Trimming 44Mag Brass

[uf-engineer]

How critical is it to trim the brass. I picked up some brass at the range and after sizing it, the brasa was a bit over the trim length. I would cut them down but my trimmer is broken. Im using a super redhawk. Also, how do you trim brass when using a progressive press. Do you measure the brass before and after sizing and trim all the brass the difference? Then run the trimmed brass thru thw press?

 

[kelbro]

Trim them all to the shortest (above SAAMI minimum) length. Otherwise your crimps will not work properly.

 

[Sam1911]

Some folks do, lots of folk's don't.

Really depends what you're trying to do. If you're going for the best accuracy you can squeeze out of the gun for really long-range shots, then you need the most consistent ammo. Trimming will help you get a very consistent crimp.

If you're loading for shots inside 50 yds, maybe inside 100 yds, it's probably not going to make much difference. But you could do your own tests easily enough to see for yourself if it makes a difference. You'd want to chrono the loads to see if there is more velocity difference, of course, but all that really matters is how they group.

Of course, depending on your gun's inherant accuracy, there may be other factors which would cause greater accuracy loss than trimmed-vs.-untrimmed brass. If I had a tuned, line-bored, super accurate revolver, capable of rifle accuracy, I'd probably take the time to be super precise with my loading to take advantage of the accuracy potential I'd paid for.

Loading on my progressive, the cases come out of the tumbler, into the press, and come out as loaded ammo. For my gun and my purposes, trimming handgun brass is a waste of time.

For a long range shooter, and probably bullseye competetors, it might prove to be useful.

-Sam

 

[Walkalong]

I trim all my revolver brass to get a more uniform crimp. Many people do not trim pistol calibers at all. I don't trim auto calibers, but I do for revolver calibers.

 

[loadedround]

I have been shooting straight wall revolver cases for over 40 years and have never trimmed a case yet. Usually get neck splits from crimping before strethimg and are discarded.

 

[buck460XVR]

You trim brass after sizing. I trim new .44 brass used for high power hunting loads for consistent crimp. For plinking, I generally sort by headstamp and don't bother.

 

[Steve Marshall]

Look at the width of the crimping groove on the bullets you're using. That's pretty much how much you can vary. For just general shooting, as long as you crimp in the groove you'll be fine. For the utmost in accuracy, your brass should be within a few thou of each other. The only other caution is that in some top loads with certain powders you 'd need a heavy roll crimp.( i.e.straight wall cartridges using powders like 296, AA-9 2400 etc.) for consistent ignition.

 

[uf-engineer]

So on a progressive press, do you resize all your brass first, trim all the sized brass, then run the sized brass through all the stations on the press including the sizing die again? Or, do you estimate the amount of trimming required. Then trim all the brass. Then run them through the press.
Does anybody use a progressive press to reload rifle (30-06) rounds where brass stretching is more of an issue? Thanks for the input.

 

[Slamfire]

So on a progressive press, do you resize all your brass first, trim all the sized brass, then run the sized brass through all the stations on the press including the sizing die again? Or, do you estimate the amount of trimming required.Then trim all the brass. Then run them through the press.

I only trimmed 44 Magnum brass once. For rifle testing. Made no difference on target.

I have a Dillon 550B. I would suggest sizing, then trimming. Then unscrew the sizing die on the press and load as normal.

Does anybody use a progressive press to reload rifle (30-06) rounds where brass stretching is more of an issue? Thanks for the input.

I have one friend who has a Dillion 650. He has a Dillon .223 case trimmer on the first station. That trimmer cuts the case to length as the case is sized.

I size rifle brass on a single stage press, trim using a Gracey trimmer. I prime all rifle cases by hand. Then I will dump the powder and seat the bullet on my Dillion 550B.

Go Gators!