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5/27/2013 4:36:36 PM EDT
Hi I`m a rifle reloader, 30-06, 270W, 8mm, & 45-70.  I want to start loading 45 ACP.  So my question is how critical is the case length for the 45`s?
5/27/2013 4:41:39 PM EDT
[#1]
I trim once after first firing and or finding it at the range. I have brass thats been loaded 10 times and not trimmed again.  So in short case length is not all that important.
5/27/2013 5:07:58 PM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
Hi I`m a rifle reloader, 30-06, 270W, 8mm, & 45-70.  I want to start loading 45 ACP.  So my question is how critical is the case length for the 45`s?


It is not critical, it never changes. Shoot, sIze and load. Same applies to 9mm brass.
5/27/2013 5:11:43 PM EDT
[#3]
I have never trimmed a 45ACP case, and don't ever intend to.
5/27/2013 5:13:00 PM EDT
[#4]
I haven't found new factory stuff that met specs.  They have a tendency to shrink instead of stretch.  Although designed to head space on the mouth I find that the extractor is what really holds the case against the bolt face.  I know of no one that trims acp brass.  I suppose in the extreme accuracy games maybe.
5/27/2013 5:33:04 PM EDT
[#5]
Like everyone else, I have never trimmed a .45 acp.
5/27/2013 5:51:05 PM EDT
[#6]
Not needed.
5/27/2013 6:04:28 PM EDT
[#7]
Maximum length  is .898"  I find brass closer to .898" is more accurate than shorter brass. Might be because the 45 acp headspaces on the case mouth. Like the others, i have never trimmed it, but i check it now & then. Lead swc bullets may be seated with a COL  to just touch the rifling. This removes end play. Use only for slow fire Bullseye target shooting @ 50 yds.  
5/27/2013 6:11:59 PM EDT
[#8]
Ive been loading the same .45 acp brass since 1977 and never have trimmed it. Shoot it till you loose it. They can spread one mag of cases out over an entire football field.
5/27/2013 6:13:51 PM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
I have never trimmed a 45ACP case, and don't ever intend to.


Yep.
5/27/2013 6:21:09 PM EDT
[#10]
No need trim pistol brass.
5/27/2013 6:59:13 PM EDT
[#11]
Like its been said, no need.
5/27/2013 7:07:40 PM EDT
[#12]
Thanls everyone for the posiitive replys. I didn`t think it had to be done, but wanted to check & be on the safe side.
5/27/2013 7:28:48 PM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
Hi I`m a rifle reloader, 30-06, 270W, 8mm, & 45-70.  I want to start loading 45 ACP.  So my question is how critical is the case length for the 45`s?


I have a 45ACP case holder for my Wilson case trimmer.  It is about 20 years old and I have used it to trim a total of about 20 cases, 50 max.

It's not a bad idea, it just isn't necessary for most pistol shooting.  Are you a (precision) bullseye pistol shooter?
5/27/2013 7:59:39 PM EDT
[#14]
Some find trimming .45acp necessary when seating/crimping in one step, one stroke of the press. Trimming affords a uniform crimp, something Lee FCD affords without trimming.

Some guys trim, guys who post in this forum because they want to make the very finest in handloads. I've been known to trim some, but not very often and I do seat/crimp with same die, same stroke. I get around trimming by threading seater/crimp die deep enough to cam over press and oal set to top of press stroke. OAL remains consistent but allows me to crimp by "feel", without camming the press over.

Most of us seat in one operation, crimp in another, not trim and still produce ammunition capable of 1" groups at 25 yards. Just because majority voice does something one way doesn't mean everyone is. Quite a few sit threads out like this because descent isn't worth scorn.

I could care less and tell it like it is. Offering up the options in method anytime I can. I'm a student of method, not popular opinion.

dc.
5/27/2013 10:54:36 PM EDT
[#15]
In the thousands and thousands of 45 ACP that I've loaded I have never trimmed one.

Or any other handgun case for that matter.
5/28/2013 3:29:25 AM EDT
[#16]
Quoted:
I have never trimmed a 45ACP case, and don't ever intend to.


This! Been loading .45 acp, 40S&W, 38 spec. for over 25 years - no trimming - range brass included. Have 15 reloads on some of my 45 cases - just toss out the ones with splits.
5/28/2013 5:44:23 AM EDT
[#17]
In 40 years of reloading I've found one 45acp case that was too long and I caught it at the crimp stage.
5/28/2013 10:24:02 AM EDT
[#18]
Out of all the 45 ACP I have loaded, I have found 2 cases that were overlength.



Found them because I gauge every semi auto pistol round I load.



As a normal practice, I don't measure or trim 45 ACP cases.
5/28/2013 10:25:04 AM EDT
[#19]
The only pistol brass I would trim would be my hot .357's with a heavy roll crimp
5/28/2013 1:01:09 PM EDT
[#20]
Its not critical, shoot, reload, shoot, repeat.
5/28/2013 2:27:51 PM EDT
[#21]
Quoted:
I have never trimmed a 45ACP case, and don't ever intend to.


+1
5/28/2013 4:46:05 PM EDT
[#22]
Quoted:
I have never trimmed a 45ACP case, and don't ever intend to.


5/28/2013 7:07:50 PM EDT
[#23]
Quoted:
I have never trimmed a 45ACP case, and don't ever intend to.


+1 - but all match ammo cartridges take a spin through the case gauge.
5/28/2013 7:43:45 PM EDT
[#24]
I have never measured or trimmed 9mm/40/.45. I know it's been many1000's of rounds of each in my 43 years of reloading/shooting. That said, I do sort out by head stamp My particular OCD
5/29/2013 4:08:17 AM EDT
[#25]
I've never trimed pistol  brass the only exception would be bottle necked rounds i.e. 357 sig
5/29/2013 8:42:10 AM EDT
[#26]
Quoted:
I have never measured or trimmed 9mm/40/.45. I know it's been many1000's of rounds of each in my 43 years of reloading/shooting. That said, I do sort out by head stamp My particular OCD


Same... but I've been reloading for only 3-4 years.
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