Trimming Pistol Cases

[Tamitch]

I'm starting to reload and I have a question about whether or not the need of trimming pistols cases. I'll be reloading 45 Auto Rim and 44 Mag.
Terry Mitchell
Danville, IL.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

Reloading revolver brass is generally a good idea to get a uniform roll crimp.

 

[flipajig]

I don't load for the 45 but I do for the 44,357,38 spc and 9mm and if I feel I need to trim revolver brass for a uniform crimp I will trim it some I rotate all my brass so that I'm not shooting the same brass all the time.
Flip

 

[joneb]

I find that pistol brass is close enough, and does not require trimming.
I find that case lengths of revolver brass can vary .010" with case mouths out of square, I trim all of my revolver brass to a uniform length.

 

[FROGO207]

Unless I am going for full house max loads for say the 44 MAG I do not bother. The full house loads require a really tight crimp and the will not be consistent unless trimmed. For 38 SPL and such I have never trimmed my brass as they only require a slight crimp. Never trimmed my auto loading brass either.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I don't trim handgun rounds. But I do sort by length in .010" increments so they crimp properly.

 

[gamestalker]

I've been trimming all of my brass since I began reloading years ago. I know that generally speaking, it is not considered particularly common for most reloaders to trim pistol brass, but I learned from a book and followed the process to the " T ". I don't notice any particular advantage with rimless cartridges such as 9mm, .40 and such. But with revolver, or rimmed brass, I do appreciate the consistent and solid roll crimps it facilitates.

As for bottle neck brass, I consider it an absolute necessity. I keep those trimmed to exactly the same lengths and some where in between trim too, and maximum.

GS

 

[noylj]

If you are trying to get the last bit of accuracy out of the load, it is good to trim cases that headspace on a rim and require a roll crimp to be sized and trimmed to the same length so the crimp is consistent.
For any straight wall case, you tell us if you EVER find a case that is longer than max length. They start out about 0.005" less and seem to SHRINK with further shooting.

 

[45lcshooter]

straight walled pistol cases tend not to grow very much, so trimming is not required. Just expanding the neck and crimping it. There is no pressure trying to push a shoulder out towards the target. Its straight. after several fireings, yes you may want to trim, because the case will have grown a little.

 

[moxie]

With the .45AR you don't need to crimp at all unless making heavy loads with cannelured bullets. Thus no trimming needed.

 

[627PCFan]

Ive started trimming my 357 brass as I shoot pretty stout loads. I run only Starline brass and am somewhere north of 10 loadings. Dont have numbers but Ive trimmed quite a bit once accuracy started to go south. This was my first group after trimming. IPSC target at 45 feet

* appologize for the flyer language*

 

[wolf695]

It all depends on how the fired brass looks, fried you trim, not burnt you dont ! but its about what makes you feel safe to shoot, and what your shooting it out of. reloading is a skill,you learn as you go!