reloading 45 acp brass

[lennylenard]

I have a ton of 45 acp brass that I have picked up at the range. Most measure 0.888 but some are as long as 0.950 in length! Should they be trimmed? I have never trimmed pistol brass but now I am beginning to wonder. Would like to get some feedback. I also sort based on head
stamp and most of these are either Winchester or Federal brass.

thank-you

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I've never trimmed ANY pistol or revolver brass ever! Been reloading since 1972..............

 

[rockquarry]

I don't mix brass either and almost always use Winchester .45 ACP as it seems to last just about forever. I've loaded the .45 ACP for decades and don't know if I've ever measured brass length. Book says max. is .898". I would guess .45 barrels have generous chamber dimensions, but max. chamber length is supposed to be .920" if I read the specs correctly in the NRA handloading book.

 

[g8rb8]

Personally, I would not worry about trimming the .45 acp brass and the general answer from other members regarding this question typically seems to be to not worry about trimming pistol brass.

 

[lennylenard]

Thank-you-sound reasonable.

 

[Tyrod]

In a revolver I'd imagine the case length would be mostly unimportant. In an auto loader, it can be very important. For instance, in a 1911 style pistol, the loaded round is supposed to head space on the case mouth. Maximum functionality and accuracy is achieved by doing so. However, in nearly every case, head space is achieved with the extractor.

 

[4barrel]

Two different primer sizes and 3 primer hole sizes. The load and gun is a +. Shooter is 90%.

 

[Jdavis]

Get yourself a Wilson "go-no go" gauge. On any rimless cartridge the case headspaces on the case mouth not the rim. Therefore case length is an important consideration. Case length also has an effect on overall cartridge length which determines if your loaded round will chamber. Accuracy is also improved by consistent case length.

 

[Farmboy]

I have loaded 10's of thousands of .45. Never trimmed. regardless of what the book says almost if not all .45's headspace on the extractor in a 1911.

Farmboy

 

[smithrjd]

I've never trimmed pistol brass, that being said as the 45ACP head spaces on the case mouth for absolute accuracy case length could make a difference. I sort by head stamp, and pretty much just go with what is there.

 

[ontargetagain]

I would take a few of the extremes you have, short and long and load them up for your gun, see if they cycle and feed fine. If they do you with 'that' gun then you are good!
Karl

 

[hdwhit]

lenny lenard wrote:
...some are as long as 0.950 in length!

Maximum length of 45 ACP should be 0.898.

Like many who reload straight-wall cartridges, I usually lose the case to the weeds or it suffers a neck split before I have enough reloading cycles on the brass to make stretching an issue. But you reported that some of the brass is as long as 0.950!

0.950 is a huge amount of case stretching. That extra length has to come from thinning of the rest of the case and would be a concern for me. I wouldn't trim brass that long, I would simply discard it.

 

[Neumann]

Some compact pistols, notably a Kahr PM45, Springfield XDs and XDm2, have a short chamber. I keep the OAL to 1.250 for FMJ and 1.230 for Hornady XTP bullets. I have never trimmed .45 ACP brass, but would watch for potential problems in less forgiving firearms as mentioned above. Besides chambering problems and potential jams, a long cartridge might create a step which interferes with feeding.

If you don't have problems, I wouldn't worry about it. Just be aware.

I try to pick up my brass, but tend to lose about 1/3 of it each session. The turnover is so high, I never have brass long enough to split or bulge. I'm sure odd brass gets mixed with the good stuff in the process. Brass with small pistol primers is a real PITA. I toss them in a plastic bag, but haven't reloaded them yet.

 

[bigedp51]

Subliminal Suggestion

1. Remove the primer from the 0.950 cases and remeasure.
2. Don't take psychedelic drugs when measuring cases.
3. Get a digital vernier caliper with "BIG" numbers and clean your bifocals.
4. Number 3 was my problem, I have chronologically gifted eyesight.
5. Never come into a forum and tell everyone you made a mistake.

 

[MichiganScott]

I have a ton of 45 acp brass that I have picked up at the range. Most measure 0.888 but some are as long as 0.950 in length! Should they be trimmed? I have never trimmed pistol brass but now I am beginning to wonder. Would like to get some feedback. I also sort based on head
stamp and most of these are either Winchester or Federal brass.

thank-you

I stopped trimming brass when I began buying it from the factory in one lot. This extreme difference in case length is one of the reasons I stopped shooting range brass. I still pick it up as old habits die hard, but I now just recycle it.

 

[fredj338]

I have a ton of 45 acp brass that I have picked up at the range. Most measure 0.888 but some are as long as 0.950 in length! Should they be trimmed? I have never trimmed pistol brass but now I am beginning to wonder. Would like to get some feedback. I also sort based on head
stamp and most of these are either Winchester or Federal brass.

thank-you

Ive probably loaded upwards of 100k 45acp over 40yrs. I have never trimmed a case. I also never seen one 0.950" long, way out of spec.

 

[Freischütz]

I trim 45 ACP brass, but only because I use bullets requiring a roll crimp.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Seat a bullet to the correct OAL, taper crimp to .469" and you will be good to go. Also keep an eye out for those pesky small primer case's. They reload just fine but keep em separated from the large primer jobbers especially when using a progressive press.

 

[rwsmith]

The .950s

That's pretty high out of spec. It seems they were shot at least once, so they must work, consequently, you don't HAVE to trim them. I have a trimming rig on my drill press that goes pretty fast and it wouldn't be much trouble trim them once, and never bother with them again.

 

[fredj338]

Seat a bullet to the correct OAL, taper crimp to .469" and you will be good to go. Also keep an eye out for those pesky small primer case's. They reload just fine but keep em separated from the large primer jobbers especially when using a progressive press.

Deoends onbrass thickness & bullet size, but ifind 0.469" too tight, starts sizing the bullet base down. I never measured until someone started throwing such numbers around, but slapping calipers on mine, comes out 0.471" most times lading 0.452" bullets.