variation in trimming brass

[black_ump]

so iam trimming for 308 2.015" if i remember correctly is spec.
As i trim i notice their is variation and i want to know if thats ok and how much variation is ok before its a problem.

example ill trim one piece and its 2.0155 and will be around that length +/- .001 or .002 but i will get one every once in a while thats blown way under such as 2.005

what should i do with the ones i have that are blown way under ?
what about the ones with the 1 or 2 thou variance ?

 

[CK_32]

Re: variation in trimming brass

Tag.


I also run into the same problem when trimming. Im sometimes 2.005 or 2.007 or 2.004. Same with when I seat the bullets. My OAL will be 2.800 or sometimes 2.798 and 2.805.. I figured that was normal. I try to be as close to perfect as I can but I just figured it was part of reloading and was almost impossable to be exactly 2.800 every single time.

But am interested in seeing some more answers on this.

 

[Timo Turl]

Re: variation in trimming brass

what trimmers are you using ?

 

[Rob01]

Re: variation in trimming brass

The trim to length for a .308 is 2.005" and the max case length is listed as 2.015 so I would trim them shorter.

Also what trimmer? One that sizes off the shoulder datum line or from base to case mouth?

 

[CK_32]

Re: variation in trimming brass

Im using a laymen universal.

being off OAL and trim length +/- .005 isnt that bad is it?

 

[tnichols]

Re: variation in trimming brass

I use a Redding trimmer with the micrometer adjustment, and have an oddball here and there. I try to keep everything close to perfect, but it doesn't always happen. Instead of pitching the ones that are short, load 'em up, keep them seperate and use them for foulers or warm up ammo. Heck even the factory ammo that I've spent considerable time measuring and what not has an occasional "oddball" in it, and it shoots just fine. Just my opinion, I'm wrong a lot.

 

[black_ump]

Re: variation in trimming brass

oh ok 2.005 is good then... ill shorten the rest, i have a forster trimmer with 3 way cutter.

i would say being off .001 or .0015 isnt that big of a deal couldnt see where it would hurt if they are allowed to get to 2.015

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: variation in trimming brass

"what about the ones with the 1 or 2 thou variance ?"

From a practical point of view, those are exactly the same length. The reason there is a "trim to" length that's 10 thou under the max length is that there is no benefit in total consistancy within that range. Trimming cases to exactly the same length will last exactly one loading, after that you will have variations.

 

[vman]

Re: variation in trimming brass

2.005 is what i trim to on my .308win cases.

I use an LE Wilson Case trimmer.

I would not worry too much if you have trimmed slightly shorter than this. The cases will still be good to go and they will eventually grow back to 2.005.

I recall seeing an article on accurateshooter.com recently, where a particular mans handloads where in cases that barely even had a neck and he was get great results with his rifle.