Trimmer pilot won't insert into 380 Auto case

[btefft]

Trimmer pilot won't insert into 380 Auto case

I called Hornady this afternoon because Hornady trimmer pilot #15 will fit into a 9mm case, but I will not insert into a .380 Auto case.

The tech asked me if I resized before trimming and I say "Yes". He said that was the problem. Resizing made the case too small.

I thought it was a common practice to resize, then trim, am I wrong?

Hack

 

[Jim Watson]

I have never trimmed a straight walled pistol cartridge except for a bag of mixed .357s that I wanted to get to the same length for roll crimping.

Why do you need to trim .380s?

 

[Steve C]

IMO trimming pistol cases is a colossal waste of time. Never had one get longer from being shot and reloaded.

 

[btefft]

Thanks for the feed-back - I just wanted to get them all the same length for taper crimping.

Hack

 

[rcmodel]

Taper crimping for an auto is not nearly as length critical as roll crimping for a revolver.

There is almost never a need to trim straight wall auto-pistol cases.

BTW: Yes, it is common practice to trim after sizing.
I'm very surprised Hornady told you that.

If you trim before sizing, all your effort is for naught when the case grows again when it is sized.
Some will always grow more then others, and they will not all be the same length.

rcmodel

 

[Sport45]

Is the pilot too big around or is it hitting the bottom of the case?

I wouldn't have been trying to trim .380 either. I only measure and trim rifle brass.

 

[SASS#23149]

I too thinik it is very common to size before trimming.
Odd response from the 'tech'...or whoever he was.
Measur the difference and emery the pilot to fit snugly I guess.

 

[25 Pdr]

My Lyman trimmer 9mm pilot measures 0.347" if your Hornady one is the same size it shouldn't matter if the cases are resized first, it should still fit.

Check the wall thickness of your cases at the mouth. Should be around 0.010" thick. If much thicker the problem is with the brass.

 

[rcmodel]

Or the .380 sizing die.
btefft says the pilot fits in his 9mm cases, and they have thicker necks then the .380 case should have.

It may be the .380 sizing die is squeezing them down way too small.

rcmodel

 

[snuffy]

Or the .380 sizing die.
btefft says the pilot fits in his 9mm cases, and they have thicker necks then the .380 case should have.

It may be the .380 sizing die is squeezing them down way too small.

rcmodel

Bingo! If it's that the sizer is sizing too much, you could try expanding before trimming. Back off the expander die a half turn so it doesn't bell, that may allow the pilot to enter the brass.

Same here for trimming handgun brass. The ONLY time I ever did that was for handgun silhouette for 44 mag in standing production.