.243 case length...

[Alleycat]

I'm getting ready to reload some .243 and measured my resized once fired federal brass at 2.044 - 2.045. Being that the max length is 2.045 would you experience reloaders say that i'm good to go for this round of reloading?
I know many of you will say "just give them a quick trim" trouble is I don't have a trimmer yet and I'm chomping at the bit to reload a batch.

Is it normal for only once fired brass to be at or near max length? They were fired from my axis if that means anything.

Cheers
Allan

 

[H4831]

I'm getting ready to reload some .243 and measured my resized once fired federal brass at 2.044 - 2.045. Being that the max length is 2.045 would you experience reloaders say that i'm good to go for this round of reloading?
I know many of you will say "just give them a quick trim" trouble is I don't have a trimmer yet and I'm chomping at the bit to reload a batch.

Is it normal for only once fired brass to be at or near max length? They were fired from my axis if that means anything.
Cheers
Allan

If it were me, I would load them up and shoot them.
The 243 Winchester cases do grow with shooting, but getting down to .001" is too small an increment for me to even think about.
If you are really concerned about length and have no trimmer, you can just file a bit off of the length of them. And if you have no camphor tool, use your jack knife to ream the inside of the neck after filing and lightly rub the file over the outside to take off the rough edge.
Bruce

 

[Alleycat]

If it were me, I would load them up and shoot them.
The 243 Winchester cases do grow with shooting, but getting down to .001" is too small an increment for me to even think about.
If you are really concerned about length and have no trimmer, you can just file a bit off of the length of them. And if you have no camphor tool, use your jack knife to ream the inside of the neck after filing and lightly rub the file over the outside to take off the rough edge.
Bruce

Great, thanks for the reply. That's what I figured but I thought I'd swing it by those who have been doing this awhile. A trimmer is on my to get list...

Cheers
A

 

[Lead Loader]

id say you could use them, just watch for hard extractions, book specs are only approx for that cartridge, some are smaller and others longer, and ive found mine grow .007-.008" each firing, if not now your next one deffinately needs a trim.

 

[Alleycat]

id say you could use them, just watch for hard extractions, book specs are only approx for that cartridge, some are smaller and others longer, and ive found mine grow .007-.008" each firing, if not now your next one deffinately needs a trim.

Thanks LL,
I've got a Lee trimmer ordered and should be in this week.
In the end it didn't matter because when I went to start priming my cases i found out that my lee hand primer takes different shell holders....Geezes!!!

A

 

[sunray]

Yep, you're all set. You only need to worry about trimming when the length is longer than the max length.
"...don't have a trimmer..." When you do buy one, remember to buy a chamfering tool as well. After trimming, you'll need to chamfer the inside of he case mouth and deburr the outside.
"...camphor tool..." You're going to knock yourself out with that. snicker.

 

[HIGHRPM]

I have always been told, if you can easily chamber your once fired brass you are good to go. It hasn't failed me yet, and I am sure it depends on the rifle.

 

[Lead Loader]

yup no prob, i picked up a whole kit in the breech lock press kit, came with everything for the hand priming tool for most common calibers. I bought a lyman trimmer after knowing i needed it and it works great, and a rcbs deburring tool.