Case trim length
- Thread starter Underthegun
- Start date
. Thanx. I figured there was no problem. But I am new to CGN and just thought I would ask. I have been loading for 17 years and never accidentally trimmed that short.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Actually most manuals have the .30/06 trim length at 4.494" but small deviations are no problem, although case to case uniformity is desirable. If I've picked up range brass, I'll sometimes trim away the factory crimp, which in the case of Winchester brass is particularly ugly. Its unlikely that once trimmed that short they will ever be trimmed again although one must always check. Here again, case to case uniformity is more important than a precise length.
Well actually ALL manuals have a trim to length of 2.484" and a maximum case length of 2.494"
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Yup, right you are.
Everything is so precisely measured now a days. I reloaded for at least 35 years before I saw a digital caliper on sale and bought it, the first, and only, caliper I ever owned.
I should point out that in years past I have, from time to time, measured case bases for expansion from pressure, but for this measurement I used a good micrometer.
For case length I always set aside a new case, or a factory loaded cartridge. From time to time I would check the cases I was loading by laying them beside the new brass. If the used cases appeared much longer, I would file them down. That's right, for years I used a file to trim them, as well as to smooth the outside of the neck down after. For the inside of the neck I beveled it out with my jack knife.
We don't want the cases to grow to the extent where the rifle chamber won't allow the neck to expand and release the bullet. But chambers and cases made to SAAMI guide lines, give considerable leeway. Thus, without question I could compare a used case with a new one and know if it was getting a dangerous length.
Being a bit short of specified length, like 10 or 20 thousands, is an absolute nothing.
Many of us have sized 30-06 cases with a 270W die, to make 270 brass. They end up abut 100 thousands less than specified length for a 270W. I have never noticed the slightest difference in using the shorter cases, nor have I ever heard of an experienced reloader and shooter who could detect a difference in the shortened case.
I should point out that in years past I have, from time to time, measured case bases for expansion from pressure, but for this measurement I used a good micrometer.
For case length I always set aside a new case, or a factory loaded cartridge. From time to time I would check the cases I was loading by laying them beside the new brass. If the used cases appeared much longer, I would file them down. That's right, for years I used a file to trim them, as well as to smooth the outside of the neck down after. For the inside of the neck I beveled it out with my jack knife.
We don't want the cases to grow to the extent where the rifle chamber won't allow the neck to expand and release the bullet. But chambers and cases made to SAAMI guide lines, give considerable leeway. Thus, without question I could compare a used case with a new one and know if it was getting a dangerous length.
Being a bit short of specified length, like 10 or 20 thousands, is an absolute nothing.
Many of us have sized 30-06 cases with a 270W die, to make 270 brass. They end up abut 100 thousands less than specified length for a 270W. I have never noticed the slightest difference in using the shorter cases, nor have I ever heard of an experienced reloader and shooter who could detect a difference in the shortened case.
Yup, makes no difference at all, I make 257 Wby from 264 WM, 7 mm Wby from 7mm RM, 280 from '06 and I just made up 50 30-40 Krag from 303 Brit cause I wanted to shoot a 95 I just bought.
These all end up short and work perfectly, like H4831 said we did sh1t in the old days that most now would shake their heads in disbelief.
H4831, you got a digital caliper? I have a couple in my shop and every time I go to use them the damn batteries are dead, my loading room still has the dial gauge ones I've had for 30 years, and the batteries are still good
These all end up short and work perfectly, like H4831 said we did sh1t in the old days that most now would shake their heads in disbelief.
H4831, you got a digital caliper? I have a couple in my shop and every time I go to use them the damn batteries are dead, my loading room still has the dial gauge ones I've had for 30 years, and the batteries are still good
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Interesting your comment about digital calipers, I just changed the battery on mine a few weeks back, but I left it dead for a year or more because the dial works fine, and I don't need to measure to 4 decimal points.
