than the called for 3.490-- are these any good? should i load them or toss them? or can i use them for plinking?

any input is appreciated.

[popeye4]

i need some advice.

i am new to reloading and taking my time - seems everytime i make a turn for the next step i need a new gadget.

case trimming- i am reloading .338-- the case length calls for 3.50 length trim to 3.490 i have some of my cases that are already 3.482,3.484-- so shorter than the called for 3.490-- are these any good? should i load them or toss them? or can i use them for plinking?

any input is appreciated.

I think you might have the case length confused with the cartridge OAL dimension. And which .338 are you discussing, the Winchester or Lapua? Or .338-06?

[billetmann]

my mistake trying to go from memory

the case lengths are 2.50 max-- trim to 2.490 -- some i have are already 2.482-2.484.
these are ones i fired once from new box ammo.

338 win mag

[XDRoX]

Sometimes cases are short. That's good because you don't have to trim them. When I do trim I make sure to trim really short so I don't have to trim again in a while.

I've also gotten batches of brass that didn't need a trimming after one shot.

To be honest, and a lot of guys aren't going to like this comment. Trimming is pretty over rated. It's not as necessary as a lot of guys think.

You may want to look into an RCBS X-die. You only have to trim your brass once and then never again.

[MaHoTex]

To be honest, and a lot of guys aren't going to like this comment. Trimming is pretty over rated. It's not as necessary as a lot of guys think.

I am with you on this XD.

[popeye4]

my mistake trying to go from memory

the case lengths are 2.50 max-- trim to 2.490 -- some i have are already 2.482-2.484.
these are ones i fired once from new box ammo.

338 win mag

That shouldn't be a problem. The neck on the .338 Win Mag is 0.330 inches in length when trimmed to 2.490 inches, so shaving a few thousandths off that is no big deal (it just slightly reduces the amount of neck holding the bullet). Having the case too long is a problem if the case is longer than the chamber recess for the neck, which can increase pressure if the case neck is constricted by the chamber walls. Consistency in case length is also more important if you are crimping.

[gunboat]

I will be number three on the trimming over-rated bandwagon --
The short cases will not be a problem --

[22popnsplat]

I tried the rcbs x-die in .223 , did not work out well for me . When i do trim i will pick the shortest case in the lot and trim the rest to match .

[FLIGHT762]

my mistake trying to go from memory

the case lengths are 2.50 max-- trim to 2.490 -- some i have are already 2.482-2.484.
these are ones i fired once from new box ammo.

338 win mag

Since you are new to reloading, I need to ask you, the cases that are 2.482"-2.484". You are measuring them AFTER you have full length resized them?

If so, they are fine. Some new reloaders don't know you measure after F/L sizing. The cases will measure short after firing.

[billetmann]

yes measured after resizing.

i trimmed these shorter ones all to 2.482 and loaded them the same.

the others trimmed to 2.490 and loaded them in groups of ten .5 grains up each group.

this way i can see what my rifle likes.

thanks for the input.

[bruceflinch]

Go for it!