Trimming revolver brass

[RobertTaylor]

Is it best to trim before or after sizing? I've always trimmed rifle brass after sizing, never really bother trimming anything else, it never really needed it.
Decided to get all my 45 colt trimmed to the exact same length. After sizing, measures .447" to .449" at the very end, depending on what brand brass.
Use a forster trimmer, the 45 colt pilot measures .448"

Its not usable after sizing the brass. It destroys the inside of the brass where the pilot spins while trimming. Any suggestions?

 

[boatbum101]

Polish the pilot down with emery cloth . Chuck it up in a cordless drill / screwdriver & polish away . Shouldn't take long to remove a few thousandths . Only time I've ever trimmed straight-walled handgun cases was for a S&W Model 52 38 Special Target Semi-auto . Trimmed all cases to 1.145" so I could get a consistent taper crimp . Taper crimping reduced 50yd groups over roll crimped . Granted these are HBWC target loads running 700 - 750fps .

 

[Bowhntr6pt]

Have you considered a Lee Factory Crimp Die?

I've never trimmed pistol brass.

 

[RobertTaylor]

Have you considered a Lee Factory Crimp Die?

I've never trimmed pistol brass.

I use one, I just have a handful of winchester brass that's actually quite a but longer than it should be. I was considering taking a little off before sizing, then seeing what the difference would be after sizing.

 

[oneshot]

Unless you are going to shoot bullseye match , just load it and an shoot it don't worry about 2 ths. Just my 25 cents jj matter of fact I wouldn't about it if I was going to be shooting matches'

 

[BluesBrother]

I've never trimmed pistol brass either. It might sound a little OCD, okay maybe a lot OCD. I load in batches. I check for weakened cases before and after cleaning. If one case shows cracks or splits I dump the entire batch. The batch has all been shot the same amount with the same charge. It won't be long before more cases fail.

 

[Bullet Splatter]

Only pistol brass I ever trimmed was .357, just to make sure the crimp was uniform when loading closer to max pressures. Giraud trimmer made quick work of it though.

 

[Jester896]

I use the Lee when I have to do it

Lee Precision, Inc.. Cutter & Lock Stud

Use the Lee Cutter and Lock Stud with the Case Length Gauge & Shell Holder to trim cases. Can be used by hand or with an electric drill. Works on all brass less than .475 base diameter. If you are looking for trimming cases with a base diameter larger than .

leeprecision.com

Lee Precision, Inc.. Holder

Case Length Gauge

leeprecision.com

$15
When I size they are still lubed when I trim. You may be able to push it or spring the case enough to get your pilot inside of the case. Your going to bell it so if it changes the mouth a little it shouldn't hurt anything.

You may be able to put something in between the pilot and cutter to keep it off the cutter and turn the crank with a diamond file or something to take the .001 off. Should go pretty quick.

or clamp the pilot stud in the drill turning slow and touch it a couple of times

 

[BluesBrother]

You might be interested in trying for yourself.​

Lee .357 Magnum Quick Trim Die​

 

[brasshog]

Are you trimming for accuracy ? I would put some jewelers rouge on a rag or patch and chuck in a cordless to start. Then lube it using a patch soaked in lanolin every few cases. Lastly, consider using an M die to expand the case .002" over bore diameter instead of flaring the case to get proper neck tension followed by a repeatable crimp.