9mm Brass: Better to trim or sort by headstamp?

9mm Luger

Range brass trim length is loadable with .012" difference between shortest to longest. When New RCBS dies are adjusted correctly.

One brass was longer then .754" SAAMI maximum by .002" , but chambered & fired ok. Then it got trimmed.

No sorting range brass for me, but each gets checked closely. No maximum loadings. 700X- 3.2 grs- Lee 356-120-TC cast bullet. Sized to .3568" Wspm primer. OAL 1.045"

If it says 9mm, I load it and shoot it. No sorting or trimming.

I load 9mm for IDPA and USPSA where the main requirement is reliability. I can get that without sorting or "prepping" brass.
I do cull out some of the same headstamp for careful load testing.

I don't do either for 90% of my 9mm loads. Many times I'll sort my brass by headstamp for load work ups or "special" needs, but for most of my semi-auto handloads I tumble clean, inspect and load 'em up...

I sort by stamp because I’m fussy about neck tension. But I’ve never trimmed a 9mm

I don’t trim 9mm and don’t personally know anyone who does. I usually sort out the internally “stepped” cases which is a PITA. Otherwise I just load and shoot. I’ve never tried sorting by headstamp because if I can hit the 6” plate every time offhand at 20 yards that’s good enough for my purposes.

I've never trimmed any handgun brass. I sort by headstamp.

Sort by head stamp.

CBC brass will load .010" longer oal than Blazer or Win brass even though the cases are the same length and weigh the same.

GRIZ22 said:

I sort by headstamp.

Click to expand...

Do you have different loads for each headstamp?

no sorting or trimming of 9mm

9mm gets cleaned, primed, and loaded up. No measuring done on my 9mm.

I do not trim 9x19 cases.

The only sorting that I do is I toss the few cases that do not fit my shell holder.

I don’t sort.... I cull.
Maxxtech, FM, Aguila, IMT, Shell Shock, MXT and anything that’s crimped goes straight to the dumpster.
I used to sell it to a recycler but they now require: a copy of your drivers license, a photo taken with your mask off and a digital scan of your fingerprint. I said screw that.

The only thing I do to pistol brass is look for bad cases and any form of internal step. Those I cull into the scrap box. I do save the crimped brass aside until I have enough to get out the swage tool and go at it. But that only needs to be done once!

I don't do either for plinking 9mm fmj"s, but for defense and max charge loads, I may do both.

I only trim rifle brass when needed. Head stamps do not concern me.

I sort all brass by headstamp. All of it.

I quit trimming 9mm brass over 30 years ago.

ducky123 said:

Do you have different loads for each headstamp?

Click to expand...

No I don't. I don't load rhino roller loads in any caliber. If I need more than a 9 or 38 I use a 357, more than that I use a 44. If I need more than that I'll use a rifle.

I sort by headstamp to get more consistent seating depths. Some brass like cbc is so hard it will be longer than the rest. You can instantly feel the difference in a sizing die.

The only time I trim 9mm Luger brass is when I'm short of 9mm Makerov brass.

Life is too short

Neither. I just reload mixed brass and shoot the ever-loving heck out them.

I don't do either with any of my standard handgun service cartridges., 9mm, 40S&W, 45 ACP etc. My bucket of 45 ACP has brass spanning from the mid 1940's through new once-fired.