Trimming for .223

[sladenotdead]

I guess I should have titled this 'not trimming' because my question is this: I have a bunch (2500) once fired brass. After measuring it all, I have quite a few that are below 1.75, which is the suggested trim length. Many are 1.74, and some are in the 1.73 range, so I'm wondering if this is something I should worry about. I only had about a dozen that I actually have to trim, but I'm wondering if it's okay to load the ones that are below 1.75. I'm brand new to reloading, so this question is probably stupid to all you experts, but thanks in advance!

 

[Walkalong]

Has it been sized yet? It needs to be sized first. Anything that is sized properly and measures from 1.750 to 1.760 is safe to load. Shorter is really OK as well. For plinking I would not hesitate to use a case that was 1.740 and let it stretch a few firings.

 

[sladenotdead]

Yes, it has been sized, which is why I'm confused. I'm also confused because if it's been fired, that means it was at the right specs when it was loaded the first time, so it shrank? That doesn't make any sense to me. But, yes, it is for plinking. If the 1.740 is safe, what if some of it is like 1.737? Will that be safe?

 

[Walkalong]

that means it was at the right specs when it was loaded the first time,

Says who? Seriously.

what if some of it is like 1.737? Will that be safe?

Safe? Yes.

 

[sladenotdead]

Quote:
that means it was at the right specs when it was loaded the first time,

Says who? Seriously.

Sorry, I know it was factory ammo when it was shot the first time, so I'm just assuming it was at the right specs, but you're right, it could've been bad from the factory to start with

 

[Walkalong]

Not necessarily bad, just shorter than the reloaders recommended trim length.