I've been reloading for a while now and have thus far been super picky about everything. However, does it really matter if case length is short by a few thousandths even though when complete the over all cartridge length is exactly correct? I guess what I'm asking is how much if at all does this effect accuracy?
Trimming the cartridge length to the proper OAL
- Thread starter komifornian
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Re: Trimming the cartridge length to the proper OAL
As long as they are all the same length accuracy shouldn't suffer.
As long as they are all the same length accuracy shouldn't suffer.
Re: Trimming the cartridge length to the proper OAL
Well from my tests that i have run i accidentally trimmed a 308 case 4 thousands under min and it still shot just as well as the ones that i trimmed correctly. But on that note i have trimmed 300 win mag slightley short and it did have an affect on accuracy of about 1/4 MOA but i assumed this is probably due to the short neck already. I dont think it affects it as much as them being different lengths does or as much as being close to max length. As long as its not overly short i think it will be ok on a standard size neck.
Well from my tests that i have run i accidentally trimmed a 308 case 4 thousands under min and it still shot just as well as the ones that i trimmed correctly. But on that note i have trimmed 300 win mag slightley short and it did have an affect on accuracy of about 1/4 MOA but i assumed this is probably due to the short neck already. I dont think it affects it as much as them being different lengths does or as much as being close to max length. As long as its not overly short i think it will be ok on a standard size neck.
Re: Trimming the cartridge length to the proper OAL
Neck tension would be slightly different as you would not have quite as much of the surface of the neck gripping the bullet.
Neck tension would be slightly different as you would not have quite as much of the surface of the neck gripping the bullet.
Re: Trimming the cartridge length to the proper OAL
So I'm going to assume that if the length fluctuates a few thousandths on the short side I shouldn't see any noticeable accuracy changes.
I've also been super meticulous about everything else as well and because of this it takes a really long time to load 20 rounds. Everything is exactly the same in every way. So if I can have just a little lead way it would save me a bunch of time. The most time consuming thing is getting exactly the same powder grain count. I throw it then weigh it (digitally) and remove or add to make sure it's perfect. For example if the recipe requires 38 grains, every load is exactly 38.000 grains. If I could just have a variance it would be so much faster. So one would be 38.0, the next might be 37.8 and the next 38.1.... Anybody live with these tolerances?
So I'm going to assume that if the length fluctuates a few thousandths on the short side I shouldn't see any noticeable accuracy changes.
I've also been super meticulous about everything else as well and because of this it takes a really long time to load 20 rounds. Everything is exactly the same in every way. So if I can have just a little lead way it would save me a bunch of time. The most time consuming thing is getting exactly the same powder grain count. I throw it then weigh it (digitally) and remove or add to make sure it's perfect. For example if the recipe requires 38 grains, every load is exactly 38.000 grains. If I could just have a variance it would be so much faster. So one would be 38.0, the next might be 37.8 and the next 38.1.... Anybody live with these tolerances?
Re: Trimming the cartridge length to the proper OAL
Buy the RCBS chargemaster and be forever done with the weighing BS ! Lifes short and there's better things to be doing....let the damn machine weigh and meter while you prep brass or sort bullets or clean a rifle.
Buy the RCBS chargemaster and be forever done with the weighing BS ! Lifes short and there's better things to be doing....let the damn machine weigh and meter while you prep brass or sort bullets or clean a rifle.
Re: Trimming the cartridge length to the proper OAL
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Exhogflyer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Buy the RCBS chargemaster and be forever done with the weighing BS ! Lifes short and there's better things to be doing....let the damn machine weigh and meter while you prep brass or sort bullets or clean a rifle.</div></div>
Great advice! Unless you're shooting a benchrest match, life's too short to worry about a few thousandths or even tenths when it comes to powder charge, trimming etc. Spend a some bucks and get a Chargemaster or good powder measure along with a Giurard (sp?) trimmer and spend your time doing something more productive.
Group size fluctuations are far more likely to be a result of the shooter doing something wrong vs your brass being a few thousandths too long or short. As long as they're pretty close to the same you'll be fine.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Exhogflyer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Buy the RCBS chargemaster and be forever done with the weighing BS ! Lifes short and there's better things to be doing....let the damn machine weigh and meter while you prep brass or sort bullets or clean a rifle.</div></div>
Great advice! Unless you're shooting a benchrest match, life's too short to worry about a few thousandths or even tenths when it comes to powder charge, trimming etc. Spend a some bucks and get a Chargemaster or good powder measure along with a Giurard (sp?) trimmer and spend your time doing something more productive.
Group size fluctuations are far more likely to be a result of the shooter doing something wrong vs your brass being a few thousandths too long or short. As long as they're pretty close to the same you'll be fine.
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