what to do w/ shrinking brass?

[dakotasin]

getting ready to load another batch of 41 rem mags tonight and i noticed i have 3 distinct lengths of cases.

1 of the sets is short - below the trim-to length of the case short. this brass has seen a few firings...

since the brass seems to be shrinking, and some of it is below the trim-to length, what to do with it? is it just scrap now? sure is going to make seating and crimping a nuisance...

 

[Lee Roder]

SAAMI min is (i believe) 0.02" less than stated max. Trim-to lengths are typically 0.01" less than max so your brass may still have useful life left. They should NOT keep "shrinking" though ... unless you're using a lee case length gage/trimmer in a heavy handed sort of way ... don't ask me how i know

 

[ReloaderFred]

I would (do) just keep loading it until it splits. You may have to adjust your crimping die, but the brass is still very usable.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[dakotasin]

lee - no, my bench is all green. either rcbs or redding w/ a sprinkling of lyman.

fred - thank you, that helps. i finished prepping the cases and will load them up. i think the inconsistent lengths might explain some of my accuracy problems. i was hoping to use this gun for deer season, but need to experiment w/ accuracy regarding the different length of cases first.

 

[ReloaderFred]

dakotasin,

I carried a 6" S&W Model 57 as my duty weapon for about 20 years. I've got lots and lots of rounds through it and had to furnish my own practice ammunition, so I've loaded it a lot. I don't shoot it near as much now that I'm retired, but it's a fine firearm and will certainly take a deer or black bear.

Just sort your cases and work with one batch at a time, or trim them all to the same length. It won't really matter if they're a couple thousandths short of SAAMI minimum, as long as they're consistant.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Walkalong]

It won't really matter if they're a couple thousandths short of SAAMI minimum, as long as they're consistant.

Yep. Pick a trim to length that will get 99% of them even and go with it. Like Fred said, just re-adjust your crimp die and your good to go.