Trimming and primer pockets

[StuntHeavy]

How often do you guys trim? I'm fairly new to reloading, and still running through my once-fired brass, and have yet to find any .40 s&w brass that needs to be trimmed. On average, how many firings does it take before pistol brass is over the acceptable length?

Also, I notice some people just deprime, resize, and throw them in the tumble, and reload. I clean all my primer pockets before tumbling.... Am I wasting my time, or are my reloads benefiting from the extra time&effort?

 

[rcmodel]

No need to ever trim straight-wall auto pistol cases.
They will crack or get lost before they ever need trimming.

Cleaning primer pockets is something I have always done / always do.
Maybe not necessary, but it gives me a good excuse to look at every case one more time before I reload it.

rc

 

[loadedround]

I will second RC's comment, after 45 years of reloading I have never yet trimmed a straight wall pistol case.

 

[The Bushmaster]

I, also, clean my primer pockets whether it's necessary or not for the same reason as rcmodel. I do trim all of my revolver cases that will receive a crimp for consistancy. I do trim .45 ACP Cases to keep them in a +/- .001 of .890" only because my Colt 1911 with wilson S/S barrel and bushing seems to prefer them at that length. Unknown to me why...

 

[ReloaderFred]

I clean all primer pockets, but don't trim any pistol brass.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Walkalong]

I don't clean pistol primer pockets, but I do rifle. I uniform target rifle brass primer pockets.

I don't trim any auto pistol brass, but I do trim revolver brass to help get a more uniform crimp. You can get by without trimming, but it's easier to get more uniform crimps if you trim, especially roll crimps. I have loaded it both ways, and I can't really tell a difference on target 50 yards and closer.

If I shot as much .38 as Fred, I doubt I would trim them.

 

[Rollis R. Karvellis]

The only time I would clean a pistol case is if the primers are hard to set. This is not very often. You will throw away or loss 95% of your case's before they need trimed.

 

[LightningMan]

I've been reloading pistol cartridges for over 20 years and have yet to clean a primer pocket. In all that time I have only had 3 failure's to fire, but I believe that to be caused by bad primers. After switching brands about 10 years ago, I have yet to have a misfire. LM

 

[nefarmboy]

So, what you're all sayin' is that I wasted like $30 on the Lee case length gauges and shell holders for 40 s&w and 45 acp?????

 

[Forklift352]

I would look at it as having tools that in the event of a need you wont find it
back ordered.HAHahHAAHhAhHAAHHAHAHaAH
But cleaning out the pockets would be good to check the brass.......but Iv never
done it.......but.....I think I will.

 

[bobotech]

I never ever trim pistol brass or clean primer pockets out of any of my brass. Never found it necessary. I still fail to see the advantage of cleaning primer pockets unless you are bench rest shooting.

 

[Rollis R. Karvellis]

It don't hurt to have the tools, if you get into some kind of extreme shooting where super close tolerance's are requierd they my be usful. With that said, most likely the case's will shrink slightly, will crack, and, get lost before needing needing to be trimed.
Some times the pocket can biuld up with crud and a quike swipe with the tool can help.

 

[The Bushmaster]

LightningMan...Three primer failures in 20 years? And you blame it on the primers? Well...That is possible (?)

I did an experiment several years ago and didn't clean the primer pockets on a set of 50 .45 ACP cases. It took a year of reloading and firing these cases, but I did start to note that some primers did not seat as far into the pockets and some started to show primers having crush damaged on the edges of the primers when seated due to uneven carbon deposits. Didn't have any primer failures, but I could see where it could develope into a primer problem. I clean all primer pockets on all my reloaded cases and I haven't had not even one primer failure in 23 years. I use predominately CCI and do have some Winchester and a few Remington primers on hand...

 

[lgbloader]

I don't trim any auto pistol brass, but I do trim revolver brass to help get a more uniform crimp. You can get by without trimming, but it's easier to get more uniform crimps if you trim, especially roll crimps..

Pretty much how I feel.

I clean all primer pockets on all my reloaded cases

Again, good advise. For rifle, YUP!!! all the time. For revolvers, especially the Magnum calibers that I hand load, I am very thorough on the case prep. Semi pistols... I must admit I do slack a bit on 9mm, 40 S&W, and 45acp.

LGB

 

[rokchucker]

I am in the camp of people who use their pocket cleaning time as a good brass inspection. I just feel better knowing I have given it a good once over, and that there will be no possible obstruction when seating the primer.

 

[StuntHeavy]

Thanks for all the info gentlemen. I have been cleaning every pocket before the last tumbling, then taking a handful out of each batch, and checking them with a vernier caliper for length. After reloading I run them through a case gauge as well.

I think I'll continue to do this just to be on the safe side...seems like most of you do, so I probably should as well.

 

[The Bushmaster]

If nothing else...It helps to insure quality ammunition. AND...You'll feel better and with pride in manufacturing...