Case trim length 5.56

[irishpunk]

Here's my dilemma...I'm fairly new to reloading, about 1 1/2 years. I feel like I've got it down OK. I recently bought some brass from a friend, that has already been decapped & re-sized. He also informed me that it was at "trim length". But to be sure, I started to trim the casings with my case trimming tool. After doing so, I measured, the cases were all coming out to 1.72 to 1.725.

Is this to short ? And if so, what should I do. I have well over 1000 cases and most are just over 1.75, but I have found some that exceed 1.76. The tool that I'm using is a simple hand held case trimmer (marked .223) that inserts through the case, then using a cordless drill with a #4 shell holder I trim until the tool bottoms out.

Thanks in advance for any info.

The images that you see are before and after.

 

[Miata Mike]

Sounds like you are using a Lee trimmer. Mine will trim down to roughly 1.75". I don't know off hand what the minimum and max trim lengths off the top of my head.

 

[medalguy]

I believe the book calls for 1.760 length but I trim mine to 1.750 and then I can get 4-5 reloadings before it needs to be trimmed again.

 

[cfullgraf]

Maximum length for 223 remington is 1.760"

The trim to length is 1.750"

Either your trimmer is not set up correctly or your calipers are not zeroed properly.

 

[irishpunk]

Calipers seem fine, in fact I used a second set to make sure. I am in fact using a Lee tool to trim the cases...could it be defective ? Call me OCD, but I just want to insure I'm doing this correctly.

I've read that .223/5.56 already has a, "short neck", so with me trimming even further (down to 1.72 +) is this to short ?

 

[J_McLeod]

Calipers seem fine, in fact I used a second set to make sure. I am in fact using a Lee tool to trim the cases...could it be defective ? Call me OCD, but I just want to insure I'm doing this correctly.

I've read that .223/5.56 already has a, "short neck", so with me trimming even further (down to 1.72 +) is this to short ?

It looks so from the picture, but is your case length gauge screwed in all the way? I only got my Lee trimmer a few days ago, but it will get my cases down to about 1.755

 

[cfullgraf]

Calipers seem fine, in fact I used a second set to make sure. I am in fact using a Lee tool to trim the cases...could it be defective ? Call me OCD, but I just want to insure I'm doing this correctly.

You can use your calipers to measure the length of the Lee case gauge within a few thousandths. It should give you an indication if the gauge is in or out of spec.

You should get measurements about 1.750" or a bit longer. No where near 1.72" you are reporting.

1.72" is probably a bit short for adequate neck tension if you are using a semi-auto 223 Remington. They would work ok in a single loaded bolt rifle and maybe fine in a magazine fed bolt rifle.

 

[StandingTall]

Here's my dilemma...I'm fairly new to reloading, about 1 1/2 years. I feel like I've got it down OK. I recently bought some brass from a friend, that has already been decapped & re-sized. He also informed me that it was at "trim length". But to be sure, I started to trim the casings with my case trimming tool. After doing so, I measured, the cases were all coming out to 1.72 to 1.725.

Is this to short ? And if so, what should I do. I have well over 1000 cases and most are just over 1.75, but I have found some that exceed 1.76.

According to SAAMI specs, 1.740" is the minimum case length for .223.
http://www.saami.org/specifications_and_information/publications/download/206.pdf

The last batch of .223 brass I received measured roughly between 1.745" - 1.755". I have been trimming all these cases down to 1.745" for consistency and have not had any feeding or firing issues. FWIW, I fire these in a S&W M&P15, and I use a Lyman Universal Carbide Case Trimmer.

That all being said, I do believe 1.720" is too short.

 

[bigedp51]

irishpunk

I have been reloading for over 40 years and even though I have a "more expensive" case trimmer I still prefer the Lee trimmer you have pictured and have one for every caliber I reload for.

You don't have OCD you are just measuring and checking your work which is good.

The Lee trimmer is not defective, it just needs "adjusted".

