aerod1
Member
How often do you trim your 223 brass? How long does it get before you trim?
The book says 1.760" max. length.
The book says 1.760" max. length.
Trimming 223 brass
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ReloaderFred
Member
I trim it every time I load it, since it seems to stretch quite a bit, especially if I'm shooting it in an AR or Mini-14. It's just easier to make trimming a part of the process. I use a Dillon motorized trimmer, so it's an easy step.
Hope this helps.
Fred
Hope this helps.
Fred
nicholst55
Member
I trim my .223 brass whenever it needs it, and you should too. I trim the entire 'lot' of brass at once, to keep it all a uniform length.
Larry Burchfield
Member
triming brass
I trim my 223 brass about every 2nd or 3rd firing. You should never let your cases get longer than the 1.760 before you trim. If they get longer the cases will deform the brass and bullet when chambered.
I use the Lee tools and a power screwdriver to trim my brass. I don't care for the hand cranked lathe type trimmers at all. I've got an old Lyman that has been gathering dust for a number of years now. I tried a drill but it turns to fast.
Larry Burchfield
SEABEES/RVN/67/68/69
DAV
I trim my 223 brass about every 2nd or 3rd firing. You should never let your cases get longer than the 1.760 before you trim. If they get longer the cases will deform the brass and bullet when chambered.
I use the Lee tools and a power screwdriver to trim my brass. I don't care for the hand cranked lathe type trimmers at all. I've got an old Lyman that has been gathering dust for a number of years now. I tried a drill but it turns to fast.
Larry Burchfield
SEABEES/RVN/67/68/69
DAV
If you have a 5.56 Nato chambered rifle, then I wouldn't worry quite so much about the 1.760 max length, I've run across a whole lot of once fired brass that measures out to 1.770 and over, plus one piece that measured 1.780!
You'd think the rifle would blow up, skies darken, flood waters rise and cats and dogs would start living together, but no, they seem to fire and operate just fine.
On the other hand, if your rifle is a true .223 Rem chamber, then that max length is more important and you aren't shooting milsurp ammo anyway.
I used to trim to minimum length, but at some point I realized I wasn't loading for bench rest accuracy and my rifle wasn't capable of that accuracy anyway, and that trimming to minimum means trimming almost every piece of brass, every single time.
So, now I trim any piece over 1.760 to 1.758 (or so), throw out any piece under 1.750 and leave the rest as is. This means I only trim about 25-33% of the brass I'm processing.
Time and effort savings have been significant.
You'd think the rifle would blow up, skies darken, flood waters rise and cats and dogs would start living together, but no, they seem to fire and operate just fine.
On the other hand, if your rifle is a true .223 Rem chamber, then that max length is more important and you aren't shooting milsurp ammo anyway.
I used to trim to minimum length, but at some point I realized I wasn't loading for bench rest accuracy and my rifle wasn't capable of that accuracy anyway, and that trimming to minimum means trimming almost every piece of brass, every single time.
So, now I trim any piece over 1.760 to 1.758 (or so), throw out any piece under 1.750 and leave the rest as is. This means I only trim about 25-33% of the brass I'm processing.
Time and effort savings have been significant.
NuJudge
Member
Since I got a Giraud, I can trim after every firing, it only takes about 3 seconds per case. Push in and twist, and done.
Before the Giraud, I was using a hand-drill-powered Forster, and trimming was necessary after the first firing, and after about the third firing.
Before the Giraud, I was using a hand-drill-powered Forster, and trimming was necessary after the first firing, and after about the third firing.
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Lloyd Smale
Member
like reloader fred i do it everytime and use a dillon trimmer
Shoney
Member
I have accidentally trimmed brass 0.010 and 0.020 under the trim length (minimum case length). They loaded and functioned and fired without a problem, unless sooty necks is a problem.
After 2-3 firings, they were over trim length again.
After 2-3 firings, they were over trim length again.
I only have one rifle chambered for .223 Rem, an old Ruger 77V 2tone. I use it for punching paper and critter control on our farm so accuracy is my main priority. I trim my brass after each firing with a Lee hand held trimmer and a DeWalt cordless drill.Probably unnecessiary but it works for me. I shoot about 1000-3000 rounds per year with my Ruger.
FROGO207
Member
I trim every time I reload it. I use a Lee trimmer and chuck the cutter in a drill press, use the table as the stop, and hold the shell with my fingers. Pull down on the handle = perfect size every time. Wear a leather glove for safety! I also anneal my brass every 3 reloads by dipping it into melted lead at 650 degrees or so for approx 1 second then quench in water.
jpwilly
Member
I use a Lee Trimmer / cutter chucked in my cordless drill and hold the shellholder in my other hand. Just trimmed 200 pieces of 308 win last night after resizing. Got to be careful but works well or only $10 in parts. Those were all trimmed down to 2.005"
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