.45acp case length

[josebd]

After resizing I measure the length,say .888 turn it to measure across the other way and I get .891-.892.
I can hold up the case and easily see its longer on one side.do I need to trim or are they ok for taper crimp?

 

[std7mag]

If you can see the taper, i'd trim just to make it even.
Otherwise no need to trim 45ACP.

 

[Uncle Ed]

Question, did the case length vary before resizing? I'm asking because I'm wondering if your press, shell holder or die could be causing the lopsided case growth.

 

[std7mag]

Fair question.
I hadn't thought along those lines.

 

[Twicepop]

Unless you're shooting these in a match, just load 'em and shoot 'em.

 

[Rsadams]

Cases aren't cut equally across the mouth in factory ammo for sure.... Unless you have a very good trimmer it's very hard to get them trimmed equally also....For pistol either trim all to one length or sort them into one length if you have enough brass to do so... It helps keep your crimps all the same... OR if just for practice ammo , just resize and make sure your brass OAL isn't to long for safety and just load and go shoot.... I used to trim the amount I needed to one length but now I just sort by length and load.... In a Glock 19 I can't tell a big difference if I was shooting competition with a super accurate pistol then I would go back to trying to make them as perfect as possible like for rifle... One thing I have learned over the past decade of reloading , which isn't nearly as long as most on here is , you can get away with some things and unless your gun and your skills are top notch it doesn't make a big difference.... Now as I said if it's for a accurate rifle or pistol then I try to match everything perfectly..

 

[Oso]

Guarantee that the case will never be longer than it is now if you continue to shoot it!!!

 

[308 5R]

Trim them evenly if it bothers you. Most chambers are cut long (most couldn’t say what their headspace dimension is anyway) and all brass is too short out of the box (Winchester 1000pcs: avg .893, low .885, high .898). You won’t see a difference unless it’s in a ransom rest, and even then you won’t see the difference unless your pistol has been built by a short list of bullseye smiths.

I trim to a consistent length once to ensure the crimp is consistent and then let the chips fall as they may. Brass will shrink a thou or two each firing.

S/F
Ryan

 

[308 5R]

Also I doubt that case was ever square. I’ve seen them as bad as .005-.006” difference. There is definitely not much attention paid to pistol brass, except maybe from starline. Their stuff is generally pretty spot on. Just choot em

 

[Cryhavoc]

All very good replies....if it was me?...I'd just "choot em'" (Troy Landry)

 

[josebd]

Thanks guys

 

[Hino895]

Why crimp?

 

[std7mag]

Just a taper crimp. Helps keep the bullet in place.
The process of going from magazine to battery in the chamber is not a gentle one.

 

[AJC]

Why crimp?

Only to remove the flair from expanding to seat.

 

[stork]

Also can make a HUGE difference in accuracy. Not all my 1911's like the same amount of crimp. Some like it at .469, some like it at .463. Depends a lot on what brass, bullet, and powder are used. Having shot thousands of rounds through my ransom rest, you'd be surprised at just how at just how much that is accepted as fact, isn't.

 

[Steve Ladino]

After resizing I measure the length,say .888 turn it to measure across the other way and I get .891-.892.
I can hold up the case and easily see its longer on one side.do I need to trim or are they ok for taper crimp?

If you can hold the 10 ring at 25 yds. trim them and see if that helps or not.