Revolver cases seldom, if ever, need trimming although they do vary in length between different manufacturers. A note here:Hornady .357 Magnum LEVERevolution brass is considerably shorter than SAAMI length and may cause an over-pressure situation when reloaded with maximum level powder charges. Autoloader brass, (9mm, .45ACP etc.), requires close attention to both case length and overall length.
__________________ Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty--- Jefferson
Revolver cases seldom, if ever, need trimming although they do vary in length between different manufacturers. A note here:Hornady .357 Magnum LEVERevolution brass is considerably shorter than SAAMI length and may cause an over-pressure situation when reloaded with maximum level powder charges. Autoloader brass, (9mm, .45ACP etc.), requires close attention to both case length and overall length.
Good points. I had to trim some .357 brass when I was using relativevly heavy loads with H4227 and they didn't need much trimming. That was before carbide dies came out. Since I switched powders and got carbide dies, I didn't had to trrim them again. When they reached the end of their useful life (After about 8 or 10 reloadings)the case mouths would crack. Couldn't trim the cracks out so I tossed them into the scrap bucket.
Autoloaders headspace on the case mouth so I watch them pretty closely. Haven't had to trim my .45 acp's yet, but they haven't been reloaded more than a couple of times. Never hurts to check.
__________________
The possession of arms is the distinction of a free man from a slave.
-Andrew Fletcher
I've never trimmed a pistol case ever. even with hot loads from the 357 or 45 colt loads, the brass wears out before they can stretch enough to even think about it.
low pressure autos like the 9mm or 45 acp seem to last forever as long as you don't overwork the case mouths, and any stretch is minimal if any.
I've got 45 acp cases that have been thru the loading process so many times the headstamps are almost completely gone, and never needed trimmed. here's a picture of a couple I saved from some years back to keep as examples:
__________________ If I need more than 1 shot, I need more practice.
It was still an EXCELLENT demonstration of why we handload!
Now, if you add 4 or 5 more calibers, which entails just adding the dies, powder, bullets, and primers (which may be the same), you save the cost of the equipment in the calculations, and get to shoot more for less.
Works for me!!!!
This thread should be made into a Sticky for the Handloading and Reloading Forum.
Nothing against the op, but we do have an exellent sticky by moose with the hanloading cost caculator submitted by billy.By the way not all shooters should or want to be reloaders.
__________________
A gun is like a fire extinguisher,you use it while you wait for 911
Some don't trust themselves, some can't be bothered. Some must have money to burn, like the time I went to the range and picked up like 50 something .454 Casull empties and 50 something .45 Colt empties off the floor. He threw them away, I'm like "JACKPOT!".
__________________
People think I'm paranoid because I own guns. If I own guns, what do I have to be paranoid about?
I always get a chuckle out of threads asking/explaining how much we may save by handloading. Given that the cartridge, components chosen, price paid for it all vs. widely varying cost of factory ammo for various cartridges seems to make it a nebulus persuit, at best.
I've been reloading since '65, started so I could save money. Think maybe I should break even any day now, then I'm gonna start saving! But I've had a lot of fun and learned things I had never dreamed of about guns, ammo and loading for best results so the money question sorta got lost a long way back.
I always get a chuckle out of threads asking/explaining how much we may save by handloading. Given that the cartridge, components chosen, price paid for it all vs. widely varying cost of factory ammo for various cartridges seems to make it a nebulus persuit, at best.
I've been reloading since '65, started so I could save money. Think maybe I should break even any day now, then I'm gonna start saving! But I've had a lot of fun and learned things I had never dreamed of about guns, ammo and loading for best results so the money question sorta got lost a long way back.
you just need to shoot more
my Dillon 550 paid for itself within a year just in 45 ammo. (cost retail versus cost reloading)
but do I save any money really?
No, instead of going to the range with a few boxes of store bought ammo, I roll in early in the morning with a couple ammo cans full of handloads ready to spend a full day shooting till I wear myself out
__________________ If I need more than 1 shot, I need more practice.
And bear in mind that good quality all-lead bullets, such as cast or swaged bullets, will greatly increase the savings. Pistol shooters who just like to go out and punch some paper will really pay off their equipment fast if they go with cast bullets. They are very accurate. You do not have to cast them, you can buy them commercially at as low as $55 or $60 per 500.
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