.500 S&W case trimming difficulty

MT Elk Hunter · Aug 12, 2016

New to this forum and believe I correctly initiated this thread yesterday, but can't locate it anywhere. Here it is again.

.500 S&W case trimming difficulty using a Redding #2400 case trimmer. With the proper pilot I can slip a new Hornady case on the pilot, but not my once fired Starline and CBC cases resized with a RCBS sizing die. I am searching for an explanation and solution. I attempted to contact Redding, but they are conducting their annual inventory check until the 15th.

505Gibbs · Aug 12, 2016

I don't know what brand of pilot you have but if its a Forster[for example] I believe you can return it and have them hone the dia down.
An alternative is to trim the fired case[lets say] 0.010 & then resize it.
I believe I've had this but have forgotten the case in question but I just went down to the next closest size & used that pilot.
Its tough when there's nothing close to the 500.
Just my $0.02!

fredj338 · Aug 12, 2016

A resized case is going to be smaller, so depending on your die &/or pilot, you may need to make an adjustment in procedure. Nothing wrong with trimming before sizing, just trim a bit shorter.

Ballistic147 · Aug 12, 2016

I don't reload 500 S&W but I had a similar problem with the 223 pilot that came with my Lyman trimmer. The pilot was really tight and would eventually start galling inside the neck as it heated up which in turn was causing neck tension issues. My solution was to chuck the pilot in a lathe and using 400 grit sandpaper I sanded it down until it fit more loosely in the case. Once I got it sized where I wanted it I polished it using 800g sandpaper. No problems since. If you don't have a lathe a drill press or cordless drill works just as good.

MT Elk Hunter · Aug 12, 2016

Thank you for your prompt replies and excellent recommendations. I'll also call Redding on the 15th about their pilot policy.

505Gibbs · Aug 13, 2016

MT Elk Hunter said:
Thank you for your prompt replies and excellent recommendations. I'll also call Redding on the 15th about their pilot policy.

Since its a Redding - I don't think they will be hard to address the problem at all - good people!!

MT Elk Hunter · Aug 15, 2016

I just spoke with a Redding tech about a sized .500 S&W case not fitting their .50 cal pilot and they gave the same answer frdj338 in an earlier post which is to trim the case before sizing. They added trimming before sizing should not produce a length problem since straight wall cases don't lengthen like a necked and shouldered rifle case.

Nemo288 · Aug 15, 2016

As long as they are all the same length, I would not worry about 1 or 2 thou.
Just don't go over max length.
The main reason, as you probably know, is to crimp uniformly.
As you say, I have not had any cylindrical cases grow much over the years.
The dual carbide Redding size dies reduce this as well and may increase accuracy.
Recommended.
Or you can try neck sizing just the bullet shank area.
Even Starline cases (at least their 445) need a little length trimming.
I usually do it after 1 or 2 firings to get them all ironed out.

.500 S&W case trimming difficulty

MT Elk Hunter

505Gibbs

fredj338

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Ballistic147

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MT Elk Hunter

505Gibbs

MT Elk Hunter

Nemo288

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