Trimming Pistol Cases? - The Firearms Forum

mgatc · 01-27-2011, 07:29 PM

Do straight wall pistol cases need to be trimmed?

Thanks,
m

garydude · 01-27-2011, 07:53 PM

Yup, everytime and right after you anneal them.

Naw!!! Just kidding. I've never trimmed one. They will likely get shorter over time, especially if you are loading for a semi-auto.

todd51 · 01-27-2011, 08:03 PM

+1 on what Gary said. Sometimes when I have a bunch of mixed revolver brass that have been fired unknown times I will trim but only so that the crimp is more consistent and I don't have to keep messing with the die.

JLA · 01-27-2011, 09:10 PM

I concur, the only pistol cases I have trimmed in 5 years is my .44 mags...

Oneida Steve · 01-27-2011, 09:25 PM

I have never trimmed pistol cases, and I would not bother unless some rare caliber was involved and brass was scarce.

mgatc · 01-27-2011, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garydude

Yup, everytime and right after you anneal them.

I was scrolling down and this was the only sentence that I saw. My first thought was WHA?!?!? I've been checking lengths and trimming every case but have yet to get to get even a sliver of brass off of the case mouth. So I'm still thinking WHA?!?!?

Then I scroll on down and DUH! lol

Love this forum

woolleyworm · 01-27-2011, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgatc

I was scrolling down and this was the only sentence that I saw. My first thought was WHA?!?!? I've been checking lengths and trimming every case but have yet to get to get even a sliver of brass off of the case mouth. So I'm still thinking WHA?!?!?

Then I scroll on down and DUH! lol

Love this forum

Lol - you don't anneal your 25acp cases???????

Trim to keep a consistent crimp and that is about it for straight wall cases.

LDBennett · 01-28-2011, 09:07 AM

You do not need to trim name brand pistol brass. The only problem might be that if the lengths vary enough then getting a consistent correct crimp on cases of various length might not be doable. Even then I have never found it necessary to trim pistol cases. The crimps may not all look the same but the ammo still goes boom and hits the target mostly where I want it too.

LDBennett

gdmoody · 01-28-2011, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

I concur, the only pistol cases I have trimmed in 5 years is my .44 mags...

Ditto!! And not very often.

JLA · 01-28-2011, 06:56 PM

and thats only because im a glutton for punishment and have always had a hungry ruger wheelgun to feed stout loads too...

01-27-2011, 07:29 PM	#1
mgatc V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Florence, SC Posts: 70	Trimming Pistol Cases? Do straight wall pistol cases need to be trimmed? Thanks, m -->

01-27-2011, 07:53 PM	#2
garydude Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Desert Southwest Proper Contributor Posts: 741	Re: Trimming Pistol Cases? Yup, everytime and right after you anneal them. Naw!!! Just kidding. I've never trimmed one. They will likely get shorter over time, especially if you are loading for a semi-auto.

01-27-2011, 08:03 PM	#3
todd51 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central, Ohio Contributor Posts: 2,571	Re: Trimming Pistol Cases? +1 on what Gary said. Sometimes when I have a bunch of mixed revolver brass that have been fired unknown times I will trim but only so that the crimp is more consistent and I don't have to keep messing with the die. __________________ Retired Praefectus Vigilum NRA Endowment Member

01-27-2011, 09:10 PM	#4
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,305	Re: Trimming Pistol Cases? I concur, the only pistol cases I have trimmed in 5 years is my .44 mags... __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

01-27-2011, 09:25 PM	#5
Oneida Steve Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,028	Re: Trimming Pistol Cases? I have never trimmed pistol cases, and I would not bother unless some rare caliber was involved and brass was scarce.

01-28-2011, 09:07 AM	#8
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,710	Re: Trimming Pistol Cases? You do not need to trim name brand pistol brass. The only problem might be that if the lengths vary enough then getting a consistent correct crimp on cases of various length might not be doable. Even then I have never found it necessary to trim pistol cases. The crimps may not all look the same but the ammo still goes boom and hits the target mostly where I want it too. LDBennett

01-28-2011, 06:56 PM	#10
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,305	Re: Trimming Pistol Cases? and thats only because im a glutton for punishment and have always had a hungry ruger wheelgun to feed stout loads too... __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!