Reloading for the 30-06 questions???

bill c68

bill c68

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I want to load some 30-06, which is new to me. After a quick search on Load Data. com I see all of the loads that I have the components for (180 Sierra SP, Varget, H-4895, IMR 4350 etc) all have a case trim length of 2.484-2.485". Now all of my brass is close to factory which is 2.494"

Any idea why the trim length? and if I choose not to trim what might be the reprocussions?

Any other loading I have done, (22-250 and 7mm-08) has laways been trimmed to factory specs.
 
The trim to length is always 0.010" under the factory max case length. You should recheck your trim to lengths for your other cartridges you load for as well.

The only way this will cause problems is if you let cases get so long they start to get pinched in the throat, which can cause normally safe loads to produce excessive pressures.
 
TimberPig said:
The trim to length is always 0.010" under the factory max case length. You should recheck your trim to lengths for your other cartridges you load for as well.

The only way this will cause problems is if you let cases get so long they start to get pinched in the throat, which can cause normally safe loads to produce excessive pressures.
Click to expand...

None of my other loads had a "trim to length" listed, just comes with a Max case length and max OAL. I have been trimming to max other than a few 22-250 that were a "tight fit" in the calipers, couldn't have been any more than .001" long.
 
2.494" is the max case length. FL resize, check the lengths again. Trim to 2.484", if required(2.484" is the 'trim-to' length. Having them all the same length is important) and chamfer the inside of the case mouth and deburr the outside. Load 'em and go shooting.
 
sunray said:
2.494" is the max case length. FL resize, check the lengths again. Trim to 2.484", if required(2.484" is the 'trim-to' length. Having them all the same length is important) and chamfer the inside of the case mouth and deburr the outside. Load 'em and go shooting.
Click to expand...

So I can trim to 2.484 OR 2.94 as long as they are consistent?

Cool
 
The reason they are telling you to have them consistent is because of accuracy. In theory, the slight difference in neck lengths, would cause a variation in pressure between the long and the short.
If you were competing in bench rest shooting, I'm sure you would do this.
In the real world of regular, fun, hunting, or casual shooting, I don't think you will find any difference in the accuracy.
OK guys, fire away at me!
 
The reason that the trim-to-length is .010" shorter than max length is so you are not trimming every firing or every other firing. When you trim .010" under, and if you are using sensible loads, you can often go 5 or more firings without trimming again. If you are keeping an eye on your brass length, how it grows can give you an inside track on how well you are resizing and how warm your loads are. Brass that "grows" several thousandths of an inch on a single firing with normal pressure loads usually means you have sized them too much, and they are stretching back by the head of the case. Reset your die so as not to push the shoulder back excessively. Of course, "hot" loads will always cause more growth than will those with less pressure. Even with my 220 Swift, I am trimming about every 4th firing. Consistent lengths are crucial to accurate loads. Regards, Eagleye.
 
If all the cases are at 2.494", you don't need to trim. They're at the maximum case length now. 2.484" is what you'll trim to after firing. The minimum case length. They will stretch a bit upon the first firing. So you'll be trimming sooner or later. If you trim 'em(and chamfer and deburr) now, to 2.484", you won't have to do it for several firings. At 2.494" they're fine the way they are though.
Accuracy is only part of it. Having the cases all the same length means you'll have a consistent OAL when you seat the bullet. If you're shooting a semi-auto, it'll save you a lot of feeding grief.
 
sunray said-----Accuracy is only part of it. Having the cases all the same length means you'll have a consistent OAL when you seat the bullet. If you're shooting a semi-auto, it'll save you a lot of feeding grief.
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Don't like to nit-pic, but what kind of reloading equipment are you using where the length of the neck determines bullet seating depth?
 
OK, maybe you meant you were crimping in a cannalure. I wasn't thinking about a crimping groove.
 
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