What to do with short Brass?

[HappyGVM]

Hi everyone, I've been reloading for my 300 Wby (for hunting) and the trim to length for brass is 2.815 inches. Not sure how it happened with my RCBS "trim Pro Manual Case Trimmer" but I shaved too much brass of 10-12 of my cases. It isn't a lot, but they are 3-5 thousandths short. I understand that too long of a case will lead to pressure and potentially extraction issues, but are there any potential issues (other than a lack of uniformity) for "short cases"?
Thanks for the help!

 

[Pdyson]

That's not that bad. I wouldn't worry about it. They will stretch back out with use and catch up with the others, depending on your shoulder bump and how hot you load them. I'd guess just two or 3 reloads they'll stretch to the minimum trim length.

 

[Rick Richard]

Shoot it. You won't see any difference for the most part.

 

[lancetkenyon]

.003-.004" too short? 1 or 2 firings and they are back to minimum. No worries. Load and shoot.

 

[HappyGVM]

Yes, my shortest is 2.8105 so that that is .0045 short vs 2.815. Sometimes I think moving up to the digital calipers has me worrying about nothing.

 

[std7mag]

Shoot it!!

 

[HappyGVM]

Thanks guys.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

Keep them separate and reload them more often. They will catch up in short order.

Maybe just use them to make your "barrel fouling ammo".

 

[Calvin45]

Choot 'em!!!!

 

[Earnhardt]

Yup, shoot them...I've seen worse.

 

[FEENIX]

Hi everyone, I've been reloading for my 300 Wby (for hunting) and the trim to length for brass is 2.815 inches. Not sure how it happened with my RCBS "trim Pro Manual Case Trimmer" but I shaved too much brass of 10-12 of my cases. It isn't a lot, but they are 3-5 thousandths short. I understand that too long of a case will lead to pressure and potentially extraction issues, but are there any potential issues (other than a lack of uniformity) for "short cases"?
Thanks for the help!

I have not trimmed brass for quite some time now. As others noted, it is more than likely within the tolerance. Check out the SAAMI spec, it might say, +/- .005" or something.

 

[QuietTexan]

If you're following a printed "trim-to" length you probably already cutting it too short to start with.

There are multiple ways to measure actual chamber length, I would recommend that versus a spec that has nothing to do with the actual chamber cut in your barrel.

 

[HappyGVM]

Hi QT, I'm down near Temple. Can you please reference what you are talking about (in terms of measuring chamber length) so I can research it. Thanks

 

[Beluebow]

If you really wanna know.

https://www.brownells.com/reloading/measuring-tools/case-length-gauges/sinclair-chamber-length-gage/