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#1: Case trimming Author: Pumpkinslinger, Location: NC foothills

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:49 am
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There was a question asked a while back about case trimming and deburring. I was playing with my camera last weekend and took the pictures below. All of the cases were new and have been run through the sizing die. The left case is just as it came from the factory. The center case has been trimmed to length but not deburred. The right case has had the full treatment, trimmed and deburred.

You can see that the untrimmed case still has a bit of a sharp edge on the inside of the mouth. I've had new brass, untrimmed and not deburred, shave enough jacket, or lead, off of a bullet that I had to pull the bullet and start over. I think the shaved material could have interfered with chambering the round. The trimmed but not deburred brass obviously has sharp edges that would do the same. The deburred brass allows easier bullet seating as well as a more consistent crimp by removing the burrs. Depending on the cartridge you might have to do this once every three to eight times you reload the brass. To me its worth the effort to promote consistency.

#2: Re: Case trimming Author: 204Shooter, Location: Diana, TX

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 12:56 pm
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Pumpkinslinger,
I cut the case length and debur each time I reload the brass. I also polish the brass, including the deburred end, with 000 steel wool. Try spinning the case and polishing it with the steel wool and then take another picture. You will find it to be even smoother than just deburring alone. I use a case holder from Lee Precision and a small drill clamped into a vice to hold and spin the case. I then grab the case with the 000 steel wool. It doesn't take long and the results are worth the small effort.
204

#3: Re: Case trimming Author: Joe Boleo, Location: Pennsylvania

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:05 pm
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I use various Lee Trimmers and and RCBS chamfer and deburring tool as required on all cases whether they are new or used. Take care...
Joe

#4: Re: Case trimming Author: FALPhil, Location: Dixie

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:17 pm
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Joe Boleo wrote:

I use various Lee Trimmers and and RCBS chamfer and deburring tool as required on all cases whether they are new or used.

Ditto.

#5: Re: Case trimming Author: ElyBoy, Location: Forest Lake Minnesota

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 2:36 pm
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The extra time that a guy spends doing a good job at the reloading bench really shows with better results at the range and in the field.
I tumble all of my brass before reloading, and last summer I purchased a RCBS Trim Mate Case Prep Center.
It is worth the money.
It's faster and does a better job than I do by hand.
I still use my Forster Case Trimmers that I have had for over 30yrs.

Eric

#6: Re: Case trimming Author: SwampFox, Location: Destin, Florida

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 2:44 pm
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Tell em Eric..... The RCBS prep center combined with the case trimmer mit motor is the best Christmas gift a reloader can get. The three way cutters are just like the dawn of the modern age for a reloader stuck in the dark ages of hand cranking.
Ed

#7: Re: Case trimming Author: Doublejs, Location: SW Pennsylvania

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 5:29 pm
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I even go one step further, I took a 3/4 inch copper cap for plumbing and filled it full of steel wool. Then I soddered it to copper round stock and threaded it to fit on my RCBS case trimmer. After I trim and debur; I put the case on the steel wool to completely remove burs and polish it.

It only takes a couple seconds and I have pulled bullets in the past with no scratches on them at all.

#8: Re: Case trimming Author: ElyBoy, Location: Forest Lake Minnesota

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 6:21 pm
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Great idea Double Man.
I'm going to do the same in the morning.

Great Idea. Very Happy

Eric

#9: Re: Case trimming Author: twofifty, Location: BC Rockies

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 9:48 pm
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doublejs, the RCBS case prep centre you posted a pic of, does it power spin all of the tool stations, or exclusively the two upper ones?

#10: Re: Case trimming Author: Doublejs, Location: SW Pennsylvania

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 6:30 am
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It spins only the bottom five (5), the top two brushes are stationary. I just put the brushes there to clean out the necks of the brass.

#11: Re: Case trimming Author: ElyBoy, Location: Forest Lake Minnesota

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:54 am
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Your idea on the top left station is much better than the plastic container of goop that RCBS has, Double.
I use the primer reamer all of the time on the unit also.
If a primer goes in tight on my Lee Classic Turret Press, I just ream it out and have no problems after that.

Eric

#12: Re: Case trimming Author: Pumpkinslinger, Location: NC foothills

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 5:44 pm
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I guess I should have mentioned that the cases in my pic still have the sizing lube on them, which caused some brass shavings, etc. to stick to them.

#13: Re: Case trimming Author: woods,

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 8:41 pm
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Hey guys, I guess I am the one weirdo that uses the Lee Zip Trim. To clean the inside of the neck, remove the burrs and scratches I use a 22 caliber bronze brush with steel wool wrapped around it

A few spins and it cleans it down to the bare brass the entire length of the neck

This is after trimming with the Lee Case Length Gage and ball cutter and chamfering in and out.

#14: Re: Case trimming Author: Pumpkinslinger, Location: NC foothills

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:31 pm
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Has anyone measured to see if they are removing much brass using steel wool on cases?

#15: Re: Case trimming Author: woods,

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 8:17 am
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I monitor my 280AI neck thickness religiously and have never found it to be reduced. After neck turning for the original thickness needed it stays the same, at least through the 7th loading which some of my brass is on now.

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