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How much chamfer is too much

Looking at all the videos on YT, I understand that consistency is paramount when chamfering, but I am seeing no real reference to the actual length of the chamfer. I understand about the concept of a large chamfer going to the outer edge of the case and it creating a "paper punch" sharp edge, but depending on the brass neck thickness, there is a large variation in the distance the chamfer can go into the neck without creating the sharp edge on the case. And this is also compounded with the cutting angle on the chamfer tool itself.

My thoughts are that we want to just break the inside edge of the case mouth so it doesn't peel the the bullet jacket as it is loaded, and it seems like that the longer the chamfer, the less surface bearing contact area is available to hold the bullet in the neck.

So, what in reality is the general consensus of how much the chamfer should be?

Thanks
 
It depends on your desired neck tension and OD of the bullet lot.
Bottom line is its bad juju to be damaging the bullet jackets.
FWIW, I use an old Sinclair VLD tool. I don't know what angle those fine flutes are at, but it certainly is a lot less than the 45 degree tools I see around today.
 
It depends on your desired neck tension and OD of the bullet lot.
Bottom line is its bad juju to be damaging the bullet jackets.
FWIW, I use an old Sinclair VLD tool. I don't know what angle those fine flutes are at, but it certainly is a lot less than the 45 degree tools I see around today.
My “Go To”… Controlled depth and shallow chamfer.
Get the little adaptor and you can then use it with a “screwdriver” battery operated type tool to save your fingers and speed up the operation.
 
That's all I do. I use the Lyman vld type hand tool. You really don't even need to push on it. Just set it against the case mouth and give it a turn.
Same here. I use the Giraud for 5.56 brass though. And that thing leaves a massive chamfer in the neck. I set the trimmer a few thowie long to offset the insane chamfer.
 
Same here. I use the Giraud for 5.56 brass though. And that thing leaves a massive chamfer in the neck. I set the trimmer a few thowie long to offset the insane chamfer.
I use a Giraud cutter in my Gracey, and I adjust it inward so the internal chamfer isn't massive and there is a substantial external chamfer.
 
Hey everyone, thanks for the replies and info. I have two active trimming tools, one of which just trims and is very accurate - the LE Wilson/Sinclair trimmer. I have the VLD reamer to chamfer the neck inside. My current issue (speed) is that it does a great job in keeping the cases uniformed, but it can only do one operation at a time and only two of the three steps necessary.

I know there are a lot of pros and cons on the Hornady trimmer, but I just didn't have the budget for the other two brands that most use. I am looking at batch trimming 300 cases and wanted something that could do all three steps at once.

At this point, I am not looking for opinions on the Hornady, but mainly wondering about the length of the chamfer. The chamfering cutter is adjustable, but if it is adjusted per the manual, it doesn't give much of a chamfer cut on the inside of the case mouth. I adjusted it slightly and increased the length of the chamfer, and I am trying to settle on which end of the adjustment I should go with, or just leave it at the factory setting/ only slightly chamfered or go with a little longer one.

Thanks again for the input.
 
Hey everyone, thanks for the replies and info. I have two active trimming tools, one of which just trims and is very accurate - the LE Wilson/Sinclair trimmer. I have the VLD reamer to chamfer the neck inside. My current issue (speed) is that it does a great job in keeping the cases uniformed, but it can only do one operation at a time and only two of the three steps necessary.

I know there are a lot of pros and cons on the Hornady trimmer, but I just didn't have the budget for the other two brands that most use. I am looking at batch trimming 300 cases and wanted something that could do all three steps at once.

At this point, I am not looking for opinions on the Hornady, but mainly wondering about the length of the chamfer. The chamfering cutter is adjustable, but if it is adjusted per the manual, it doesn't give much of a chamfer cut on the inside of the case mouth. I adjusted it slightly and increased the length of the chamfer, and I am trying to settle on which end of the adjustment I should go with, or just leave it at the factory setting/ only slightly chamfered or go with a little longer one.

Thanks again for the input.
If you’re not wanting to pony up for the Henderson, get the hornady. (I doubt it’s as good….)Do everything in one step perfectly and consistently and it doesn’t suck. Do it, you won’t be sorry.
 
Hey everyone, thanks for the replies and info. I have two active trimming tools, one of which just trims and is very accurate - the LE Wilson/Sinclair trimmer. I have the VLD reamer to chamfer the neck inside. My current issue (speed) is that it does a great job in keeping the cases uniformed, but it can only do one operation at a time and only two of the three steps necessary.

I know there are a lot of pros and cons on the Hornady trimmer, but I just didn't have the budget for the other two brands that most use. I am looking at batch trimming 300 cases and wanted something that could do all three steps at once.

At this point, I am not looking for opinions on the Hornady, but mainly wondering about the length of the chamfer. The chamfering cutter is adjustable, but if it is adjusted per the manual, it doesn't give much of a chamfer cut on the inside of the case mouth. I adjusted it slightly and increased the length of the chamfer, and I am trying to settle on which end of the adjustment I should go with, or just leave it at the factory setting/ only slightly chamfered or go with a little longer one.

Thanks again for the input.
This will do the job you want with fairly minimal cost. If you get the little adaptor the RCBS sells to allow the trimmer to use a power source/drill instead of the crank handle it is pretty quick and trims, chamfers inside and out in one step. Cutter can be adjusted to the amount of chamfering.
 
I agree with the above comments about minimal chamfer except for the .20 cal. For that I prefer a fairly substantial inside chamfer to help with bullet seating
 
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