Trim dies and SB FL Dies

[RickP]

I'm thinking of purchasing a used SB FL die set that has included with it a trim die. I'm going to reload for my Winchester 100 in 308 win.

1. Does the trim die do any sizing? If it does, is it neck only or FL?

2. Should I FL size and deprime with the next setup being trim or should it be vice versa? My uncertainty here is a result of not knowing exactly what the trim die does - see #1 above.

3. Is this method of trimming the case a bad idea with SB FL dies?

Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge.

 

[H4831]

It sounds like you have teh type of trim die where you push the case full in and file off any of the neck that sticks up.
If this is what you have, I think they are a great die.
These dies full length size the case, but do not size the neck. Therefore, I put the case through the regular sizing die first, leave the lubricant on the case, then later put them in the trim die and file off what sticks out.

 

[ben hunchak]

This type of trim die is actually quite quick to use, once you get going, I didn't know that they don't size the neck of the case. Moral of the story: you can always learn things from Bruce. ( I guess I thought that they do size the neck and you would have to expand in a separate operation)

 

[H4831]

This type of trim die is actually quite quick to use, once you get going, I didn't know that they don't size the neck of the case. Moral of the story: you can always learn things from Bruce. ( I guess I thought that they do size the neck and you would have to expand in a separate operation)

Ben, they're designed to accept a loaded cartridge. I recently confirmed this by taking a loaded 243 cartridge and inserting the bullet end into the die from the top. The neck went in and out easily, with just my fingers.
In the past I have buggered up cartridges, usually by not lubricating the inside of the necks, thus they stretched a bit and wouldn't go in the rifle chamber after they were loaded. So presto, just run them through the trim die and they end up perfect.
I did wonder if I was squeezing the neck a bit, but no, the closest I can measure the hole is large enough for the cartridge and I just did the neck thing in, to prove it to myself.