22-250 Case Length Problem

[345 DeSoto]

Got everything all set up to reload my first batch of 22-50. I was setting up my trimmer to trim all my brand new never fired Remington cases, but when I measured them they all measured out to 1.9055 to 1.9060 OAL. I sized a couple of the new cases, and that's what they came out to. I measured a couple of once fired (in my gun) UMC sized cases, and they all measured up at 1.9120 on the button. What's up!? Is there an allowable size range on case OAL for 22-250 cases? I want to trim my cases to a uniform length, but, everything I've seen on OAL says 1.9120. Help, guys...

 

[rcmodel]

They get longer when you fire & resize them.
Don't worry about trimming till they have been fired & resized at least once.

Every chamber and sizing die is just a frog-hair different.
Hard to say what they will come out to if you trim them before you even shoot them the first time.

rcmodel

 

[mkl]

According to my Hornady manual, the 1.912 dimension is the maximum case length. Anything longer and you trim. The manual states the case trim length (the "trim to length") is 1.892.

My Speer manual suggests 1.912 maximum and trim to length of 1.902.

I would think either of the "trim to" lengths are okay.

 

[345 DeSoto]

DOH!... Thanks guys. I never had to deal with that with .45 ACP cases...

 

[Idano]

The purpose of the expander ball is to reform the neck. If you get a dented neck without the expander you wouldn't get it round again. This is why I like the RCBS X-Dies when available. They've designed the expander to limit stretching.

 

[jenrob]

measured up at 1.9120 on the button.

Hornady manual, the 1.912 dimension is the maximum case length. Anything longer and you trim. The manual states the case trim length (the "trim to length") is 1.892.

My Speer manual suggests 1.912 maximum and trim to length of 1.902.

Myself I would trim your brass that you measured at 1.912 and trim it back to atleast 1.902 or 1.892.

I don't like to run max length but have done it. Nothing wrong with it but that means that next time I fire it that I had better remember to trim it or I could run into trouble.

Most of the time you can trim it and forget it (sounds like a ronco commercial) for a couple of fireings.

After I trim to lenght and fire them the first time. I check every so many for length if any of them are close I check all of them.

After fireing them a couple of times I will check the whole lot once they are within a couple thousandths then I start to trim again.

Most of the new brass I dont even size. I'll chamfer and debur load them then neck size from there.

Idona
Not to rob this thread but how you like the x-dies. I thought about them last year but never did get one. I thoght about coming out your way till I seen how far Peck was.

 

[Idano]

You only have to trim your brass once before you ever run it through the X-Die and then never again. I have reloaded some of my .223 brass ten times and have never had to trim them a second time. So far the only brass I have ever had to toss was after the primer pocket wears out and none so far for splits. So I am a big fan of the X-Die as if you can't tell.

 

[jenrob]

Might have to try one in the 223 and 22-250