Case Trimming Question

O

OldPPC

Guest
Friend of mine gave me some once fired .223 brass which I need to full length resize. If I trim the cases before resizing, the case length changes (actually lengthens) in the resizing die. If I resize the cases before trimming, the case neck is about .001 too small to fit over the trimmer pilot (nose) of the trimmer's cutter. I thought about having a smaller trimmer pilot made or simply sanding a factory pilot down on my lathe to reduce its diameter but I hesitate to start modifying equipment for reloading; I'm real annal about accuracy at every stage.
Because the .223 neck is not crimped for bullet seating, I also hesitate to try and find a larger neck sizing bulb for my resizing die as I believe that might reduce the tension for the friction fit of the bullet in the case neck and affect my current success with .281 inch 100 yard groups.
Any suggestions? :confused:
 
If you are real anneal about case trimming, use a Wilson trimmer and don't use a neck pilot. Wilson does not have a pilot. Does that tell you anything?
 
No matter what trimmer you use the cases should be trimmed after they're sized since they will likely be different lengths after sizing whether or not they're trimmed beforehand or not. If you want maximum uniformity that's the only way to do it. The cases have to be sized before they're fired so why trim before sizing. Doesn't make any sense to me.

A Wilson trimmer is the way to get cases that are exactly the same length though, that's for sure. BUT the pilot of lack of a pilot won't make any difference if the cases are trimmed before sizing because you'll still end up with case lengths that vary.
 
Larry Elliott said:
... The cases have to be sized before they're fired so why trim before sizing. Doesn't make any sense to me.
Click to expand...

Yes, I agree Larry. I just wanted to lay out the entire story in case the question about sizing before/after trimming came to someone's mind. I doesn't make sense to me to trim before sizing but, in desperation, I ran the comparative study to identify the actual source of the case length variations.
 
Who in BR uses a expander button on a sizing die? Neck bushings yes, neck sizeing expander, no. There is not a doubt that you will get less uniformity with a sizeing expander, more uneven necks. Even RCBS has admitted the same in print. Neck size with a bushing die and body size in a separate die. That is the path to accurate loading regardless of the chambering.

Just one of the pay-backs is less working of the brass.:D
 
Thanks, Big Al. I've learned something new form reading your comments and I'll do some research to see if I can find a set of dies that fit your description. I've been using RCBS factory dies for all my reloading (primarily pistol cartridges over the past fifty years) and I'm not familiar with the dies you describe but I will be VERY soon. ;)
 
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