woody
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,116
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Post by woody on Dec 24, 2022 20:48:27 GMT -5
What does everyone use for case trimming and case prep? I’ve been loading quite a bit of rifle lately and using my manual crank RCBS case trimmer is getting old. Also chamfering/deburring case mouths by hand plus primer pocket cleaning. That’s not too bad but I would like to speed up the whole process.
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Post by lar4570 on Dec 24, 2022 21:07:33 GMT -5
I use the Lyman case trimmer with the optional power screwdriver shaft, with a cordless drill attached. Deburring is still by hand. I think RCBS made a powered case prep station.
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Post by AxeHandle on Dec 25, 2022 8:46:54 GMT -5
I've owned a Forster for 40 years. Added a Redding to my case trimming set when one popped up. For volume trimming I have and use the Lyman power case trimmer.
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Post by domino300 on Dec 25, 2022 9:34:26 GMT -5
Forster with power hookup.
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Post by harold89 on Dec 25, 2022 10:31:03 GMT -5
I can’t stop myself from cleaning primer pockets with primer pocket uniformers lol. I don’t shoot enough rifle to “power up” so it’s all hand deburring. I’ve often wondered how trimming revolver cases to the same length would impact crimp consistency but haven’t gone there yet, just a little light deburring of the inside case mouths. I do like to tumble until my cases are very shiny.
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Post by potatojudge on Dec 25, 2022 10:43:58 GMT -5
I can’t stop myself from cleaning primer pockets with primer pocket uniformers lol. I don’t shoot enough rifle to “power up” so it’s all hand deburring. I’ve often wondered how trimming revolver cases to the same length would impact crimp consistency but haven’t gone there yet, just a little light deburring of the inside case mouths. I do like to tumble until my cases are very shiny. Loading 357 with mixed cases, I found myself at, above, and below the crimp groove trying to seat bullets to the same OAL. Sort by brand or length, or trim to length if you want a consistent crimp where it belongs in the crimp groove.
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Post by potatojudge on Dec 25, 2022 10:53:38 GMT -5
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Post by bradshaw on Dec 25, 2022 11:09:57 GMT -5
“.... I’ve often wondered how trimming revolver cases to the same length would impact crimp consistency but haven’t gone there yet, just a little light deburring of the inside case mouths.” ----harold89
*****
Harold.... handgun world championships were won with untrimmed revolver brass. However, you are unlikely to find a champion mixing his or her brass. Brass tends to be loaded by lot.
Chamfer This shooter cuts the most minimal chamfer on the case mouth; often, no chamfer at all. A minimal chamfer works for crimping cast. A square case mouth makes a strong hold for any degree of crimp pressure on jacketed.
Neck tension The grip which performs critical HOLD-BACK during powder ignition is performed by tension of case on bearing surface of bullet.
Bell case mouth Bell only as the individual bullet and case mouth mandate. Redding’s stepped expander is my favorite for square seating with minimal mouth expansion. Lead bullets generally require more bell than jacketed. Excess belling causes mouth fatigue.
Heavy factory crimp Factory ammo heavily crimped into serrated cannelure leaves inside case mouth with fine duck teeth. My practice is to chamfer the edge, but not necessarily wipe all traces of serration. Square edge on case mouth, without excess belling, aids long case life without trimming.
Case length Among .357 Maximum brass, I load case lengths of 1.590”, 1.595”, 1.605”, 1.610”,... etc. Doesn’t matter, because each lot or group is loaded together, with seating and crimp dies adjusted accordingly. Having trimmed plenty of revolver brass during experiments, and knowing how some brass tends to grow, I keep an eye on it. For instance, I’m about to trim a batch of .357 Maximum brass which has grown to 1.620”. trimming does necessitate enough chamfer to remove the wire edge. David Bradshaw
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Post by seminolewind on Dec 25, 2022 11:10:58 GMT -5
I recently sized and measured 100 virgin Starline .357 Maximum cases in preparation to loading hunting rounds. The length varied from 1.592" to 1.610", so I trimmed the long ones on a Forster case trimmer to 1.595". It took maybe 45 minutes. I much prefer to have a case length variance of .003" than .018", and I believe I can see the difference in group size, especially at longer range with a scoped revolver from the bench. Can I tell a difference under hunting conditions, no.
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Post by bradshaw on Dec 25, 2022 11:23:39 GMT -5
I recently sized and measured 100 virgin Starline .357 Maximum cases in preparation to loading hunting rounds. The length varied from 1.592" to 1.610", so I trimmed the long ones on a Forster case trimmer to 1.595". It took maybe 45 minutes. I much prefer to have a case length variance of .003" than .018", and I believe I can see the difference in group size, especially at longer range with a scoped revolver from the bench. Can I tell a difference under hunting conditions, no. ***** Without commenting on a percieved accuracy difference, .018-inch difference in case length for one lot of new brass calls for trimming down to you shortest case, as you have done. Even for a roll crimp above the front band on a DEEP SEATED bullet, .018” is extreme. David Bradshaw
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Post by 2 Dogs on Dec 25, 2022 11:49:32 GMT -5
Here are my thoughts….
Basically, since every other word out of my mouth is how to be more accurate, I have painted myself into a corner with case trimming and to a certain extent, the use of gas checks. I often tell guys that I’m not a better shooter than they are, my ammunition is better.
As an example I recently finally finished shooting a large amount of 357 Magnum. I made sure I sorted all the brass and figured that there was a bit over 3000 cases. Of course the cases lengths were all over the place. I normally load my straight wall cases on a Dillon, but in this case I first tumbled and used my Rockchucker to full length size all the brass. This is important because the difference in length between a fired case and a full length sized case is considerable. Trim to length was set at 1.285” if memory serves. A bit of inside and outside chamfer finished the job. Mixed lot and too short cases were separated from the Winchester, Federal, and Remington brass.
Tedious to be sure but what I have learned as I have gotten older is to find a way to enjoy every step of the process. The finished ammunition came out beautifully. I have a picture if anyone of my good friends here wants to text me and please post the pic.
There has been some discussion before on case trimming and some of my teachers skip this step however you can put me on the other side of this.
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jeffh
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,730
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Post by jeffh on Dec 25, 2022 12:03:07 GMT -5
I grew up with the Wilson trimmer. Once on my own and assembling my own setup, I tried RCBS, Lyman, Hornady (or Pacific?) and Forster. I never cared as much for any of them as much as I did the Wilson and decided to see if I could land a used one, knowing the case holders would be the issue in completing a set to do all I needed. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that they still made them (early nineties) and that they didn't cost any more than any of the others. The trimmer was $45 then and I ordered almost all the case holders I needed at the same time. I've only had to pick a couple others up since. I've been very happy with the way this trimmer works.
EDIT: Fermin posted while I was rescuing a bird, so I was unable to read his before posting mine, but I agree with everything in his post. TEDIOUS is the word. When I get new pistol brass, I measure and trim to the shortest one. It's a pain in the neck when you buy 500 at a time, but it makes me feel better about my loads, whether it makes a real difference or not. The most obvious difference is when you get a round which won't chamber because the brass was long and the roll-crimp bulges the top of the case. I have about twenty 38 Special cartridges waiting to be pulled down because I used cases from a bag that I THOUGHT I'd uniformed. Those cartridges rub it in my nose every time I open my reloading cabinet, but It's a pain in the neck to break them down too.
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Post by 2 Dogs on Dec 25, 2022 12:16:41 GMT -5
I grew up with the Wilson trimmer. Once on my own and assembling my own setup, I tried RCBS, Lyman, Hornady (or Pacific?) and Forster. I never cared as much for any of them as much as I did the Wilson and decided to see if I could land a used one, knowing the case holders would be the issue in completing a set to do all I needed. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that they still made them (early nineties) and that they didn't cost any more than any of the others. The trimmer was $45 then and I ordered almost all the case holders I needed at the same time. I've only had to pick a couple others up since. I've been very happy with the way this trimmer works.
EDIT: Fermin posted while I was rescuing a bird, so I was unable to read his before posting mine, but I agree with everything in his post. TEDIOUS is the word. When I get new pistol brass, I measure and trim to the shortest one. It's a pain in the neck when you buy 500 at a time, but it makes me feel better about my loads, whether it makes a real difference or not. The most obvious difference is when you get a round which won't chamber because the brass was long and the roll-crimp bulges the top of the case. I have about twenty 38 Special cartridges waiting to be pulled down because I used cases from a bag that I THOUGHT I'd uniformed. Those cartridges rub it in my nose every time I open my reloading cabinet, but It's a pain in the neck to break them down too.
It’s funny how tools can add up. I have ended up with 4 Forester case trimmers. One is permanently set up for 223/223AI, one is set up for Hollow pointing (I’m still experimenting with that process), and one are currently set up for .357 and .44 Magnums until I get through all this brass…
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Post by 2 Dogs on Dec 25, 2022 12:35:33 GMT -5
JeffH I feel your pain buddy. I think it’s also important to evolve for the better and learn from your mistakes. I always tell guys to test every part of their reloading process before they go out and load a 5 gallon bucket of ammunition that won’t fit or won’t shoot in your sixgun. As an example, twice now I loaded some test rounds using PC bullets that I had not run through the sizer. I HATE pulling bullets more than anything and fortunately I only loaded 10 rounds each time. The sized ones look the same as the unsized ones !!
More, while testing the above mentioned .357 Magnum ammunition I recently discovered I can no longer see adequate light between my front sight and the rear notch on my super accurate Colt Trooper! I’m going to have to pull that pin in blade, along with the ones on my 4” Smiths and thin them! Sucks to be blind….
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Post by boolitdesigner on Dec 25, 2022 13:28:55 GMT -5
Here are my thoughts…. I often tell guys that I’m not a better shooter than they are, my ammunition is better. While not a complete statement, it does make a difference..... it really makes a difference how you reload and with what as far as the accuracy and performance you get.
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