case length

[bigfish]

Hello,
I'm new to the board and to 6mmBR. I just bought a 6br built on a Savage action. I'm also new to reloading. I have a question about case length. I have 200 or so cases and apon measuring them the majority are 1.555 +/-.003 all of the manuals quote the case length as 1.560,I,m assuming that is Max. length) would it be wise to trim them all to the same length which would be around 1.553. I've searched the boards and couldn't find anything on the subject. How much under the quoted length is considered to be the min. length

 

[Travelor]

Fire them first as brass has a tendency to change OAL upon the first firing in you chamber. Then I trim my cases back to 1.550" - 1.555" depending on the length of the shortest case.

George

 

[NorCalMikie]

Joey: The first thing that you need to do is find the "actual" length on your chamber. That way you'll know when you need to trim your brass. Most chambers are about .015 to.020 longer that the "max" case trim length.
I've got 2 Savage rifles chambered in 6BR. Max case length for the 6BR Norma is 1.560. My chambers measure 1.579 and 1.580 so I know how long my cases can get before I need to trim.
Fire form your brass like George says then you'll know what you need to do. If you trim all of them to the same length after they have been fired you'll have a good starting point to work from.
I havn't had to trim my brass for a long time.

 

[bigfish]

Thanks,
That's what I needed to know. The cases have already been fire formed. I was curious if it would be wise to trim them all to the same length for consistency.

 

[NorCalMikie]

If you trim all your cases to the same length, you'll have a good starting point to keep track as the case length changes.
And if you neck size and bump the shoulders maybe .001 or .002, you may not have to trim for a "long" time. Less time working on brass and more trigger time!

 

[bigfish]

Thanks,
That's what I was thinking just needed someone to confirm it.