38 spl case length?

[lefteye42]

Speer manual states "trim to" length of 1.145. My batch of 100 new Starline cases measure 1.142 to 1.150. I intend to trim all to same exact length. The nice folks @ Starline say I'm okay to trim the lot of cases to 1.142, as they use the SAAMI standard of 1.140 to 1.150. That doesn't match the Speer manual. Obviously, I have much to learn. Advice appreciated... I just want to "Get it right".
Thanks.

 

[Jim Watson]

If they are all the same, they will roll crimp more uniformly.
The exact length within a few thousandths does not really matter.

 

[X-Ring]

The trim to length is not the minimum length, it is usually in the middle of the tolerance. 1.145 is the exact middle of 1.140 to 1.150. You will really be wasting your time trimming them, a couple of thousands will not make any difference.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I trim mine to 1.145" and set aside any that the trimmer doesn't touch.

If I'd known that I had shorter cases, I would have trimmed them to 1.140"

 

[Walkalong]

Many years ago when I was checking my scrounged range brass I found some were under 1.145, so I chose 1.140 as a trim length and still use that today.

That said, if you trim to 1.145 and have some fall between 1.140 and 1.145, heck shoot them, as a .005 spread isn't enough to worry about. I am picky about crimps and trim revolver brass for that reason, but through the years have come to realize (Going against my OCD nature), that a .005 spread in .38 Spl won't hurt a thing. Heck, some folks never trim it at all and they can have a much larger spread if using mixed brass. Much larger.

Me? I'll stick with trimming to 1.140.

 

[Jim Watson]

True. The only handgun brass I ever trimmed was a mixed lot of .357 that I wanted to take a uniform heavy roll crimp. Specials with a light wadcutter crimp didn't seem to care. And Internet Panic over "How can I trim my 9mm brass, it is already TOO SHORT?!?" is just kind of sad.

 

[Drail]

I can't remember ever measuring new brass that met the standard for minimum length. They are ALWAYS shorter than the spec. in the book. I agree with Mr. Watson that as long as they are uniform the actual length is not that crucial. If they are all different lengths then I trim them all.

 

[SASS#23149]

size them before trimming them, it will change the length a bit. I always size new brass,I've had bullets literally fall into new brass.
sizing handgun brass is something I gave up several years ago. For blasing ammo like I make, not worth it.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I understand you being nervous because you are new to this but don't throw out your common sense. From what you said it sounds like you had a feeling it was OK. After all, it is only three one-thousandth of an inch. You are right to ask though, nothing wrong with checking.

Welcome to this addiction called reloading. Don't say you weren't warned lol.

 

[Walkalong]

I like uniform crimps, so I trim range brass that varies greatly, but I have tested trimmed vs untrimmed .38 Spl brass with roll crimped bullets and I am not good enough to shoot the difference. When using light taper crimps or no crimps there is not enough difference to matter even when shooting braced.

But I like to trim revolver brass, or buy new brass so it will be uniform. Since you don't find much .32 Long, .32 Mag, or .44 Spl at the range (At least I don't), I bought new for those calibers.

I never trim auto brass, but I know a couple of people who do.

 

[Drail]

I have seen auto brass that was so short it received almost no flare or crimp from a die adjusted for cases that were the correct length. I toss them in the trash. I only trim auto brass (new cases) when it is considerably longer than the other cases. To me the actual length is not that important but they need to be reasonably consistent for expanding and crimping (even taper crimping). I always size and de burr all new brass.

 

[243winxb]

Maximum 1.155" and 1.135" minimum http://www.saami.org 38 Special.

 

[lauderdale]

size them before trimming them

Size before trim. I also do Im @ 1.145 also/w .38 no mixed.

 

[Walkalong]

I have seen auto brass that was so short it received almost no flare or crimp from a die adjusted for cases that were the correct length. I toss them in the trash.

Yes, occasionally with a batch I'll get one that the bullet won't sit in because it is extra short. I just pull it out and scrap it. It gets pulled from station four and the powder dumped in the measure. I then back up the seated round from station five to station four, pull one from the bin and put it in station 5, pull the handle, and get back on track.

 

[Hondo 60]

I have never trimmed handgun brass.
(and I've reloaded over 12,000 rds in each of the last 6 years.)

But that's just my way of doing it, my 2¢.
Of course, you do as you want.
YMMV

 

[entropy]

I used to trim lots of 100 or more of .38 Spl. down after they split. I'd save up the cases , trim down below the lowest split in the lot, and reset my dies to load to that length. Sort of .38 SPl. Shorts. I don't bother anymore, as I don't have 10,000 cases like I used to. I shoot 'em till they split, or are about to, if I catch it, and toss 'em.

 

[Drail]

Pistol brass can be used without ever trimming it but if you want consistent crimps and flaring it's better to get them all in some kind of average length range.