Swage Or Trim First?

[nicholastheczar]

I have just recently started loading LC .223 brass. This requires me to swage the brass (I just bought a Dillon 600 Super Swage from Brian). My question is, should I swage first or trim first? Or does it really matter? Does the swage process affect the size of the brass in any way other than the primer pocket?

I am thinking my process will go something like this:

Tumble

Lube (One Shot)

Size / Deprime

Swage

Case gauge brass

Trim

Chamfer & Debur

Load

Tumble off lube

I use a Dillon XL650.

Thanks,

Nick

[D.Hayden]

I don't think the swage does anything to the length (I use a 1050, so never even think about it, but there's no upper case contact).

I'd recommend using the Dillon lube over One-Shot, there's some serious friction going on. I use One Shot (very light) for pistols, but for resizing rifle cases, always the Dillon (search, you'll see some horrow stories with One Shot).

I'd change it to:

1. Tumble (walnut - to clean)

2. Lube (Dillon)

3. Size / Deprime

4. Trim (every case, they may trim or not)

5. Tumble off lube (with corn cob)

6. Swage

7. Chamfer & Debur (I don't bother)

8. Load

And I'd just do all the 1-7 steps, and have a bunch of brass ready to go, and load them when I needed them.

Editted to correct bonehead cut/paste.

Edited March 1, 2006 by BerKim

[nicholastheczar]

I don't think the swage does anything to the length (I use a 1050, so never even think about it, but there's no upper case contact).

I'd recommend using the Dillon lube over One-Shot, there's some serious friction going on. I use One Shot (very light) for pistols, but for resizing rifle cases, always the Dillon (search, you'll see some horrow stories with One Shot).

I'd change it to:

1. Tumble (walnut - to clean)

2. Swage

3. Lube (Dillon)

4. Size / Deprime

5. Trim (every case, they may trim or not)

6. Tumble off lube (with corn cob)

7. Chamfer & Debur (I don't bother)

8. Load

And I'd just do all the 1-7 steps, and have a bunch of brass ready to go, and load them when I needed them.

I'll have to size / deprime before I swage right? I don't have my swage yet, but as far as I understand it, it doesn't pop the primer out while swaging right? Also, do the cases need to be lubed during the loading stage? The cases will only be going into the powder funnel, seating die, then crimp die. Do either the seating or crimp die require lube on brass?

Thanks

[D.Hayden]

Sorry.. I'm an idiot.. of course... deprime then swage (on a 1050, it's a no brainer). I didn't cut/paste that to the right place. I'd move it to after 6.

I don't lube the cases at all when loading, they're very little case contact after they've been resized properly. I even leave the full length resize die on, with the deprime stem (I used to use a neck sizer only), since I tumble the lube off, I want to make sure there's no corn cob in the flash hole.

[straightshooter1]

I know you have already purchased the swager from Brian or Dillon. However, after you have swaged your first 1000 cases (or even a few hundred) you might consider purchasing them swaged already. www.gibrass.com is Jeff Bartlett's site and he is a very nice guy who sells once-fired and pull-down gi brass. Brass is always great, never a problem. And, for only $10 per thousand, he will "process" the brass removing the crimp. I have used his brass for years and have never had any problem with the repriming after he has removed the crimp. Well worth the ten bucks IMHOP.

I have had a couple of problems with other sellers "processed" brass, but never his. I have used Midway's and I liked it but have seen a couple of threads on other forums which claimed the poster had some problems. Scharch is okay, too, I believe. I have not personally used Pat's Reloading, but have heard great things about them. All easy to find on the Web.

Do your first several hundred and you will understand and, I think, appreciate what ten bucks can still buy.

Bob

[nicholastheczar]

I know you have already purchased the swager from Brian or Dillon. However, after you have swaged your first 1000 cases (or even a few hundred) you might consider purchasing them swaged already. www.gibrass.com is Jeff Bartlett's site and he is a very nice guy who sells once-fired and pull-down gi brass. Brass is always great, never a problem. And, for only $10 per thousand, he will "process" the brass removing the crimp. I have used his brass for years and have never had any problem with the repriming after he has removed the crimp. Well worth the ten bucks IMHOP.

I have had a couple of problems with other sellers "processed" brass, but never his. I have used Midway's and I liked it but have seen a couple of threads on other forums which claimed the poster had some problems. Scharch is okay, too, I believe. I have not personally used Pat's Reloading, but have heard great things about them. All easy to find on the Web.

Do your first several hundred and you will understand and, I think, appreciate what ten bucks can still buy.

Bob

I most likely will do that. It just so happened that I had 2000 + pieces of once fired brass that needed to be swaged, otherwise I would have just bypassed that whole step. At least this way I will have it if I ever need again, which I most likely won't.

[TBF]

I don't think the swage does anything to the length (I use a 1050, so never even think about it, but there's no upper case contact).

I'd recommend using the Dillon lube over One-Shot, there's some serious friction going on. I use One Shot (very light) for pistols, but for resizing rifle cases, always the Dillon (search, you'll see some horrow stories with One Shot).

I'd change it to:

1. Tumble (walnut - to clean)

2. Swage

3. Lube (Dillon)

4. Size / Deprime

5. Trim (every case, they may trim or not)

6. Tumble off lube (with corn cob)

7. Chamfer & Debur (I don't bother)

8. Load

And I'd just do all the 1-7 steps, and have a bunch of brass ready to go, and load them when I needed them.

I'll have to size / deprime before I swage right? I don't have my swage yet, but as far as I understand it, it doesn't pop the primer out while swaging right? Also, do the cases need to be lubed during the loading stage? The cases will only be going into the powder funnel, seating die, then crimp die. Do either the seating or crimp die require lube on brass?

Thanks

You will only need lube for sizing, everything else should be done without lube.

Size before trimming.

Travis F.