Case trim Length too short???

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oaktree

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So here's a question I've not seen asked on this forum yet:

What happens if one were to trim a case shorter than recommended "trim-to" length, say for example, a rifle bottleneck case such as a .30-06? Trimmed too short by, say .015? What about even shorter (assuming you don't trim off the whole dang neck!!?)

I've been very diligent in not trimming too short, and I don't care to be a guinea pig since I like to show my rifles respect through careful treatment. Having said that, would the result be inaccuracy, assuming all cases were trimmed equally too short?

Would there be harmful side effects, i.e. erosion of the chamber at the end of the chamber just before the leade?

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a little short is probably ok but too short may start to effect your accuracy. best not to over trim. on a case that headspaces on the shoulder or belt will be ok but pistol brass like 45 and 9mm headspace on the case mouth and would become an issue.
 
Good question indeed.

I would say like chappy, it might affect accuracy at some point but should not affect the bore and/or chamber.....but eh..... I could be wrong :rolleyes: .

Better a bit on the short side instead of the opposite :eek: .
 
As long as your not talkin silly short having them all the same is by far the more important..I remember one time having a whole wack of 300 H&H given to me,so fire formed them to 300 weath. They were all quite short by about .040. I just made em all the same and no prob..
 
Don't trim .45acp cases. With reloading they will shorten on their own. as far as headspacing on the mouth is concerned I think it is fair to say that most, including the 1911 headspace off the extractor despite what has been said and how it was designed.

Stay Safe
 
"...the 1911 headspace off the extractor..." Nope. Nothing headspaces on the extractor or the groove.
"...Trimmed too short..." You lose purchase on the bullet. That's not such a big deal with a heavy bullet(180's or so), but it can be with a 150 or less.
 
sunray

Maybe not but I got some .45acp cases that are now shorter than .800 and and they still function. I think we both agree the .45acp cases will not lengthen with reloading but rather shorten over time.

I also agree short is ok in rifle but long is a no, no.

Take Care
 
If trimmed too short, the case will chamber with ease, but your accuracy will definately suffer. When you fire the rifle, the bullet will swage itself into the gap left between the case mouth and the lands, therefore deforming the bullet. It will still fly,but not in its origional condition. I trim to .005 under actual chamber dimensions and it works for me.:D
 
case trimming

Trimming too short in a rifle is not so bad as long as you have good and equal bullet tension on the necks. I use .30-06 brass all the time with my .270 with no ill effects and that is 0.045" shorter on spec. Letting your brass stretch too long or using a reformed case that is too long is dangerous as it can drive pressures up. If you are roll crimping the bullets you must have the brass trimmed the same so that you do not get different, heavy or light, crimps.







270 totheend
 
I trim my 30.06 brass 5 thou. shorter than specs. I have never trimmed to 15 thou. shorter though. I think the "trim to" specs. found in manuals are used to ensure good neck tension with a variety of bullet designs.

As far as accuracy, throat erosion, etc. I have not had any problems.
 
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