How often do you trim your cases

[Dudemeister]

How often do you trim the cases? Every time you reload them, every other time, 5th, etc?

I've loaded some of my .45LC brass now at least 5 or 6 timers, and other than the original trim I gave them when I first got them, I find them most of it doesn't need any additional trimming.

I now started reloading 30-30 and .45ACP, and while still check the brass, I find that the only brass I occasionally need trim is the new (not fired by me) brass that finds it way back home.

 

[rcmodel]

I trim bottleneck rifle brass the first time I prep it, and then only again if it grows enough to need it.

I never trim Auto pistol brass, as it is a total waste of time and energy.
The taper crimp used on them is just to remove the bell, and it could care less about case length.

Revolver brass only gets trimmed if it is for Magnum or heavy recoiling loads requiring a heavy roll crimp, as the roll-crimp is length dependent.

rc

 

[cfullgraf]

When I first got into reloading 30 years ago, I spent some time trimming handgun cases. Found it was unnecessary and have not trimmed any since. (This does not count trimming 38/45 Clerke during the original forming of the case)

Rifle is a different story. I measure them all after resizing and trim the ones that are over length. Usually runs about 25% to 50% of the cases need trimming.

 

[USSR]

When I first got into reloading 30 years ago, I spent some time trimming handgun cases. Found it was unnecessary and have not trimmed any since.
Rifle is a different story. I measure them all after resizing and trim the ones that are over length. Usually runs about 25% to 50% of the cases need trimming.

+1.

Don

 

[45lcshooter]

^^^+2

the hotter loads stretch the cases more, so if you want less trimming, don't run hot loads. I have a Maximun Case Length Gauge, and I quickly slide them all in before preping cases, quickly weed out the ones that need attention.

 

[BYJO4]

I trim my rifle brass with each loading. I trim pistol brass prior to the first loading just to help maintain an even crimp.

 

[gamestalker]

I trim my bottle neck brass after each firing. I like to keep my brass all the same length.

With regard to wheel gun brass, I also trim it to same lengths after each firing. I do this because I like my crimps to all be the same, thus preventing bullets from jumping up from the mouths prior to rotating into battery position.

I also trim my auto loading brass. I guess it would have been easier to just say "I trim all brass" except that I have different reasons for doing so with each type. As for AL brass, I trim it because that is what the books taught me 3 decades ago, and since I have yet to experience a single problem with any reload in that time frame, I see no reason to delete trimming from my process for any type of brass.
GS

 

[FROGO207]

When I am done shooting up my ammo it goes into 5 gallon buckets to await reloading. So for all bottle necked brass I measure it and trim if needed each time i prep the casings. Along with a good visual inspection/check for case head separation after resizing it.
I never length size straight walled brass (other than 30 Carbine brass) as it never shows growth.

 

[Liberty1776]

exactly what rcmodel said... I've reloaded for 30+ years, and this has always worked for me just fine...

 

[Dudemeister]

I'm a relative newbie at the reloading game. Most of my reloads are of the reduced load variety, and while I've reloaded some brass more time than others, I found that after the original trim, almost none of the brass needed to be re-trimmed.

I think that 45LCshooter is right when he says that hotter loads will stretch the brass more than normal or light loads.

 

[Ehtereon11B]

I trim my cases or rather put them through my trimmer every time I load. Whether any shavings come off or not is another question. I use the Lee trimmers in a cordless drill so it is not very time consuming.

 

[1SOW]

Never have trimmed straight-wall pistol cases. Well, I actually did trim "a few" 9mm, just to see what trimming it would do = Nothing that made a difference over the chrono.

 

[HOWARD J]

I trim rifle cases if needed
Can't remember trimming handgun cases
30-carbine cases seem to need trimming all the time

 

[robfromsc]

I measure all rifle brass after sizing. Trim what ever is over.

 

[James2]

I too am with rcmodel on this one. I loaded for many years with no case trimmer. If the 30-30 or 270 casings got too long, I would take a little off the end with a file then de-burr. Not very precise, but I don't find a little variation in case length to be any problem. What is a problem is if they get too long and hit the end. This may prevent the brass from expanding and releasing the bullet before pressures go too high. I used a Go/NoGo gauge to test for length. Quicker than calipers. I have no idea how many loadings some of my brass may have seen without trimming. Much was retired for other reasons without ever having been trimmed I am sure. Just how much brass grows depends on a number of reasons. Since I now have a trimmer, I will trim a little more often. I check and trim as needed.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I don't trim straight wall cases.

Bottleneck rounds, I trim a hair short and then pretty much don't have to worry about it again. The only exception are those used in varmint or hunting rifles, in which I want to wring out top accuracy. These I'll trim to exact length every single time.

 

[USSR]

30-carbine cases seem to need trimming all the time

Ain't that the truth.

Don