Trim Length Question

[Crow]

A while back, I bought some once fired .308 Palma brass, and am just now getting around to prepping it for use. Turns out about half of it is trimmed to ~ 1.850... much shorter that the 2.005 'trim to' standard.

This'll be the last time I buy used brass, but the price and sellers description via IM inspired me to take a chance, and the other half seems fine.

I have carbon ring worries on the short stuff- should I simply discard it? It's hard to imagine it growing enough to ever be back in spec, but thought I'd ask before tossing it.

(edit for spelling correction)

 

[Taildrag15X]

I'd like first thank you for not passing it off to someone else as that's what happened to me me here with "once fired" 6mmbr Lapua brass. I had commented nice snag on a killer deal as others had, was contacted by the buyer about 2 weeks later via email that he didn't need all the brass and offered the extra to me for what he paid plus shipping. What I received was worn out brass, neck turned to .004-.006, trimmed short and 220 of 500 had been blown out to Dasher brass.....just like you I learned a lesson on used brass.

You don't state a quantity other than "'half", I hope it's only 50 or so for your sake......

Short of throwing them in the yellow brass scrap maybe someone could use them to make 7mm-08 or ???.

 

[Crow]

Thanks Mike.

The entire purchase wasn't a complete disappointment: about 150 short pieces, leaving about 200 that were exactly what I was expecting. Coulda bought those 200 new for about $50 more than I paid for the used, so I'm gonna tell myself I got the short ones for free (ha!).

Appreciate your suggestion - got me thinking outside the box!

 

[BenPerfected]

A while back, I bought some once fired .308 Palma brass, and am just now getting around to prepping it for use. Turns out about half of it is trimmed to ~ 1.850... much shorter that the 2.005 'trim to' trim to standard.

This'll be the last time I buy used brass, but the price and sellers description via IM inspired me to take a chance, and the other half seems fine.

I have carbon ring worries on the short stuff- should I simply discard it? It's hard to imaging it growing enough to ever be back in spec, but thought I'd ask before tossing it.

You will likely get somewhat of a carbon buildup no matter the length of the brass. My suggestion is to shoot all of your brass and manage cleaning your chamber on a regular basis.
Ben

 

[Crow]

I considered that too, and thought watching the growth rate on the neck could be, for lack of a better word, 'enlightening'. Think it'd ever grow to 2.005?

 

[Steve Ladino]

I considered that too, and thought watching the growth rate on the neck could be, for lack of a better word, 'enlightening'. Think it'd ever grow to 2.005?

maybe with grease on the shoulder and neck area

 

[Ned Ludd]

If your numbers above are correct, the short brass would need to grow in length by 0.155" to get back to 2.005. I seriously doubt that will ever happen, as that's almost half the length of the neck. .308 Win brass might typically grow .005" to .010" during its life, but not well over one tenth of an inch. Fortunately, you received 200 usable pieces at a price less than "new". Personally, I'd toss the short brass and move on with the good pieces.

 

[Crow]

Personally, I'd toss the short brass and move on with the good pieces.

That's where I'm leaning too, and maybe while I'm breaking in the new barrel and finding a suitable load, shoot the same 3 or so short pieces as foulers each trip to the range just to watch the growth. Will report back.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Daerider]

I considered that too, and thought watching the growth rate on the neck could be, for lack of a better word, 'enlightening'. Think it'd ever grow to 2.005?

If it did ever grow to 2.005", where do you think that extra 0.155" of brass would come from? Plenty of options for that brass as previously stated. 6.5 creedmoor, 6mm Creedmoor. I definitely would not toss it, or better yet offer up to another member for the cost of shipping.

 

[chop house]

crow, check your pm's...

 

[Crow]

crow, check your pm's...

pm answered, thanks