1. Make sure the Case Length Gage Spindle is screwed tightly into the Trimmer Cutter.

2. Trim and measure a case, if over or longer than 1.750 then remove (file, sand, stone) material from the tip of the pin on the Case Length Gage Spindle (shorten the overall length) until 1.750 is reached. (remove from tip that contacts the shell holder base and stops forward movement)

NOTE: Make sure there are no burs or material between Trim Cutter head and the Case Length Gage Spindle shaft that will make the shaft "longer" than normal.

 

[rcmodel]

My .223 Lee trimmer cut progressively shorter the longer I used it in a small lathe.

I found the threads where the depth gage pin screws into the rod had worn to a sloppy fit. And it was screwing in further & further as the treads wore more.

I cleaned & degreased the threads, applied a drop of Blue lock-tight, and adjusted it to cut 1.750".
Then let it set a day to cure before I used it again.

It has never changed again in three years of use.

rc

 

[243winxb]

1.72" is probably a bit short for adequate neck tension if you are using a semi-auto 223 Remington. They would work ok in a single loaded bolt rifle and maybe fine in a magazine fed bolt rifle.

+1 SAAMI minimum usable trim lenght is 1.730", below this, refer to quote above.

 

[Deavis]

Spec is 1.760" - 0.030

http://www.saami.org/PubResources/CC_Drawings/Rifle/223 Remington.pdf

 

[Sport45]

If the Lee trimmer is cutting too short it should be replaced or adjusted as rcmodel describes above.

Has the pin been ground down on the end of your gauge? Something about the gauge in your picture doesn't look right to me. Take it out of the cutter and let us know how long it is from the tip to the shoulder at the threads. Should be pretty close to 1.750".

 

[irishpunk]

There is no way to adjust the case trimmer, it's all one piece (at least the one I have). So I'll buy a new one and see what happens then. It is possible that the end is worn down.

Now my next question is...the rounds that I have loaded into the cases that are cut down to 1.72+, are they OK to use. They look fine (I crimp my cases) and would you use them ?

 

[rcmodel]

No, it is not all one piece.

The depth stop rod is screwed into the cutter like I said in post #10.
It had to be in order for them to grind the teeth on the cutter before they screwed the rod in.

If it's cutting too short, unscrew it and lock-tight it in place at the proper length like I said in post #10.

rc

 

[Sport45]

Or drop a short piece of drill rod in the cutter before you screw the gauge in. Adjust the length of the drill rod to stop the gauge at the correct depth.

Anything can be adjusted. Sometimes you just need a bigger hammer.

So how long is your gauge from the shoulder at the threads to the tip?

 

[Sport45]

Now my next question is...the rounds that I have loaded into the cases that are cut down to 1.72+, are they OK to use. They look fine (I crimp my cases) and would you use them ?

They're probably okay if you have at least .224" of neck. I don't crimp any .223 and don't suggest you crimp those. If your die is set to crimp at that short case length you'll absolutely crush a proper length case that makes its way into the die.

 

[TexasShooter59]

I have the Lee .223 trimmer and it "seems" like it is one piece! That was my first trimmer and it is kind of a pain. If I tried to take the rod out of the cutting handle, I would have to use pliers and it would scratch up the rod to the point it would not insert into a case. I sanded it down and used it some more with out disassembling. Now, I have a L.E. Wilson trimmer - much faster and more pleasant to use.

 

[Sport45]

Didn't you guys get the Lee trimmer in two pieces? The parts are sold seperately. The gauge and shell holder comes in one package. The cutter and lock stud come in another.

 

[TexasShooter59]

Didn't you guys get the Lee trimmer in two pieces? The parts are sold seperately. The gauge and shell holder comes in one package. The cutter and lock stud come in another.

Correct.

 

[helotaxi]

They're probably okay if you have at least .224" of neck.

Good luck with that since a max length .223 case has a neck that is only 0.2027" long.

 

[Sport45]

Guess I should have measured one.

I was going by the ROT of one caliber for seating.

Carry on...

 

[243winxb]

Lee Trimmer parts

 

[irishpunk]

I want to thank each and everyone of you that has posted to this link. I have fixed the problem...thanks to you guys. As it turned out, my case length gauge was flatten out on the tip. Went to Cabela's today and bought a new one.

So now it's back to case prep for me ! Thanks to all of you again...and may you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !