When Brass Cases are Too Short (An EXTREME RELOADING Special Edition)

I frequently see 9mm Luger and 5.56 brass cases that are visibly short. Are these safe to load? Watch this video for the definitive answer.

[@FirstNatureBackland]

This is just what I was looking for. Neither the Nosler or Lee Manuals list tolerances or minimums. So this was tripping me up because some of my cases were .020 lower than the max which I thought was a lot. And if seating a bullet too deep can cause unsafe pressure then surely a case too short would also cause unsafe pressure. That SAAMI website is fantastic. Thanks!

[@sdkweber]

You are welcome. And thank you for watching and posting.

[@dissy5563]

What cartridge? As long as the overall length is correct, the bullet cannot be " too deep" in the case.

[@sdkweber]

@@dissy5563We were discussing the 9mm Luger which headspaces on the mouth. We were also discussing pressure. The other difference is what is called Head Height. That is the distance from the mouth of the case to the tip of the bullet.

[@MrScubalife]

This is such an informative video. Thank you for your help with my question earlier on this and the resource you just provided is perfect!

[@sdkweber]

Thank you. It was a great question that I thought would be best answered in detail. Thanks for watching and posting!

[@Dr_S]

Good video! Always check specifications... Thanks for the video

[@sdkweber]

You are welcome and thank you for watching and posting.

[@Nonedw]

Perhaps, pistol, cartridges or straight wall cartridges should be disregarded. But Rifle cartridges with a neck and shoulder will grow so unless it’s extremely short there is no need to throw them away.

[@DLN-ix6vf]

agree 100 % my necks are always short but the CB to shoulder is fine

[@leeNWHuntinganFish4713]

I was hoping the question was answered for rifles. I have about 150 lapua brasses that are short. About 60 thousands below Sammy spect. Do I fire form or throw. Cannot get the brass no more so its nice to have given to me.

[@DLN-ix6vf]

@@leeNWHuntinganFish4713 always better short than to long. Full length first then fire form

[@Nonedw]

@@leeNWHuntinganFish4713 are these virgin pieces of brass? What is the cartridge of Brass did you by chance resize them? If so, what method what dies?

[@guardianminifarm8005]

Good stuff for inexperienced and maybe even some "experience" reloaders. Thank you

[@sdkweber]

Thank you. It is good to "see you" again.

[@dissy5563]

I trim my match cases short intentionally, I only have to trim every 3 loadings this way. My testing hasn't shown any degradation in accuracy and still plenty of neck tension.

[@sdkweber]

If that works well for you that is OK. By doing what you describe you are introducing inconsistency. The first batch of cases will be shortest, the second batch a bit longer, etc. Within each batch there will surely be additional inconsistencies in case length. However, if this process is working well for you that is OK.

[@charlesw7012]

You did that for pistol, but what about rifle brass, I shoot a vanguard 243 & have found some brass short?

[@TexasSheepdawg21]

Guys shooting the 450 Bushmaster may find this interesting.

[@sdkweber]

Thanks TexasSheepDawg, feel free to forward to others.