How do progressive press users measure the case after sizing?

[chbrow10]

Apologies if this has been asked and answered before. The search function is not working for me this morning.

I am considering buying a progressive press and reloading .45ACP. My question is: How do you check for case length after sizing in a progressive press? It seems to me that you would have to remove the sized case from the shell plate and measure it, then trim if necessary, and re-install it on the shell plate.

What am I missing?

If it matters, I am considering the Lee Pro 1000.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

 

[jmorris]

I’ve reloaded tens of thousands of 45acp rounds and I’ve trimmed exactly none. The only way I “measure” is by case gauging every round when I’m finished reloading.

 

[presspuller]

I’ve reloaded tens of thousands of 45acp rounds and I’ve trimmed exactly none. The only way I “measure” is by case gauging every round when I’m finished reloading.

What he said. Load shoot, load shoot, load shoot. That is about it as far as the measurement go other than checking OAL.

 

[Sport45]

Welcome to The High Road! Ask away. You'll find lots of good help here. I know I have and still do.

I too, have never trimmed a .45acp case. For that matter I have never run across any handgun cartridge that required trimming.

 

[Sam1911]

Hi!

When I started loading .45ACP on a single stage press way back when, I did trim my first few batches of cases. I religiously checked them after the first firing or two and they hadn't changed.

I've still got most of that brass and its in the rotation. Most of those cases have been loaded like 20 times. I've never checked them again.

I usually do check a new batch of brass before I run it through, especially in a new caliber, but I've always found them to be well under max lengths.

Now precision rifle brass is a different story, but if I'm being that anal about it I don't load it on the progressive, usually, anyway.

-Sam

 

[Walkalong]

I run all my brass, after tumbling, though my progressive using just the sizer die. After that is when I trim, if needed. I then prime with my RCBS hand primer. Then I run it through it all through the press again to load it. I do this with all calibers.

Welcome to THR

 

[Dirtypacman]

I don't have that much experience as I only got into reloading this past year but I just check the cases before putting them through the press and then once again every 10 to 20 after they are through the press. I have yet to have one that exceeded the max case length or ever having to trim one.

 

[FieroCDSP]

Straight wall cases don't lengthen appreciably. You might, over the course of 10 loads or so, see enough lengthening to justify trimming back to a consistant length for crimping uniformity, but it's not like rifle cases that could fail to release the bullet.
The biggest problem I've ever had with my progressive was with my 40cal cases tipping as they fed. On the Loadmaster's case feeder, you have to set the height for the case to feed right. If you set it just barely above the mouth of one case, another one that is slightly longer could jam the works. I've fixed the tipping problems and I make sure to allow enough space for an odd case, problem solved. I loaded 100 rounds this morning with no case hang-ups or tips.

 

[redneckrepairs]

How do progressive press users measure the case after sizing?

Well normally they mesure the case by progressive standards......

Hillery is good , and no normal person has need of a gun anyway .

Jeanie Assam is a trained security guard/off duty cop not a typical colorado ccw holder .


Yea i know its off topic , but i couldnt help myself given the thread title lol .

 

[Shoney]

W E L C O M E _ T O _ T F L ! ! ! chbrow10

The only time, if ever, that straight wall pistol cases need to be trimmed is when you first get them. That usually isn't necessary unless you are a serious target shooter, and the cases do not vary greatly in length.

FieroCDSP
Straight wall cases don't lengthen appreciably.

In fact, straight wall pistol cases shorten a micro bit each time they are loaded. The amount they decreased is hardly noticeable after 5-6 loadings, but after 20 it is noticeable, if you keep a log.

In my experiences, the amount of case decrease is reduced by cleaning and polishing the cases, and even less change when I started adding Turtle Wax to the polishing compound.

The best case gauge is your pistol barrel. (see attached file) Remove it and drop the cases in to make sure they chamber properly. The 45ACP headspaces off the lip at the case mouth.

 

[Shoney]

Trying the file attachment again,

 

[jmorris]

The only problem with using your barrel instead of a case gauge is that you are only checking a portion of the rim (only where the hood is). So if the rim has a defect caused by the extractor or ejector it can pass this test on the first try then be “clocked” differently and cause a malfunction. I know this because I used the barrel until a malfunction as described above cost me a win. If you are just plinking it doesn’t matter I never used a case gauge until I started shooting competition.

 

[Deavis]

Good luck hitting the max OAL required for a trim with an autoloading pistol cartridge. I've been trying for years and it isn't happening. Even with some really hot 10mm, I can't mic any over spec

 

[evan price]

I have never measured or trimmed any pistol cartridges. Since there is no bottleneck there is nowhere for extra material to come from. I would imagine that .357 Sig or .30 Luger would be ones to watch carefully but anything else, no worries, mate. Welcome to THR.

 

[robertbank]

The .45acp case will shorten not lengthen with full length resizing. Too, I have yet to find new unfired case or any case for that matter that exceeded SAMMI specs for this cartridge. I am sure they are out there but in the thousands of rounds I have shot I haven't found one that exceeded .898 in length.

Checking your OAL of your cartridge after reloading makes some sense (I try to set my dies right to spare myself the exercise), but trimming .45acp cases doesn't.

Take Care

Bob