[Rmeju]

I have some .308 brass that is shorter than its listed "trim to" length by about 0.005". Should I just load it up & shoot it, and let the brass stretch?

Is this safe? Does it affect accuracy? Should I just trash those pieces?

Thanks!

[jcwit]

I would load it and shoot it, .005?==.006 is the same as two thicknesses of magazine paper.

But also I seldom ever load close to the max.

[JimKirk]

I'd rather have it too short than too long....

[gamestalker]

Absolutely good to go! I've bought new brass that was short, and have had once fired brass actually lose a few thou when forming up to the chamber. The only rule here is keep them within SAAMI spec., no longer.
GS

[Arkansas Paul]

Go forth, load and shoot my friend. It'll stretch.

[TheCracker]

Sometimes I trim my 223 blasting brass to .005 shorter than the trim to length so it will go 3-4 times b4 it might need to be trimmed again.

Just load up and shoot away. U should b able to go 2-3 times b4 u need to trim again

[YankeeFlyr]

Yes, just seat the bullet to the same COAL as when you developed the load...so the bullet is still positioned the same depth relative to the interior case volume for pressure rise. The ammo should shoot the same POI.

[ArchAngelCD]

In a case as long as the .308 case is, five-thousandths of an inch too short will do no harm at all. IMO in a 308 case, .05" might pose a problem but .005" won't. Now if we were talking about a 25 Auto case.....