Case Trimming

[Crazyhorse]

Hey guys,
I want to do some mass reloading for 9mm and .40. In the past for rifle rounds I have been able to use a deburring tool to trim the cases slightly. Should I drop the cash for a real trimmer? I'm thinking this might be ok to do 10-20 rifle rounds but doing 2k+ handgun loads it might be faster to get a trimmer.

[ocabj]

Lots of people don't trim handgun. I stopped doing it.

But, this is not safe and you risk serious damage or injury if you have a case that is too long and reloaded in an autoloader.

The easiest way is to simply check your brass with calipers every couple reloads and cull out any over length brass. Then trim later if desired.

[xrMike]

Nobody trims straight-walled pistol brass, do they? If anything, the cases shrink slightly after firing.

Most people just length-size and go.

[Crazyhorse]

Thanks guys.

[rksimple]

I've never had to trim a stright walled pistol case. I love it.

[CSACANNONEER]

If your shooting hot loads from a 500 S&W, .44 mag, 10mm, etc. you probably want to check lengths every loading and retire them after 5 or so loadings. For .25acp, 9mm, .38 S&W, .38/.357, .45acp, .45LC, Lite .44 mag etc. I just load them until I see a problem or I loose them.

[sargenv]

When I loaded the magnum cases like 10 mm for revolver and 357 magnum revolver, after several full power loads, I would get case stretching. Lately I use 38's in my 357's and 40 brass in my model 610 so case stretching is a moot point. Pistol brass does not usually stretch enough to worry about before it splits or you lose it.. I would not worry about it.

[ar15barrels]

Do some people actually trim handgun brass?

I never have.

[CSACANNONEER]

Do some people actually trim handgun brass?

I never have.

.357 sig, .40 corbon, .357 maximum, 7 TCU, 44/40 etc. As well as various wildcats and heavy loads from most straight walled magnums.

That's why I usually shoot .45acp, .38S&W, 38 Special, .25acp, 44 mag, 45 LC and sometimes 9mm!

[kurac]

I trim all of mine when I first get them. Not because they are too long, just to be sure they are all the same length. Having them the same length is important for consistant crimping. For my revolver shells, I trim them another time after they have been fired 8-10 times and this is mainly to make sure they don't start splitting at the necks.

[30Cal]

You might need to trim some of the magnum pistol cases. But not the popular semi-auto calibers. Heck, I'd rather throw the entire bunch of brass away rather than trim a single pistol case.

Ty

[Crazyhorse]

Thanks for the replies. I have only reloaded .222, .243, .270, .300, and a few .44 mags so I'm used to having to check and trim. This will be the first time I have done reloading by myself.

Thanks,
E

[bruceflinch]

I have .40 brass, that has been reloaded 10 times & never trimmed. 168 power factor. Blast away, Brother!

[kris&bela]

I tried doing it but I decided not to do it anymore but for rifle brass it's a must!!