1 Fired brass is too long... normal?

RoscoeT

RoscoeT

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I just started reloading for my .243 and all my once fired brass was longer than the max trim length. They were all over .2045 up around .2048 or .2049

I know that after several shots brass usually stretches but is it normal for the once fired Winchester brass to be too long?

I ran them all through the trimmer and got them to around .2035

Also, I have the lee kit and I find the tube o' lube a bit messy and a pain. I get it everywhere. On the die and shell holder and everywhere in between. Maybe I am using too much. I think I need a better lube system.

I tried to apply the lube to each case with a q-tip and it was so time consuming.

Suggestions?
 
Some brands will be over trim length after the first firing, others will be below it. Use as little lube as allows smooth resizing. I just use my fingers. I also use Imperial resizing wax as well at times. It kind of reminds me of Carmex, the lip balm. Just a bit on the finger tips is good for several cartridges.
 
Grizzlypeg said:
Some brands will be over trim length after the first firing, others will be below it. Use as little lube as allows smooth resizing. I just use my fingers. I also use Imperial resizing wax as well at times. It kind of reminds me of Carmex, the lip balm. Just a bit on the finger tips is good for several cartridges.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I had tried to use very little but had a few cases that needed a lot of extra force to remove. So, I put more lube. Still a bit sticky but being my first time reloading I am not sure what would be considered an appropriate amount of lube OR stickiness.
 
Dilute the Lee product with water - see the instructions. I use a pudding cup. It thins out into a liquid. Use your fingers to coat - let it dry (very important). You will note the coating is very thin and unifirm, and doesnt clog the die.
 
RoscoeT said:
Also, I have the lee kit and I find the tube o' lube a bit messy and a pain. I get it everywhere. On the die and shell holder and everywhere in between. Maybe I am using too much. I think I need a better lube system.
Click to expand...


I put the lube on a sponge. Rub it in good, then just roll the cases on it 4 or 5 at a time. Another small piece of sponge saturated with lube cut to fit in the neck of the case.

Easy peasy.
 
243 brass, any brand I have tried, grows faster than any other calibre I have used.
When I was loading quite a bit of it, I just routinely trimmed it after every firing.
 
gth said:
I put the lube on a sponge. Rub it in good, then just roll the cases on it 4 or 5 at a time. Another small piece of sponge saturated with lube cut to fit in the neck of the case.

Easy peasy.
Click to expand...

Using the lee stuff, do you mix with water?
 
I find that my large rifle brass requires trimming after every firing. Some people trim a little shorter so they can trim every other firing.

I use an RCBS Case Lube Pad put on 5-10 rounds at a time roll them back and forth lube inside neck and press. Done in seconds. I used to use the Lee lube but found this to be too time consuming. I also tried spray on lube but was not successful.
 
It isn't all that unusual for once-fired cases to require trimming.

I use Kiwi neutral shoe polish. I just smear a thin coat on the case with my index finger. It's comparable to Imperial Sizing Wax, but costs even less. You probably aren't over-lubricating the cases unless you are denting case shoulders.
 
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