Short cases?

[BTSTEVE]

Question, I am starting to load .223 and I have most of my cases trimmed to 1.750. I have one I trimmed short it is at 1.435. My question is it ok to load this short case? I have some cases that were just below 1.750 and they had been shot so I am guessing a little short is not an issue, but what is too short, and what are the effects of too short of a case.

 

[mac45]

I think you typed that wrong.

 

[Fishersjohn48]

I think you typed that wrong.

Typed what wrong?

 

[netsecurity]

1.435 should be 1.735 I think.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

I trim any brass that is longer than 1.760". Any brass shorter than 1.740" gets tossed. At 1.740" I can still crimp the bullet.

 

[Broom_jm]

It would take a while to accidentally trim .315" too much.

 

[BTSTEVE]

Sorry it should read 1.743

 

[Broom_jm]

Sorry it should read 1.743

OK, so they are only .007" shorter than your others. That's about the thickness of a human hair and will not make ANY difference in your loaded ammo. As you were!

 

[Classic]

I would also say there is a difference in reloading for function and handloading for accuracy. When handloading for accuracy the quest is usually for consistency which requires weighing every charge, weighing bullets, and trimming cases to the same length as exactly as possible among other things.

Reloading for function is not so demanding and allows for charges measured by volume, slight differences in case dimensions and "out of the box" bullet weights. All depends on your purpose as you load.

 

[Leo]

It is just used brass, you are not married to it, you can get rid of it without a divorce. If it is below spec, throw it out. No worries

 

[nj4020]

Save it, it'll give you an excuse to purchase a 300 Blackout rifle.

 

[Broom_jm]

Even if you're crimping at a specific length, a case that's less than .010" short isn't going to make an appreciable difference. It's also highly unlikely to be an issue where accuracy is concerned, unless this is some kind of benchrest competition gun. And finally, short cases that are fired and sized 3 or 4 times may just wind up being the right length, so why throw 'em away?