Should I trim 45-ACP cases for best accuracy? And if so, should I trim those cases to match some 'nominal minimum' length ?
I recently blundered by actually measuring a batch of 1x-fired WW 45-ACP, and the variation was interesting -- with many cases quite 'short' (0.884 -to- 0.886).
The case lengths I've measured centered around 0.888 to 0.890, so I elected to establish that as a standard for that particular 'batch' of WW Brass. (I was expecting them to run closer to the published 0.898 Max dim.)
Also, I ck'd. length specs. in several loading manuals, and 3 of 4 show 0.888 as a "trim-to"length (Hodgdon, Hornady & Sierra) while the SPEER Manual shows a shorter trim-to length of 0.893.
If I have a batch of cases with length dimension certering around 0.890-inches (which is UNDER minimum length published in several loading manuals) ??? Also, should I 'cull' brass that measures 0.885 ?
As always, I would appreciate you guys & gals sharing what you've experienced with the 45-Auto.
Capt-C
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PS: I routinely trim revolver cases and rifle cases 'extra-short' so I won't have to trim them but once... but I've never trimmed
the thousands of 40-S&W I've loaded (which BTW were NOT loaded for optimum accuracy).
I understand the various theories about headspacing on semi-auto pistol rounds -- my question really pertains to the affect case length variation can have on Optimum Accuracy. --CC
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