Short Brass
- Thread starter mr.pepper
- Start date
To answer your question absolutely, in revolvers the only issue with undersized brass would be that short brass can act like a bullet seated too deep and raise pressures.
As long as your loads are not at the top of the pressure limits you should be fine, if it were me I would load some starting velocity loads and work back to your usual load.
As long as your loads are not at the top of the pressure limits you should be fine, if it were me I would load some starting velocity loads and work back to your usual load.
contender
Ruger Guru
Welcome to the Forum!
My first question would be "Why would you trim them too short?" Then,, remembering that I have accidentily done it a few times,, I thought this might be the reason for the question.
Rock has given you an excellent answer. If you are not into loudenkickinboomer loads that turnthewristbackwards then you should be ok.
My first question would be "Why would you trim them too short?" Then,, remembering that I have accidentily done it a few times,, I thought this might be the reason for the question.
Rock has given you an excellent answer. If you are not into loudenkickinboomer loads that turnthewristbackwards then you should be ok.
Rick Courtright
Hawkeye
Hi, and welcome!
Haven't found any revolver brass that's "under length" that I can recall, but I've scrounged gobs of 9mm that's a few thousandths under. Doesn't seem to be a problem when I load it, and it's a "reasonably" hi-pressure round.
But I avoid the "stuff it full and then add some" mentality already cautioned about, and agree that approach should be ok w/ your .480s. "Start low, work up" is a time honored procedure... ;)
You may also be able to "adjust" the case capacity on the "shorties" by seating your bullets an appropriate amount further out to preserve the "proper" case volume.
Rick C
Haven't found any revolver brass that's "under length" that I can recall, but I've scrounged gobs of 9mm that's a few thousandths under. Doesn't seem to be a problem when I load it, and it's a "reasonably" hi-pressure round.
But I avoid the "stuff it full and then add some" mentality already cautioned about, and agree that approach should be ok w/ your .480s. "Start low, work up" is a time honored procedure... ;)
You may also be able to "adjust" the case capacity on the "shorties" by seating your bullets an appropriate amount further out to preserve the "proper" case volume.
Rick C
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
I think .005"-.010" on that big .480 case will not make very much difference. It is sometimes easy to adjust the bullet to still give you the correct COL. The crimp groove on the bullet is probably much wider than that.
I shoot factory ammo and then reload the brass (.44 & 357 mostly) and I have found some brands are always shorter and some longer. I always trim the long ones and sort the brass by manufacturer before re-loading. You can't be too careful. :D
...Jimbo
I shoot factory ammo and then reload the brass (.44 & 357 mostly) and I have found some brands are always shorter and some longer. I always trim the long ones and sort the brass by manufacturer before re-loading. You can't be too careful. :D
...Jimbo
COR
Blackhawk
You have to TRIM revolver brass???? Huh..... :wink:
tek4260
Buckeye
Of course it may be that Hornady lever evolution stuff that is short for some reason.
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
I check it the first time before reloading because case length determines how consistent your crimp is going to be. Same reason I sort cases. :DCOR said:
...jimbo
Man, this is probably why I get 1.5" groups at 100 yards instead of 1/2" groups... I don't sort my brass! Shucks.... That's "tongue in cheek" talk if you don't recognize it! I don't shoot well enough for sorting to matter...
COR
Blackhawk
shhhh...nobody really does that, at least not anyone who has compared the actual difference in revolver accuracy. I just don't want to ruin Jimbo's day.
I just don't feel the gains achieved justify the time and effort. I like shooting but sometimes reloading is a chore enough. No offense to anyone who has but I quit doing it out of shear laziness mostly and very minimal return on a gun that just has to shoot minute of bear or deer or elk.
The Hornady brass is trimmed for functioning properly in the 45-70 Lever Evolution series and can be reloaded for a single shot with no crimp. They are at least 1/10th of an inch short.
I just don't feel the gains achieved justify the time and effort. I like shooting but sometimes reloading is a chore enough. No offense to anyone who has but I quit doing it out of shear laziness mostly and very minimal return on a gun that just has to shoot minute of bear or deer or elk.
The Hornady brass is trimmed for functioning properly in the 45-70 Lever Evolution series and can be reloaded for a single shot with no crimp. They are at least 1/10th of an inch short.
tek4260
Buckeye
The Hornady 45 Colt brass that I have is short as well
COR
Blackhawk
Hey Tek....You should be hung by your toenails for shooting those plastic pointy bullets in a 45 Colt... blasphemous
Just for that you deserve a cylinder ring.
Just for that you deserve a cylinder ring.
tek4260
Buckeye
:) dont shoot that stuff. 3 rounds of the stuff was mixed in with some once fired I bought on castboolits.
My 45's have never seen jacketed
My 45's have never seen jacketed
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
COR said:
So I'm just wondering? If you want to make-up 50 hunting rounds with a max load of H-110, do you not care about the differences in the crimps, or the thickness of the brass, or the differences in the case volume. You are just so lazy that you put the powder in, (why bother to weigh it) and the bullet in any old case, and squish it somewhat, and say it's good? Wow, I just can't do that, even with moderate loads. :? :?
...Jimbo
Rick Courtright
Hawkeye
COR said:
Hi,
"Nobody" checking in here... ;)
One of the great things about reloading is there are usually several ways to do most operations, and each of us develops our own "style" over time, based on our individual needs and desires.
Some folks need only to load for "minute of Bambi" and eat well as a result, while others are horrified cuz they didn't get all the holes to touch on a piece of paper, allowing someone else to take the trophy that week. Rifles, pistols, shotguns: they all follow the pattern.
"Best" is a relative term. Pick the way that works for you... it ain't gonna ruin someone else's day!
Rick C
Yosemite Sam
Hunter
It is my understanding that rifle brass tends to flow and "grow" more, due to the pressures involved.
In the benchrest book I read before getting into reloading, the author recommended trimming rifle brass back .010" from spec, as it will grow with use, and this will let you get away with trimming it less. It can also help with headspacing, bullet seating, and a number of other pieces of BR esoterica.
I've never even considered it with revolver rounds. In fact, I've never trimmed any of my handgun brass, though I just started loading for my first semi auto (.45 ACP).
-- Sam
In the benchrest book I read before getting into reloading, the author recommended trimming rifle brass back .010" from spec, as it will grow with use, and this will let you get away with trimming it less. It can also help with headspacing, bullet seating, and a number of other pieces of BR esoterica.
I've never even considered it with revolver rounds. In fact, I've never trimmed any of my handgun brass, though I just started loading for my first semi auto (.45 ACP).
-- Sam
COR
Blackhawk
Jimbo357mag said:
Hell yeah I just toss it in and shoot away! Yeah that is exactly what I do Jimbo. Gas on it!
I shoot a 260gr bullet at 1200fps. I don't use a max charge of anything. I'll put my lazy loads up against yours any day and I'll even let you shoot 'em (IF U DARE!).
OK I am being a bit of a hypocrite here as I used to do the same as you .... For a BR Rifle, fine, I get it...For a revolver cartridge I have seen no difference and yes I have compared because I get a little data crazy at times. One of my go to deer loads for a while was the 240XTP in front of a bunch of W296 it was a grain over the book max but it performed very well for me, it loved a good crimp. I was told the same as you are and I tried it, NO DIFFERENCE between trimming , in accuracy or velocity. A silhouette shooter convinced me, and he can shoot a lot better than me.
COR
Blackhawk
tek4260 said:
Outstanding!
I too, have seen the cast bullet light. I like casting, great therapy (reloading just bores me). I don't tinker as much as I did before and I just stick with what works I need a progressive most likely....but I digress
I had issues with some 45-70 brass that was too short, I left 'em uncrimped and gave them to a friend with a single shot. They are significantly shorter the crimp die never touched them on the normal setting.
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
Glad we can joke about technique a little. I load a lot of copper plated bullets and they require some attention to the crimp and because of that consistent case length is important. OK on the shoot-out, middle of August, 44's or 45's, offhand at 25 yards. Remind me. :D :DCOR said:
...Jimbo
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