Torkk 5 Posted March 14, 2020 I have a few 38 Special cases trimmed to 1.143 per one of my recipes, and others at 1.140. I did end up with some cases in the 1.138 area. Would these be safe to use or should I chuck them? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
njJoniGuy 2,131 Posted March 14, 2020 You're fine. It's VERY RARE that a straight-wall pistol case needs to be trimmed. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CAL. .30 M1 2,101 Posted March 14, 2020 6 minutes ago, njJoniGuy said: You're fine. It's VERY RARE that a straight-wall pistol case needs to be trimmed. ^^^^this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Torkk 5 Posted March 15, 2020 The question was about the shorter casings i have though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Longranger 16 Posted March 15, 2020 If those shorter cases are good except for the length of 1.138", I'd use them. SAAMI spec on 38 SPL case length is 1.135" to 1.155". Just check after firing that they haven't shrunk below the lower limit. Not sure what you're measuring with, but you're really splitting hairs here. I'd use a 1"-2" micrometer that had been set with gauges if I thought the length was that critical. -Longranger Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagarocks 36 Posted April 6, 2020 Straight walled brass cases get smaller as they are reused in reloading whereas rifle brass gets longer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackDaWack 2,895 Posted April 7, 2020 17 hours ago, Bagarocks said: Straight walled brass cases get smaller as they are reused in reloading whereas rifle brass gets longer. 38 special is rimmed. I don't think it will shorten over time. It probably won't lengthen either. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
10X 3,296 Posted April 7, 2020 17 hours ago, Bagarocks said: Straight walled brass cases get smaller as they are reused in reloading whereas rifle brass gets longer. I'd not heard that before. What would cause a case to shorten? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackDaWack 2,895 Posted April 7, 2020 1 hour ago, 10X said: I'd not heard that before. What would cause a case to shorten? Its not well understood, but people have noticed it over time when kept track of... someone did a .45acp trial and notice them getting short.. something to do with the case blow back into the bolt face. Necked cartridges expand at the neck, not the body... just for reference Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagarocks 36 Posted April 7, 2020 Ive never seen any hand gun case lengthen like shouldered cases. Here is a very informative article on it from mass reloading. http://massreloading.com/loading45ACP.html 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites