Purchased some brand new Starline brass 38 Spl +P cases. Would you trim/chamfer them before loading?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Size and flare

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Len

Should be just fine without trimming/chamfering.
Jim

I always lightly de-burr/chamfer virgin brass, no harm and it's a one time deal

If you plan on shooting your reloaded ammunition in competition then it's another step in your reloading that should be considered along with weighing each of the cases,bullets and powder drops.

Special competition dies may be in order also.

If you're just going to shoot for your personal joy and satisfaction I'd skip the pistol case trimming.

Cases for semi autos that head space off the front of the case may require trimming if chambering issues arise.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

They're probably fine as is. *I* would still check the case length before the first loading but evidently I'm the outlier.

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Just Say No - To Social Media

Thanks all!

I've never bought new virgin 38spl or 45acp since there's an overabundance of once fired,range pick ups and bulk used but have bought lots of 45 Auto Rim,44 Special,44 Magnum and 45 Colt since these are seldom found once fired or range pick ups.

I never trimmed any of them.

I always checked and trimmed rifle brass

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

Not pistol brass, but I do size, de-burr all rifle brass before the first loading.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I would measure the cases to verify they were within specification and if so, just chamfer and debur them and proceed.

Straight-wall pistol cases don't stretch very much on each firing so if the brass starts out all at about the same length and all within specification you will probably not have to worry about trimming them before their necks start to split (which is the time to retire them, if not before).

Simply put...
You need to trim all brass that is TOO LONG.

Brass too short.....well then.... trimming is a moot point.

Run your brass through locked calipers set at max case length, and see if any don't fit.

Nobody out here on the interweb can tell you the length of the brass you purchased.

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I'd like to agree with you BUT

Chamfering should be routine on new brass. I am thinking of trimming as a separate question, probably less important on 38 Special than 357 magnum, where quality of the crimp really matters.

What forestswim said x 2. If the brass is too long then it should be trimmed. If the lengths are all over the place then you can trim so they are all the same length.

If the brass is in spec and consistent then trimming is a waste of time.

For handgun ammunition, very few trim new or fired brass. Many, if not all, precision rifle shooters religiously keep all their brass trimmed to the same length. The other thing most of them do is to determine by testing the optimum COAL for every bullet type and weight they use. And it does make a difference in grouping performance.

...just do it once. I seriously doubt that you would see any improvement at all. IF you seat and roll crimp in one operation, having consistent lengths keeps the crimp uniform.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

My experience with brand-new Starline brass is extensive. Don't bother with trimming BUT, a light inside/outside chamfer to clean up manufacturing burrs is worthwhile. It only needs to be done once before loading new Starline.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

Thank you everyone

I do rifle, never on regular pistol brass. I will carefully check 357 Sig brass before I load it. Never had to chamfer or trim them yet..

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NRA Benefactor

Absolutely, All new brass I resize, and trim / prep. Why wouldn't you? We're supposed to enjoy reloading aren't we? Truth be told, I size and trim all brass until they stop growing...pistol brass usually slows down after 3 firings but I still check it and will trim if it's over .002 in length. Cmon, it's fun....it's why we reload. OP, I'm not saying this is you at all but...some people try to skip so many stages of reloading that you wonder if they even like reloading at all. Time at the reloading bench is never wasted time, it should be enjoyed and looked forward to.

I do enjoy reloading. Very relaxing. Not saying this about you at all but some people do have a life after reloading..

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NRA Benefactor

Besides trimming, chamfering and deburing be sure to
de burr the flash hole, uniform the primer pockets, weigh each case, measure the H2O volume and separate them accordingly.

Then polish each case in a wet tumble cleaner, dry at 200 degrees in a special brass dryer

Can never be to obsessive with Starline brass.

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Still Running Against the Wind

I don't prep straight walled pistol brass. I have found that a good spray case lube really helps to size the new brass, even when using carbide dies. Trimming and chamfering won't hurt. I just find it a waste of time. If you use high quality bullets, drop accurate powder charges (appropriate powder and charge) and seat the primers consistently, shoot the ammo out of a quality handgun and have a humanoid that can perform marksmanship fundamentals, the rounds will go where they are supposed to out to at least 50 yards.

.....and then test fire at 7 yards, one handed

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I'd like to agree with you BUT