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Old 04-08-2014, 04:24 PM
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Default Chamfer pistol cases

Is it a problem or no no to size and chamfer pistol brass( 45ACP, 9mm) than run them through the expander die?
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Old 04-08-2014, 04:49 PM
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There is absolutely no need to chamfer (or deburr) 9mm or .45acp brass. Just size, then expand, insert primer, add powder, and seat/crimp. Crimping is really just removing the "flare" from the expander step.
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Old 04-08-2014, 04:50 PM
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Originally Posted by BennyS View Post
Is it a problem or no no to size and chamfer pistol brass( 45ACP, 9mm) than run them through the expander die?
You can if you want to, personally I think it's a waste of time and effort. I load over 50K per year and never do. It won't hurt anything.
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Old 04-08-2014, 04:51 PM
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Thank you, I hate wasting time!
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Old 04-08-2014, 05:05 PM
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A waste of time, but if you are going to do it, do so after resizing the case not before.

So folks size, trim, chamfer and debur straight cases like 38 , 357, 45 Colt.
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Old 04-08-2014, 05:44 PM
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I only chamfer and deburr cases that are going to have cast bullets in them.
The acts of sizing, belling, crimping and firing will smooth out the mouth "naturally" along the way.
Length trimming (and then a slight deburr) is much more important IMHO.

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Old 04-08-2014, 06:23 PM
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BennyS, I don't consider it a waste of time.

I resize all handgun cases, general after or before resizing, it makes no difference. It removes the sharp edge and helps prevent lead/copper shaving when seating the bullet. After they been flared, it will be harder to get a good chamfer in the mouth edges.

Chamfering also helps remove tiny nicks and such that can lead to mouth cracks. Ask any good machinist why they chamfer holes after they've been drilled. Ever seen cracks extending from one rivet to another? And where do the majority of cases crack? From the mouth down.
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Old 04-08-2014, 06:52 PM
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If I trim it, I chamfer it. Generally I don't trim any auto cases, unless I'm really bored or the winter is exceptionally long. Revolver cases get trimmed once & chamfer/deburr.

Just my .02...

-Klaus
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Old 04-08-2014, 07:38 PM
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The only handgun brass I have ever trimmed/chamfered/deburred is my .44 special brass for my .44 special Blackhawk. I only did it so the brass was consistent. It's not really necessary.
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Old 04-09-2014, 08:45 AM
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BennyS, was your question about whether or not to expand and flare the case?
With jacketed bullets and a chamfer you probably wouldn't need to.
If you can seat the bullet without collapsing the case you are OK.
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Old 04-09-2014, 03:07 PM
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Instructions with my Lee dies warn against chamfering any cases. The de-burring tool is for de-burring not chamfering. Chamfering weakens the case mouth causing premature splitting at the case mouth. The flairing tool, if properly used, will prevent peeling lead or copper from bullets.
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Old 04-09-2014, 03:42 PM
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In 40 years of reloading handgun cartridges I've never chamfered a case. Never will. Never been a problem.
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Old 04-09-2014, 05:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gboling View Post
Instructions with my Lee dies warn against chamfering any cases. The de-burring tool is for de-burring not chamfering. Chamfering weakens the case mouth causing premature splitting at the case mouth. The flairing tool, if properly used, will prevent peeling lead or copper from bullets.
With close to 40 years of reloading behind me, all I can say is chamfering both rifle and handguns case has worked for me, and a split case mouth is a rarity. I suppose one could chamfer a case mouth to nothingness and make it split, but it hasn't happened to me.

Make your own choice, it's your cases. I know what works for me.
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Old 04-09-2014, 06:26 PM
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As a rule l dont chamfer, but the other day l was loading some 44 Speer 240gr lead swc bullets.. l noticed a bit of lead shaving during seating them..So l got my RCBS deburring tool out and gave each case a couple of spins..Problem solved.. No more lead shaving...
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Old 04-09-2014, 06:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike, SC Hunter View Post
In 40 years of reloading handgun cartridges I've never chamfered a case. Never will. Never been a problem.

This has been my experience too.
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Old 04-09-2014, 09:58 PM
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Thanks everyone for responses and opinions.
I don't load lead bullets so I should be fine just sizing and expanding.
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Old 04-09-2014, 10:34 PM
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In pursuit of un-needed perfection, trim if you must but do not chamfer the inside of the case mouth.

You will be the only "Auto Trimmer" in the World.
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Old 04-10-2014, 12:21 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gboling View Post
Instructions with my Lee dies warn against chamfering any cases. The de-burring tool is for de-burring not chamfering. Chamfering weakens the case mouth causing premature splitting at the case mouth. The flairing tool, if properly used, will prevent peeling lead or copper from bullets.
Actually the funnel shaped LEE tool does both. Turn it over and it chamfers.

Lee Chamfer Deburring Tool
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Old 04-10-2014, 03:51 PM
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Trim if necessary and deburr. I do this after resizing. With those itty bitty 380 ACP's, I try even harder and not cross the line from deburr to chamfer.
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