kasen Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 (edited) I've been trimming cases of .223 (mixed brass from the range) to 1.75 per my reloading manual recommended length. However, a lot of the brass I've collected is shorter than 1.75. I'm mainly reloading using 55gr boat tail, nothing smaller. How to short is too short to reload? Edited February 5, 2011 by kasen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadowrider Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 How much shorter than 1.75? Are you measuring before sizing? They will grow when re-sized. Mine typically grow about .006"/.007". If you are using a bullet with a cannelure and it will still crimp into it, I think you are fine. Any shorter and I'd start to worry about having enough bullet tension to hold the bullet in place during feeding. But other than that I can see no real danger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kasen Posted February 5, 2011 Author Share Posted February 5, 2011 (edited) How much shorter than 1.75? Are you measuring before sizing? They will grow when re-sized. Mine typically grow about .006"/.007". If you are using a bullet with a cannelure and it will still crimp into it, I think you are fine. Any shorter and I'd start to worry about having enough bullet tension to hold the bullet in place during feeding. But other than that I can see no real danger. How much shorter than 1.75? Let's say 1.65 and 55 grain without a cannelure... I'll give further context, I'm using a Giraud trimmer set at 1.75. Anything that doesn't get trimmed is suspect. There's a lot of mixed brass (not mine) I'd like to use but it's shorter. Edited February 5, 2011 by kasen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rishii Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I'm using the rcbs x-die, and they instruct to trim 10 thou under trim length I also shoot 55 fmj bulk, don't crimp my round and never had a problem with bullet tension Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 size the brass thats not longer than 1.750" and see if it gets longer (if you aren't already). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMCamp0811 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I've been wondering this also, I de-prime and resize my brass then go to trim it and some of the brass is as short as 1.740 maybe a little less... stuff thats greater than 1.745 I've been keeping the others I've been tossing in my bad brass ammo can. I use a 550B with Dillon dies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbs007 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I've trimmed some casings to 1.68 by mistake before and used them, still worked with 55gr fmj. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadowrider Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 How much shorter than 1.75? Are you measuring before sizing? They will grow when re-sized. Mine typically grow about .006"/.007". If you are using a bullet with a cannelure and it will still crimp into it, I think you are fine. Any shorter and I'd start to worry about having enough bullet tension to hold the bullet in place during feeding. But other than that I can see no real danger. How much shorter than 1.75? Let's say 1.65 and 55 grain without a cannelure... I'll give further context, I'm using a Giraud trimmer set at 1.75. Anything that doesn't get trimmed is suspect. There's a lot of mixed brass (not mine) I'd like to use but it's shorter. Oops...Sorry I took a vacation on you. Watching this one now. 1.65? That's .100" less! Are you sure that's not a typo? Because there can't be a lot of neck left if that number's right. That's definitely a lot shorter than I would use. .015/.020 is one thing, even .030, but .100? I wouldn't use them unless you are single loading in a bolt action. And then I still wouldn't use them because they just couldn't be very consistent with that much less tension on the bullet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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