@abbeyglencircle Thanks for taking the time to watch the video and asking us for advise. It's viwers and fellow gun nuts like you that makes Ammosmith what it is.
I have loaded many thousands of straight walled pistol prass and have never trimmed a single case. I well understand the need to trim bottleneck cases, but trimming straight walled cases is a waste of time.
It absolutely critical in the 40 S&W and other auto loading pistols. They headspace off the mouth and can cause case ruptures in a unsupported chamber.
So does the 9mm, the 10mm and the .45 headspace on the mouth, but I have never trimmed them. I don't suffer from FTF with any of them and accuracy is good. I know lots of reloaders and they don't either, but, to each his own.
They all need to be trimmed. Not every time like the 40 S&W but if the case grows too long then pressure will increase and shorten case life. I weight sort my target ammunition as far as brass, bullets, and powder. I get outstanding results. Watch my video on shooting premium cast bullets.
Nope, they all don't need to be trimmed. I've been reloading for about 40 years now, hunting and match shooting (Gold Cup, S&W Mdl. 52 & S&W Mdl. 41). Don't think it's "critical" to trim straight side pistol brass. I'm just saying you're really in the minority. It's your time in life, trim if you want, but you might want to quit misleading new shooters when the vast majority of reloaders don't do it. I think you will get the same "outstanding" results if you don't trim, based on experience.
You're videos are very well done and informative. I'm new to reloading but everything I have read in the manuals and everyone I have met says to not bother with trimming straight cases. Some say its ok to check the cases if you aren't sure, but none recommend trimming all cases.
BTW, other than this trimming deal, your videos are very, very good and I'm sure they have helped many new reloaders. Thanks for making and sharing them.
In 40 S&W I would trim every time. There are chambers that are unsupported out there and can cause a case rupture...especially in Glocks. Trim to the exact length.
In an automatic pistol you have to because the case headspaces off the mouth. Revolver cases not so much but you do need to trim them if the exceed maximum case length. Uniforming case length enhances accuracy.
An automatic pistol does headspace on the case mouth, that's why you should use a taper crimp on them. On a bottleneck rifle case, there is a pressure buildup against the necked down part, causing it to "stretch", therefore needing trim after firing. Straight walled pistol cases don't have anything for the pressure to stretch, so they don't need trimming, not the .45, 10mm, 9mm or even the .40mm. Just don't need it because they don't stretch. Shoot one and measure it, it stays the same.
Now then, if you still want to trim a straight walled pistol case, knock yourself out, it sure won't hurt anything because I doubt that you will remove any brass since it didn't stretch... at least you won't if you have your trimmer set correctly. It just a waste of time, but won't hurt anything.
Yes, rifle case trimming is a must some trim every other loads and some who cares about quality to the next level do check and trim every loads. I found my groups are alittle bit tighter when I trim every time after resizing to the original CL of my fav load. I hate trimming especially with my lapua brass but better safe than sorry and keeping your loads as uniform as possible will eventually pays off with down range high precision.
You have to trim them because they stretch under firing. If they get too long the neck gets forced into the throat and a huge spike in pressure will result. You don't have to trim every time (I do) but refer to your manual and compare your OAL to the book.
Sure no problem. What usually will happen is you'll be shooting a load that works fine. Then all of a sudden you get signs of excessive pressure and loss of accuracy.
No the mouth of the case on a excessively long case will jam into the throat of the barrel. This pinches the case into the bullet and cause a dramatic increase in pressure. It can also change the headspace. You can go from 28,000psi to 40,000 if you're not careful and damage or destroy the weapon. Injury is likely to the operator as well.
Well ammosmith, I did it by hand, on my hand drill, and on my drill press. If I let it go til it stopped cutting it trimmed my cases way too short..so I shimmed the gauge with a tiny little split washer and that seemed to have stopped the problems.
Could I mount this equipment on my drill press and do the exact same thing, only vice versa? Say, mount the case trimmer into the drill press instead of the shell holder?
Thanks! I put my progressive press away forever. I like controlling all aspects of the process myself. Safety, safety, safety. I've seem too many kabooms in ammo made on a progressive setup.
This is the fastest way to trim cases & the equipment needed cost so little, I don't know why some people still use those expensive case trimmers that RCBS & other reloadin manufactures make.
I know. There are those who when they begin a hobby buy the "best" that money can buy. I have the expensive trimmers and found that they are cumbersome and not always consistant. Thanks for your comment!
That was a very quick response. I found it (Lee Precision calls it a "lock stud" just to inform, thank much.
abbeyglencircle 8 months ago
@abbeyglencircle Thanks for taking the time to watch the video and asking us for advise. It's viwers and fellow gun nuts like you that makes Ammosmith what it is.
ammosmith 8 months ago
Hi, where can I get a 1/4inch driver bit for the shell holder that you have? Thank.
abbeyglencircle 8 months ago
@abbeyglencircle Lee Precision.
ammosmith 8 months ago
If your case length is less than the maximum case length, is trimming still necessary?
thebudgetarmory1 1 year ago
@thebudgetarmory1 No but what I do it make all the other cases the same length as the shortest one in the lot.
ammosmith 1 year ago
waste of time
OregonHitman 1 year ago
I have loaded many thousands of straight walled pistol prass and have never trimmed a single case. I well understand the need to trim bottleneck cases, but trimming straight walled cases is a waste of time.
Chuckfw 2 years ago
It absolutely critical in the 40 S&W and other auto loading pistols. They headspace off the mouth and can cause case ruptures in a unsupported chamber.
ammosmith 2 years ago
So does the 9mm, the 10mm and the .45 headspace on the mouth, but I have never trimmed them. I don't suffer from FTF with any of them and accuracy is good. I know lots of reloaders and they don't either, but, to each his own.
