Armory Sponsor
Posted: 1/1/2014 6:30:29 PM EDT
|
I have a bunch of handgun brass that is ready to be loaded. Do I have to check the length of the cases like they do for rifle cases? Also, I tumbled the brass and then decapped. Do I need to do anything else to the primer pocket besides make sure there is nothing in there? Thanks. |
|
Quoted:
I have a bunch of handgun brass that is ready to be loaded. Do I have to check the length of the cases like they do for rifle cases? Also, I tumbled the brass and then decapped. Do I need to do anything else to the primer pocket besides make sure there is nothing in there? Thanks. No and no. The only reason you would need to check he size is if you have trouble clambering a round, which would indicate the brass is hitting the lands/grooves and is too long. In my opinion the brass will be worn out before that ever happens... I've never checked the size of my pistol brass ever. You can get a primer pocket cleaner if you want, but I never have cleaned my pistol plinking brass. I wet tumble after I resize if I want them to look really nice and that cleans the primer pocket for you. This is not needed though and purely cosmetic. |
|
What kind of pistol brass? Semi auto round or revolver? I always trim revolver cases the first time I load them. They are never the same length. Semi auto don't need trimming as they are normally below trim to length and don't grow. Primer pockets, again what kind of pistol brass? You may run into crimped primer pockets with semi auto cases.
|
| Most auto pistols cases do not require trimming. Magnum revolver cartridges will need trimming due to stretched length from roll crimping. 38 Special might need trimming but can often get away without it in a 357 cylinder. The taper crimp on auto pistol cases usually doesn't cause the cases to stretch. Often they are shortened from diameter expansion after firing before sizing. Sizing usually just brings them back to standard length. |
|
As others have mentioned the type of brass does matter. If I was reloading 357 sig or 5.57x28 I WOULD trim because they have shoulders. The act of the shoulder expanding and you resizing it is what causes the cases to grow in rifle cases. If you pistol cases have a shoulder I WOULD trim them at least every couple of firings.
Based on the ones you listed though, I wouldn't worry about it unless you need to crimp (as dryflash pointed out). |
|
Quoted: I just found one! Why did they do that? Quoted: Quoted: Check your 45 brass for primer pocket size. SPP .45 brass is becoming more prevalent. I load mostly SPP and store LPP until I have enough to trade or justify loading it. I just found one! Why did they do that? Just another something to look for.
|
|
Quoted:
I just found one! Why did they do that? Quoted:
Quoted:
Check your 45 brass for primer pocket size. SPP .45 brass is becoming more prevalent. I load mostly SPP and store LPP until I have enough to trade or justify loading it. I just found one! Why did they do that? Yeah. Wait until you mistakenly try to seat a large primer in a small pocket and blow it up. I almost pissed my pants! I bought a fire extinguisher after that and mounted it to my bench! |
|
Quoted:
I just found one! Why did they do that? Quoted:
Quoted:
Check your 45 brass for primer pocket size. SPP .45 brass is becoming more prevalent. I load mostly SPP and store LPP until I have enough to trade or justify loading it. I just found one! Why did they do that? Maybe they were tired of using two different primers for everything. I separate the SPP brass and use it when I won't be able to pick up my brass. |
Armory Sponsor
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.