Trimming 45 ACP brass

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HEAD0001

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Normally for years I just bought cheap 45 ACP ammo to shoot for fun. However that ammo has gotten ridiculously priced. So I decided to start casting and reloading my own 45 ACP.

I have heard a lot of different things about trimming 45 ACP. So I am just interested in any comments anyone might have about trimming or crimping 45 ACP brass. Thanks, Tom.
 
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If you don't trim the brass then how do you put a consistent crimp on cases that are different lengths?? Adjust the die on every load?? Tom.
 
45acp brass just doesn't stretch much if at all. I have some cases that have been loaded well over 15X, they are all within a couple 2/1000 of each other, doesnt' affect taper crimp at all. I have never trimm4ed a service pistol case, never. I do trim magnum rev cases, they do stretch quite a bit w/ full power loads & the roll crimp is less tolerant of longer cases.
 
No need to trim .45 acp, usually it gets shorter, not longer. Once bought a Lee trimmer and the set up for the .45, tried to trim some and almost all of them where shorter than the set trim insert. Figured out it was a waste of time and haven't trimmed any in the last 25 years.
 
I understand that you need to do a taper crimp. I bought a Redding Taper crimp die.

I measured some brass that I sized and cleaned. Most of it measures .890. Almost 75% of it has that measurement. But the rest measures basically two other lengths. The one length is .893, and the other length is .885. So there is .08" difference between the two. I doubt if the actual crimp will be .008 long?? So the shorter cases would not receive any crimp what so ever if I set it up for the .893's?? And if I set the crimp die up for the .890 then I am assuming(have not done it yet) if it was set for .890 that it would crush the .893's?? But I do not know that for sure. I will have to try it first.

I am sure a taper crimp will not be as critical as a roll crimp. But there is a big difference between .893 and .885??

I believe actual recommended trim lentgth is .889 ?????? And max length is .899 ??????


Probably best if I just get in there and crimp a few and find out for myself. I just thought I would ask the question. However I have to get down to the garage and get some 230 grain round nosed bullets cast first!! :) Tom.


IMG_0623.jpg
 
I have been reloading 45acp for 40 years and haven't trimmed one yet. As someone else stated, I bought a trimmer, but none of the cases were long enough to cut back.
 
I would not base the variance on one case that was .885. Who knows where or how that occurred. I am assuming it was a once or more fired case. The others that are .003 ( 3 thousands) difference is so tiny it makes no difference especially on a taper and not even on a roll crimp.Open your calipers to .003 it's not even visible, maybe a thin sheet of paper.

As mentioned, I reload every handgun caliber and never trimmed a case except once (the only new brass I bought) some 45 Colt. After sizing them I spent a lot of time trimming basically nothing.

This is about case max spec length, not trim to length as listed in manuals. I honestly do not know why they do that?? So if someone knows, please chime in.
 
Trimming 45ACP brass

Trimming 45ACP brass?
I have been reloading for over 50 years.
...got my first 45 ACP in 1967 and HAVE NEVER TRIMMED
45 acp brass.
 
In 25+ yrs. of reloading .45 acp I have never found the need to trim them. I also do not trim 9mm or any "Special" cases(.38, .44 etc.) either.

I am a reloading FREAK when it comes to rifle calibers and own several trimmers of different manufactures. Believe me if I thought for a moment that my .45ACP would benefit from trimming I would be doing it, I don't.

I do applaud your asking though, Reloading is not something to take lightly. Serious injury can and does result from lack of understanding or knowledge. If you wonder if something should be done or done differently it is best to ask, No question regarding reloading is dumb, Not asking is.
 
I've loaded the .45 ACP for about 40 years. Never had a case grow long enough to need trimming. Some practice cases have had well over 20 ejector "dings" on them before I traded them away.

In a semi-auto, your taper crimp die will be perfection compared to a roll crimp die. For lead bullets, I taper crimp to .469" +/- .0005. Function is 100% in stock spec chambers as well as tight custom match ones.

There is something to be said for roll crimping in hot-loaded.45 ACP's to be fired in revolvers. I do not find it necessary though for standard velocity; taper crimp works fine there.

In certain straight wall case handguns, it is beneficial to trim cases. I'll trim for .38 HBWC 148 gr seated flush with the case mouth. Ditto for .357 mag cases used with jacketed bullets in full magnum loadings.
 
You guys make me feel like an idiot. I have been reloading for over 30 years. And trimming has always been a part of the reloading process for me.

I guess I will just jump in and reload the cases I have ready to load. I just have a hard time believing that my crimp will not be different on cases that are as much as .008 different in length??

Heck I have never allowed that much difference in case length in cartridges that I do not even crimp!! Oh well. Tom.
 
HEAD0001 said:
. . .

I guess I will just jump in and reload the cases I have ready to load. I just have a hard time believing that my crimp will not be different on cases that are as much as .008 different in length??

. . .
Click to expand...

Taper crimp is much more forgiving to case overall length vs. a roll crimp.
 
nothing the matter with the question. Trimmed a small batch of 45 acp brass once, even leveled out the primer pockets. It only made a difference in a match pistol, and not worth the effort.

Some 45 acp cases can be significantly shorter than others (commercial Rem as example), at least last time i checked. I sort all my remingtons out of range pickups, and load them seperate. A Lee factory crimp die can be useful for ensuring all the mixed lenght cases get crimped, as it doesn't buckle the longer cases as easily as a standard taper crimp die.

45 acp cases do get shorter over time, from the firing/resizing process. Eventually there may be a detectable "buldge" below where the sizing die resizes.
 
I just load my 45 ACP's until either the primers seat too loose or they crack. Of the couple of 5 gallon buckets of 45 brass that I have one has never been trimmed. They are fired in 1911's, S&W 3rd Gens and a 625 with moon clips. Never sort them either. The only cases I trim are bottle neck rifle brass and .30 Carbine.
 
I shoot a revolver and use roll crimps. I trim 45 ACP cases when I acquire them. I don't trim them after that.
 
Could this be an issue in a .45 ACP revolver when you aren't using moon clips? Wouldn't they have to be near perfect for length since they seat on a rim in the cylinder and the firing pin can only move so far?
 
I try to produce the best ammo that I can, therefore, I trim every caliber including 45 ACP. I believe that it does make a difference in accuracy and consistency.

Always heard that it's not necessary, but I still carry it on....I also sort all of my cases and only load a specific brand, sell or give away any others.

My 2¢ anyway.
 
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