BennyS
Member
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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Chamfer pistol cases
- Thread starter BennyS
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Bkreutz
US Veteran
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.
OP
BennyS
Member
Thank you, I hate wasting time!
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.
So folks size, trim, chamfer and debur straight cases like 38 , 357, 45 Colt.
Nemo288
Member
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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Nemo
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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Nemo
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.
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.
klausinak
US Veteran
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
Just my .02...
-Klaus
Waywatcher
Member
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.
dickttx
Member
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.
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.
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.
In 40 years of reloading handgun cartridges I've never chamfered a case. Never will. Never been a problem.
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.
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...
m657
Member
OP
BennyS
Member
Thanks everyone for responses and opinions.
I don't load lead bullets so I should be fine just sizing and expanding.
I don't load lead bullets so I should be fine just sizing and expanding.
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.
You will be the only "Auto Trimmer" in the World.
Actually the funnel shaped LEE tool does both. Turn it over and it chamfers.
Lee Chamfer Deburring Tool
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.
