If I am full length resizing my .308 win brass should I trim the brass after or before I size it? I am thinking I should probably do it after I resize right because the sizing might stretch the cases inconsistently leaving some a bit off of each other affecting accuracy or doesn't it really matter?
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When to Trim Cases
- Thread starter bullzeye8
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iShoot17
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Always trim AFTER you size.
Neck sizing will not get you at much stretch as Full Length sizing, but you could still see some. All of my rifle brass gets trimmed through either a Wilson Micrometer or a Giraurd, depending on the caliber, after every firing. You may find that not all cases stretch to the 'max trim length' but as hand loaders, we are going for consistency. Different variations in trim length could cause different lengths of the seated bullet being held onto, which could potentially cause accuracy issues due to the lack of consistency.
To have brass trimmed exactly the same, to the X.XXX, may not be necessary in all forms of hand loading (hunting loads for a rifle that will only be shot 3 times a year compared to your weekend rifle that you want the smallest of groups and extreme accuracy). But why not stay consistent with all of your hand loading practices? I have the same steps, for the most part, in all of the bottle neck cartridges that I load. This includes sizing and trimming every piece of brass that I plan on putting through one of my firearms.
Neck sizing will not get you at much stretch as Full Length sizing, but you could still see some. All of my rifle brass gets trimmed through either a Wilson Micrometer or a Giraurd, depending on the caliber, after every firing. You may find that not all cases stretch to the 'max trim length' but as hand loaders, we are going for consistency. Different variations in trim length could cause different lengths of the seated bullet being held onto, which could potentially cause accuracy issues due to the lack of consistency.
To have brass trimmed exactly the same, to the X.XXX, may not be necessary in all forms of hand loading (hunting loads for a rifle that will only be shot 3 times a year compared to your weekend rifle that you want the smallest of groups and extreme accuracy). But why not stay consistent with all of your hand loading practices? I have the same steps, for the most part, in all of the bottle neck cartridges that I load. This includes sizing and trimming every piece of brass that I plan on putting through one of my firearms.
gamestalker
member
As stated, always trim after resizing.
And even if your neck sizing the brass, it can still stretch. This is even more so true if the brass has only been loaded once or twice, in which case I always trim once fired brass, and it has always needed to be trimmed.
I'll try not to go all long winded, been doing that a lot lately for some reason. But to get to the point, it is imperative to at least check brass length following each resizing session, whether your necking it, FL sizing, or other wise. In other words, never allow your brass to exceed SAAMI maximum specified length. If it exceeds max. there is a risk of the mouth getting pinched in the throat, which can result in extreme pressure spikes and can even damage the throat / chamber in extreme circumstances. OK, that's all.
GS
And even if your neck sizing the brass, it can still stretch. This is even more so true if the brass has only been loaded once or twice, in which case I always trim once fired brass, and it has always needed to be trimmed.
I'll try not to go all long winded, been doing that a lot lately for some reason. But to get to the point, it is imperative to at least check brass length following each resizing session, whether your necking it, FL sizing, or other wise. In other words, never allow your brass to exceed SAAMI maximum specified length. If it exceeds max. there is a risk of the mouth getting pinched in the throat, which can result in extreme pressure spikes and can even damage the throat / chamber in extreme circumstances. OK, that's all.
GS
PhilMc
Member
Fairly new to rifle reloading and just recently I got lazy while resizing some 223 brass. It was slightly too long (OAL of case). Bottom line a round jammed in my AR, took a little bit of doing to get it out.
Not fun to take a hard look at myself and admit that I screwed up. But like others told me when I posted my mistake, check every single round with a case gage.
Now every round gets trimmed even if is only slightly out of Sammi specs! Always trim the neck after resizing the brass.
Not fun to take a hard look at myself and admit that I screwed up. But like others told me when I posted my mistake, check every single round with a case gage.
Now every round gets trimmed even if is only slightly out of Sammi specs! Always trim the neck after resizing the brass.
BillB204
Member
Always AFTER resizing. I trim to .002" shorter than Sammi. That insures that the case will not likely stretch to over Sammi specs and cause problems. I measure after every 2-3 firings and re-trim to keep case lengths consistent to +/- .001".
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