trimming pistol

[Charlie Sometimes]

I can't figure why you wouldn't check and trim your pistol brass.
Despite low pressures in some loads, it should be done.
Like Frank said, and besides, it is a safety issue- why else would they tell you to do it in all the manuals, etc.

Dangerous it becomes at some point, and you don't ever know when that point is reached until it is too late.

[That'll Do]

The only pistol brass I trim is 357 Magnum, and only when I use a particular bullet (Speer 180gr TMJ Silhouette bullet), because the bullet won't fit in my 686 when properly crimped.

All my rifle brass gets trimmed (which drives me nuts, because I shoot 1000's of rounds of 223 Remington yearly).

[MtGun44]

What you say is right if pistol brass got longer. It does not. Shorter in many cases.

Measure some, doesn't change or gets shorter. Finally figured not worth even measuring
any more, haven't measured one in at least 25 yrs.

Bill

[canyon-ghost]

I think the major concern with Pistol brass is the case neck, I've seen some that weren't straight so, the crimp is odd.

[Phillip]

With new brass, I will inspect and trim the overly long ones. And if they are used in in rifle as well, like my 45 Colt does, I will trim them every 3 to 4 reloads if they need it.

[DrB]

Never found a need with pistol, yet.

Just got done sorting by headstamp and trimming a bunch of fire-formed K-Hornet. The Winchester and Remington Peters headstamps had a largish difference in case capacity, and brass thickness. I figured after going to the trouble to fireform, anneal, sort, etc., I might as well trim 'em.

Not too many were out of spec, but I know now that they'll all be in spec, and maybe I'll get a bump to accuracy to boot.

DrB

[BOOM BOOM]

HI,
I never trimmed pistol brass for about 40 yrs.
But about 2 yrs. ago I got convinced it should be done.
Since this involved 5,000- 357, & 3.000-44 brass, it was a real task, would not have done it if I did not believe it was worth it.
Do a thread search, we have discussed this topic at length. It will be enlightening.

[9.3X62AL]

Not a "straightwall" caliber per se, but 32-20 WCF revolver brass WILL extend upon firing, and often unevenly. 32-20 brass gets trimmed every other firing, rifle or revolver. Starline brass is not as prone to this issue as W-W and R-P, and is thicker/stronger as well.

[MtGun44]

Shows what a neckdown does, Al. Interesting report, given that the "shoulder" is
pretty minimal, but same result.

Bill

[9.3X62AL]

32-20 WCF chamber--die--and cartridge dimensions are all over the map, esp. shoulder angle and location. On the rifle brass, I partial full-length size the Starline brass, and since it goes into only one rifle this controls the stretching to some extent. I still haven't segregated Win and RP brass between the S&W and Colt revolvers, and need to do so. Throats vary, as do shoulder placements in the chambers. Once I start partial F/L sizing, I might get a better handle on case length. Maybe. It's on my List Of Crud To Do.