Short Starline .44 Mag brass?

[ghh3rd]

I just bought some Starline .44 Magnum brass. Since I will be using it to shoot groups to work up some loads, I figured I'd trim to equal length to help get more uniform crimps.

SAAMI max length is 1.285 -- my new brass ranges from 1.272 to 1.278 (most at the lower end).

My Lee (non adjustable) trimmer cuts at 1.277 -- seems that I won't be able to get uniform length brass, I'll have a .005 spread, so I'll have to sort some by length for my testing.

Does this Starline brass seem short, or is this their norm?

Thanks

[SteveS]

Did you size the cases before measuring?

I recently bought some Starline .357 brass that measured short until I sized them. Problem solved.

[ultramag]

That is within the range Starline lists for their brass. The specs given on their site are at 1.270"-1.280".

[ghh3rd]

The specs given on their site are at 1.270"-1.280".Thanks, I hadn't noticed that.

Guess I'll size them all first, and then trim to 1.272. Am I correct in thinking that they will then shorten a bit when fired, but come back to 1.272 when they are sized again?

[NSB]

Thanks, I hadn't noticed that.

Guess I'll size them all first, and then trim to 1.272. Am I correct in thinking that they will then shorten a bit when fired, but come back to 1.272 when they are sized again?

In theory yes, but don't count on it. FWIW, every brand of handgun brass I've owned hasn't been exact in length. Starline's no worse than Win or RP.

[gray wolf]

The brass will expand when it's shot, So the brass goes out and the case gets shorter.
When you resize the case the brass gets pushed in and goes up, case gets long again.
Does it go back to original trim length ? some do some do not, shooting the same load ( same pressure )
I find them to be from the same to + - .002 stronger loads expand the case a little more and the numbers change.

[Bullwolf]

I just got a box of brand new unfired Starline 44 magnum brass.

I full length sized it all once just for conformity sake. it was all within spec. Starline shows 1.270 - 1.280 O.A.L. on their page.

Lyman 49th shows a trim length of 1.275 for 44 Magnum.

I almost never trim any pistol brass, and rarely do I use unfired brass. Have been having a hard time finding 44 Magnum brass lately so I actually broke down and bought some.

Because it was new and unfired I figured I should check the length to be on the safe side of things.


- Bullwolf