Case necks not extended enough to trim

[paps]

Newbie reloader question here

A mate of mine shoots .243.

We've run through his first batch of reloads from start to finish.

Loaded them, shot them, deprimed and tumbled them and are up to trimming before reloading again.

The necks of the brass doesn't seem to have extended enough to trim though?

I can see from comparing side by side new brass and the once fire one, it has gone up a fraction.

When turning the trimmer there just isn't quite enough pressure I guess for the brass cutting bit to bite.

These are from starting loads being shot. Is that normal? I guess the brass needs to be shot a few times before trimming so the neck can extend a bit?

[Weepy]

That can be the way depending on your load.

Full powder charge can extend the case neck a full mm in 1 shot and give you plenty to trim.

Light load may barely effect it and give you nothing to work with.

[Hardcast]

Bonus, if you don't need to trim.
As weepy said, sometimes you don't need to trim.

[RDobber]

That's a good thing mate

Less trimming = more brass.

Saves you spending extra coin on replacing it.

[Warrigul]

Do me a favour and measure a couple and post the measurement.

[paps]

Do me a favour and measure a couple and post the measurement.

Did a few with the calipers.

Bugger all in it, only about 0.004 - 0.006 of an inch longer than factory.

[Warrigul]

Do me a favour and measure a couple and post the measurement.

Did a few with the calipers.

Bugger all in it, only about 0.004 - 0.006 of an inch longer than factory.

Yep, but what is the total measurement?

A MAX overall length going by the LEE book is 2.045", my Lee lock stud trim setup trims back to 2.035".

[paps]

Sorry, I meant on top of the 2.035 Warrigul.

They're measuring between 2.039 and 2.041.

[Lorgar]

Nothing to worry about paps.

I use the Lee case trimming system for my .243 and .308 and have the same thing.

After shooting once, I can feel a little resistance from the lengthened neck but it's not enough for the cutter to bite unless I really put on the pressure.

I trim my brass every 3rd shot now, with a little extra length after a few shots it bites and trims no worries.

[Warrigul]

Sorry, I meant on top of the 2.035 Warrigul.

They're measuring between 2.039 and 2.041.

I personally don't worry about trimming them until they do reach 2.045(which is the MAXIMUM case length in the LEE manual), I always measure AFTER I size. Some trimming should be happening down to 2.035" try pressing harder. I use a drill adaptor on my lockstud.


Check them each time you reload.

[paps]

Will do.

Thanks for the advice all.

Sounds like I'm in good shape, I'll give trimming another go once they're twice fired.