Size Or Not Size?

[VIETVET191]

Kind of new to the reloading game (about a year and a half). It suddenly occurred to me that I may be wasting some of my time. Is it necessary to size and trim new brass?

 

[Leadeye]

I've only checked new brass when it was used for competition or hunting. From a rounds expended ratio that's less than 1%.

 

[ModernGunner]

Ah... the age old question, debated for millennia with, apparently, no clear answer yet forthcoming:

Does size matter?

 

[VIETVET191]

Thanks ModernGunner, but my wife hasn't complained lately so I don't think that answers my question.

 

[mac45]

I size 'em, and chamfer the case mouth.
Then check the length. Have almost never had to trim one.

 

[red_zr24x4]

We've had new brass that needed sized. Say 5 out of 100 ct bag, the throat was as if it was already fired, to big to hold a bullet.

 

[Broom_jm]

To have consistent neck tension or not...that is the question?

 

[billybob44]

Kind of depends??

Kind of new to the reloading game (about a year and a half). It suddenly occurred to me that I may be wasting some of my time. Is it necessary to size and trim new brass?

What do you want to do with your loads??

Do you want to just make some noise, and run a projectile down the barrel for a "Pattern" on the target?

Or do you want to shoot 3-5 rounds into ONE hole??

For accuracy most hand loaders will tell you to Full Length size all (Fired+New) brass the first time through your rifle. After the first initial firing in YOUR rifle you can Neck Size for the next few loadings.

What you DO want to do is make every round EXACTLY the same..This is what produces One Hole groups..Bill.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

I don't for pistol ammo.

 

[oldpink]

I just completed a major project, loading 1000 rounds of .45 ACP, and I resized each of the brand new Starline cases.
It ensures proper chambering, consistent neck tension, and reliable extraction and ejection.
I can say there was resistance with each case as I sized it, a telltale sign that they needed it.
For clarification with the other fellow who mentioned only needing to full length resize, what he said about only needing to resize for the first firing and not thereafter applies strictly to brass used in bolt action or strong single shot rifles that have the rigidity to only require the case neck resized for several firings after the initial one.
Always full length resize for all handguns and all lever action, pump action, and semiauto rifles.

 

[Cemetery-man]

I just completed a major project, loading 1000 rounds of .45 ACP, and I resized each of the brand new Starline cases.
It ensures proper chambering, consistent neck tension, and reliable extraction and ejection.
I can say there was resistance with each case as I sized it, a telltale sign that they needed it.
For clarification with the other fellow who mentioned only needing to full length resize, what he said about only needing to resize for the first firing and not thereafter applies strictly to brass used in bolt action or strong single shot rifles that have the rigidity to only require the case neck resized for several firings after the initial one.
Always full length resize for all handguns and all lever action, pump action, and semiauto rifles.

^^^100%^^^

 

[Leo]

To have consistent neck tension or not...that is the question?

I don't for pistol ammo.

+1, +1

 

[Broom_jm]

I don't for pistol ammo.

You don't...but you do, sorta. When you bell the case mouth, that trues up the mouth and neck of the case. So, you may not resize the base/head, but during a normal reloading process for pistol ammo, you do address any concentricity issues.

 

[Leo]

To have consistent neck tension or not...that is the question?

I don't for pistol ammo.

You don't...but you do, sorta. When you bell the case mouth, that trues up the mouth and neck of the case. So, you may not resize the base/head, but during a normal reloading process for pistol ammo, you do address any concentricity issues.

Good point

 

[VIETVET191]

Thanks for all the responses to my question. I think the general consensus is that you "may" not have to, but it's better if you do.
I've been doing it all along, so it's probably a good idea to continue.

 

[rvb]

Every piece throught the same process. I remember a few years ago a well known champion shooter loosing a major when he discovered during the match, the hard way, that his new brass didn't have flash holes cut. I remember thinking "who just loads it w.o running through a sizer/decap." Apparently there are more of you out there then I would realize...

-rvb

 

[ModernGunner]

Thanks ModernGunner, but my wife hasn't complained lately so I don't think that answers my question.

Well, if the Lady isn't complaining, then yes... it DOES!

Uh... "lately"?

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Kind of new to the reloading game (about a year and a half). It suddenly occurred to me that I may be wasting some of my time. Is it necessary to size and trim new brass?

You don't...but you do, sorta. When you bell the case mouth, that trues up the mouth and neck of the case. So, you may not resize the base/head, but during a normal reloading process for pistol ammo, you do address any concentricity issues.

When OP says "size and trim" I'm figuring he means length.