38 Special Case Length

[mikld]

May not be a popular notion around here, but in my experience, case length and roll crimping are much over thought. A roll crimp is very "forgiving" and .010" variations in case length won't make any difference in applied crimp. No change in accuracy and although there may be a slight change in velocity, it's insignificant...

 

[Nevada Ed]

I have been going to get a 9mm and 38 cal. trimmer for my Forester for almost ten years now..................I looked up the part numbers and everything.


The only problem is my cases either split, crack or get lost before they are long enough to trim.

 

[Jellybean]

... A roll crimp is very "forgiving" and .010" variations in case length won't make any difference in applied crimp. No change in accuracy and although there may be a slight change in velocity, it's insignificant...

I agree with this 100%...for 70-80% of the shooters.

 

[bananaman]

Considering I have never ever trimmed a .38 Special case you can guess I think it means nothing. Two Tenths might mean something but two Thousands means nothing in case length.

I don't even think the human eye can see that small a difference.

I also, have never trimmed a case in .38's, or any other caliber. Never had any issues. Bob

 

[FloridaFlier]

Never, never ever trimmed a .38 Special case. Don't even own a case trimmer. Don't see a need for one. You're worried about nothing. IF it got to the point that the crimp was off, then yes. BUT, at .002", that's not going to happen.

 

[rwsmith]

Drill press set up

I've got a lee trimmer set up on my drill press that only takes a few seconds to trim a case (and it's really cheap). With bottleneck cartridges it's a necessity. Because of the ease of using it I have trimmed some straight pistol cases, but I thought it was guilding the lilly.

PS The only reason I do this is mixed brass.

 

[Moe Mentum]

No need to trim a straight wall case. Just a waste of time and effort.

 

[SMSgt]

The only time I trim handgun cases is when I convert 9x19 (Luger) to 9x18 (9mm Makarov).

 

[bedbugbilly]

All I use is "range brass" - 1X fired or who knows how many times. I don't trim it, I just load it and use a moderate roll crimp. I'm loading bullets that I have cast myself - RN, WC, SWC. Never been an issue

I use both brass and nickel - I prefer nickel, especially when loading place powder 38 spl. - it's easier to clean up - and it looks "party". LOL

I do have some new Star Line and Winchester brass sitting on the shelf but I probably will never break into it unless I should run short of range brass. In the case of using "new virgin brass" - I'd check them for OAL. I've never checked mine but I have heard from others that they have had to trim to length at times.

As an added note - if you do run across some that need to be trimmed due to small split, etc. - you can trim them back to 38 Colt Long length and load them using data for the 38 Colt Long. The 38 Colt Long was the "parent cartridge" for the 38 Special. Only difference is that it is shorter than the 38 Spl and thus, you'd want to use loading data for that cartridge as smaller case volume = increased pressure. They can be fired out of your 38 Spl.. - no problem. The same as 38 Spl. can be fired in a .357.

 

[mikld]

I don't trim my handgun cases, but, if one wants to, there is no reason why he shouldn't. There are reloaders who reform primer pockets, some may de-burr flash holes, some weigh each and every case, some sort by headstamp, others may trim their handgun brass, and some go to great lengths to polish their brass to mirror finishes. I don't, but I don't consider any reloading actions a waste of time.

For me and many other reloaders this is a hobby in connection to our shooting, not up for group approval, it's our ammo! If a feller wanted to paint his cases ti--y pink, it's OK by me...

 

[jibjab]

I have 38spl brass once fired factory stuff that measured 1.157" after sizing, I also have once fired factory 38 spl brass that measured 1.142" after sizing. So how would I achieve a consistent crimp with out trimming?

 

[Black_Talon]

I have 38spl brass once fired factory stuff that measured 1.157" after sizing, I also have once fired factory 38 spl brass that measured 1.142" after sizing. So how would I achieve a consistent crimp with out trimming?

You absolutely won't. That's exactly why I trim my revolver brass to a consistent length. 1.145" for 38 spl.

 

[jibjab]

"You absolutely won't"
That's what I figure, if I need a heavy crimp for 38spl as to help a slower powder burn more efficiently the case length must be close. And then there is the out of square case mouth thing.
I find the same thing with .357 mag. but crimp is even more important. I use RCBS 38spl/357 mag dies which comes with a washer that measures about .125" kinda cool if I trim my brass accordingly I have minimum adjustment between loading these two cartridges.