223 brass to short ?

[skyline]

I was trimming some range brass yesterday and some of the cases were really short .according to the hornady reloading book the brass should be between 1.50 and max 1.60 I had some brass 1.43 do I toss that brass away or is it ok to reload

[8mmFMJ]

My trimmer for .308 cuts the cases .05 shorter then my hornady book says max length is. It is to account for the stretch when you refire it.

2.015 recommended and my trimmer mic's out at 2.010 IIRC

I want to say I have read .010 shorter then max length is within spec. Someone else should chime in too

[skyline]

I am sorry I meant to say the measurement is 1.750 to 1.760

[baih777]

you can save the short pieces incase you decide to make 300Blackout.
I would not reload them.

[CSACANNONEER]

Too long of brass can be extremely dangerous but, too short is perfectly safe. It may affect precision due to neck tensions varying when mixed with longer but still in spec brass. For plinking or even run and gun type shooting, you'll never know the difference.

My trimmer for .308 cuts the cases .05 shorter then my hornady book says max length is. It is to account for the stretch when you refire it.

2.015 recommended and my trimmer mic's out at 2.010 IIRC

I want to say I have read .010 shorter then max length is within spec. Someone else should chime in too

What trimmer? I'll guess it is one that uses the shoulder as a datum point. If so, the OAL will vary depending on how much you bump the shoulder back. But, as long as it is within spec and your chamber is too, you'll be fine. I try to trim to minimum length or even a bit under that. Just do not go over the recommended OAL unless you have a chamber cast made and know the exact measurements of your chamber.

[skyline]

So I guess my question is can i still reload those cases even thow they are shorter than the book says

[8mmFMJ]

If it's more then .015 under max I wouldn't use them because I think chamber pressures and accuracy can be affected. I find so much in the desert that, for me, if in doubt recycle it.



I thought it was RCBS but just texted my reloading shop owner and he said its LEE.

Here it is

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/476992/lee-case-trimmer-cutter-and-lock-stud

+

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/271467/lee-case-length-gage-and-shellholder-308-winchester

[Rider1k]

I sometimes trim mine a hair short when I get in a hurry. I load them. I don't load for accuracy in 223. Just to plink thru the AR's and Mini. Never been an issue.

[CSACANNONEER]

So I guess my question is can i still reload those cases even thow they are shorter than the book says

Yes you can.

[IntoForever]

Run it through your full length sizing die, see if it stretches it.
Re-read CSA's post.

[bsumoba]

I purposefully cut mine a little short...1.47-1.49, that way I get at least a few reloads before having to trim.

By that time though, Im usually chucking them at that point as my local range supplies me plenty of 223 brass

[klewan]

Bet they're headstamped FC. Federal makes them 1.740", I put those in a separate pile when I first found them. But now I realize they were doing us a favor not having to trim them....

[mjmagee67]

The SAMMI spec for 223 is 1.750 +/- .010 or 1.740 to 1.760, you are good to go. Technically you could trim them all to 1.740 and be in spec. I have my WFT set at 1.745 for my AR I can usually get 3 sometimes 4 reloadings before trimming again. I've loaded some as short as 1.737 ish shot fine.

[kcheung2]

Did you measure that right? We're talking about .223 case length right? 1.43 is a full quarter inch shorter than it should be. Heck, the shoulder starts at 1.438. I find it real hard to believe you managed to trim down the entire neck & shoulder.

[Pauliedad]

I used to trim my short but realized that in the time it takes to check them after the first use I could just run them through one of the trimmers (WFT or now Trim It) and be done with it.