Chuckfw 2 years ago
They all need to be trimmed. Not every time like the 40 S&W but if the case grows too long then pressure will increase and shorten case life. I weight sort my target ammunition as far as brass, bullets, and powder. I get outstanding results. Watch my video on shooting premium cast bullets.
ammosmith 2 years ago
Nope, they all don't need to be trimmed. I've been reloading for about 40 years now, hunting and match shooting (Gold Cup, S&W Mdl. 52 & S&W Mdl. 41). Don't think it's "critical" to trim straight side pistol brass. I'm just saying you're really in the minority. It's your time in life, trim if you want, but you might want to quit misleading new shooters when the vast majority of reloaders don't do it. I think you will get the same "outstanding" results if you don't trim, based on experience.
Chuckfw 2 years ago
Each to their own.
ammosmith 2 years ago
You're videos are very well done and informative. I'm new to reloading but everything I have read in the manuals and everyone I have met says to not bother with trimming straight cases. Some say its ok to check the cases if you aren't sure, but none recommend trimming all cases.
romansten9 1 year ago
44 magnums stretch a lot with full power loads
ammosmith 1 year ago
Never noticed that. Fired thousands of them and never trimmed.
Chuckfw 1 year ago
BTW, other than this trimming deal, your videos are very, very good and I'm sure they have helped many new reloaders. Thanks for making and sharing them.
Chuckfw 1 year ago
@ammosmith about how many times can u reload the .40 s&w before you trim the case?
elitenoob1147 2 years ago
In 40 S&W I would trim every time. There are chambers that are unsupported out there and can cause a case rupture...especially in Glocks. Trim to the exact length.
ammosmith 2 years ago
In an automatic pistol you have to because the case headspaces off the mouth. Revolver cases not so much but you do need to trim them if the exceed maximum case length. Uniforming case length enhances accuracy.
ammosmith 1 year ago
An automatic pistol does headspace on the case mouth, that's why you should use a taper crimp on them. On a bottleneck rifle case, there is a pressure buildup against the necked down part, causing it to "stretch", therefore needing trim after firing. Straight walled pistol cases don't have anything for the pressure to stretch, so they don't need trimming, not the .45, 10mm, 9mm or even the .40mm. Just don't need it because they don't stretch. Shoot one and measure it, it stays the same.
Chuckfw 1 year ago
Now then, if you still want to trim a straight walled pistol case, knock yourself out, it sure won't hurt anything because I doubt that you will remove any brass since it didn't stretch... at least you won't if you have your trimmer set correctly. It just a waste of time, but won't hurt anything.
Chuckfw 1 year ago
Yes, rifle case trimming is a must some trim every other loads and some who cares about quality to the next level do check and trim every loads. I found my groups are alittle bit tighter when I trim every time after resizing to the original CL of my fav load. I hate trimming especially with my lapua brass but better safe than sorry and keeping your loads as uniform as possible will eventually pays off with down range high precision.
xycoordinatex 2 years ago
why would u trim the cases and do i need to trim rifle cases
trooperx666 2 years ago
You have to trim them because they stretch under firing. If they get too long the neck gets forced into the throat and a huge spike in pressure will result. You don't have to trim every time (I do) but refer to your manual and compare your OAL to the book.
ammosmith 2 years ago
oh ok i see thanks
trooperx666 2 years ago
Sure no problem. What usually will happen is you'll be shooting a load that works fine. Then all of a sudden you get signs of excessive pressure and loss of accuracy.
ammosmith 2 years ago
because it wasnt seated tight enough right?
trooperx666 2 years ago
No the mouth of the case on a excessively long case will jam into the throat of the barrel. This pinches the case into the bullet and cause a dramatic increase in pressure. It can also change the headspace. You can go from 28,000psi to 40,000 if you're not careful and damage or destroy the weapon. Injury is likely to the operator as well.
ammosmith 2 years ago
im new to this reloading stuff :) ammo prices are going up so i thought id try it . ill have to buy a book on it or something
thanks for this info tho
trooperx666 2 years ago
Come to our website and try our forum. Lots of different levels of experience there...no egos either.
ammosmith 2 years ago
lol can do
trooperx666 2 years ago
Well ammosmith, I did it by hand, on my hand drill, and on my drill press. If I let it go til it stopped cutting it trimmed my cases way too short..so I shimmed the gauge with a tiny little split washer and that seemed to have stopped the problems.
Dp908 2 years ago
Could I mount this equipment on my drill press and do the exact same thing, only vice versa? Say, mount the case trimmer into the drill press instead of the shell holder?
Dp908 3 years ago
Sure, but they need to be lined up just right.
ammosmith 3 years ago
how well are the lee trimmers about staying sharp?
thanks for taking the time. your videos are a great reference as i'm just getting into reloading.
BitterHouse 3 years ago
They last me about 8 months or so...after that I need a new one.
Iraqveteran8888 2 years ago
Thanks! I put my progressive press away forever. I like controlling all aspects of the process myself. Safety, safety, safety. I've seem too many kabooms in ammo made on a progressive setup.
ammosmith 3 years ago
This is the fastest way to trim cases & the equipment needed cost so little, I don't know why some people still use those expensive case trimmers that RCBS & other reloadin manufactures make.
tharr2008 3 years ago
I know. There are those who when they begin a hobby buy the "best" that money can buy. I have the expensive trimmers and found that they are cumbersome and not always consistant. Thanks for your comment!
ammosmith 3 years ago
Sure! If you have any questions we'll answer them as best we can.
ammosmith 3 years ago
That is what I was wanting to see! Thanks for making the video
c9ari 3 years ago