Trimming brass

B

brandonwiles

Inactive
Hello,
I'm new to the site and new to reloading, had a quick question. So, I bought new federal .223 brass. I'm on my 2nd reload on them and I've noticed that my brass hasn't grown in length at all yet. It was concerning to me because I've read other places that guys have to trim their brass after every fire, and yet I haven't had to touch mine yet. Am I doing something wrong or is this normal?
-Brandon
 
You're fine. Trimming brass down to length is an "as needed" step... so if you don't need it (yet) then just count yourself lucky and keep shooting.

Ps. It's a good idea to check length between each firing. Keep doing that, but don't address a problem that doesn't exist.
 
I agree with Jackstraw. It may be all of your brass was already at the minimum length to begin with. Did you happen to measure the virgin brass? Once you have to start trimming, you'll reflect on this as an enjoyable, but short-lived,experience. Have fun reloading!!
 
Yep, trimming is an 'as required' thing only. As long as your cases are under the max case length given in your manual(1.760"), you don't need to do anything.
Brand new brass will need checking for length(rarely needs trimming), FL sizing and chamfering and deburring.
 
You may want to look into RCBS's "X" dies - when set up properly they are supposed to limit brass growth and reduce the trimming frequency.
 
Brass 'Bloats', the sides bulge out when fired making the length shorter, not longer.
This is particularly the case with 'Semi-Auto' chambers since they are 'Loose' to facilitate the auto-loading process.

Two things to remeber here,
1. Neck length isn't important as far as accuracy goes.
The primary function of the neck is simply to hold the bullet more or less centered with the barrel.
Secondary function is a gas seal, but the shoulder does most of that work.

2. As you push the case sides back in where they belong, and he shoulder/Datum Line back where it belongs to headspace properly,
The brass has nowhere to go but 'Up' into the top of the die.

The higher pressures you run, and the softer brass you use will determine how much the brass 'Grows' (how much brass from the side walls migrates forward) with repeated sizing/loading/firing.

With .223/5.56 'Range' brass, I trim to MINIMUM while I'm swaging primer pockets etc on he second loading and never touch it again.
Since I'm not loading super hot for a bolt gun the brass never needs to be trimmed again.

The one thing that precise trimming is needed for is CONSISTANT crimps when you use the seater/crimp dies.
Collet style 'Factory Crimp' dies don't care what length the brass is within reason,
But a seater/roll crimp die MUST have the same length cases to work properly.
(Hense the popularity of the 'Factory Crimp' collet dies, nobody likes trimming!)
 
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