Trimming .223/5.56

[cityrepo61]

How is it that I see or hear of people that reload rifle (especially 223/5.56) rounds without trimming their brass?
I was always told to make sure the brass is trimmed to the correct length.

thanks
steve

[Heartlessmcfly]

I prep all my cases before any loading, so I'll take 1,000 and deprime/resize. Once that is done, I'll set my calipers at max length a 223 should be and pass them through. If they clear, they go in a pile to be further prepped. If they don't fit, they go in a trimming pile

[Heartlessmcfly]

Rifle brass does not always need to be trimmed after ever firing. The hotter you load them, the more they will stretch

[cityrepo61]

I do the same and but I was wondering why these people don't trim.
I've posted it before. How I do my reloading
Clean the brass
inspect
deprime
clean again
inspect
lube
resize and expand neck
check length
trim if needed (debur edges)
clean to remove lube
inspect
reprime
then I run it through the press.

True it may not need to be trimmed but I think it's better to check. No?

[Heartlessmcfly]

Yes, you need to check. You don't have to run them through a trimmer after you resize. Simply having a template or using your calipers set at desired length and passing them through is good enough.

Nownif if your going for match grade, that's a whole other ballgame

[Mad Russian]

If you initially trim them a few hundreds under max you most likely will not need to trim again.

[FastPhil]

I do the same and but I was wondering why these people don't trim.
I've posted it before. How I do my reloading
Clean the brass
inspect
deprime
clean again
inspect
lube
resize and expand neck
check length
trim if needed (debur edges)
clean to remove lube
inspect
reprime
then I run it through the press.

True it may not need to be trimmed but I think it's better to check. No?

That is way to many steps
lube
resize
tumble

[Heartlessmcfly]

I tumble, lube, resize...

[cityrepo61]

Thanks.

[Airbrush art]

I too deprime and size brass not only 223 but others as well, all my priming is done with a hand primer, I check my brass with a simple go no go gauge just before priming, 99.9% pass without a problem, no need for calipers, I use a Lyman E Zee brass length gauge, purchased 2 from ebay many years ago.

[Airbrush art]

Here's a picture of the ones I have

[cityrepo61]

I use a caliper to measure the cases and Wilson case gauges.

[Scottzilla]

My experience based on reloading .223/5.56 is that once fired seems to stay in spec but the more you reuse the cases the higher percentage will need to be trimmed (Mind you, I do not measure brass. Ain't got time for that...I just run all of my cases through the trimmer).
In a thousand round box of factory ammo I may come across 5 that actually reach the trimmer blade. However, my next go around will result in a dozen or more that actually get trimmed.
Seems the more you shoot it, the more it needs to be trimmed.

I think you can get away without trimming if you reload each case twice. After that you may get some long rounds.
Crimped primer pockets suck worse than trimming imo.

[Mad Russian]

My experience based on reloading .223/5.56 is that once fired seems to stay in spec but the more you reuse the cases the higher percentage will need to be trimmed (Mind you, I do not measure brass. Ain't got time for that...I just run all of my cases through the trimmer).
In a thousand round box of factory ammo I may come across 5 that actually reach the trimmer blade. However, my next go around will result in a dozen or more that actually get trimmed.
Seems the more you shoot it, the more it needs to be trimmed.

I think you can get away without trimming if you reload each case twice. After that you may get some long rounds.
Crimped primer pockets suck worse than trimming imo.

Crimps are easy to cut out with a drill and 3/8 countersink bit. Takes a second or two and the crimp is gone.

[Scottzilla]

Crimps are easy to cut out with a drill and 3/8 countersink bit. Takes a second or two and the crimp is gone.

yep, I have a drill powered primer crimp removal thingy. Tough on my girlie fingers.