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RX8er wrote:

DocV wrote: ....

Oh, you did say you were getting a chamfer deburring tool, correct?

Thanks DocV. I didn't say that because I have one already. I am assuming deburring is only if you trim the case as it is with the pistol brass.

RX8er wrote: So, here is my process I am working up in my head:

1. Tumble brass
2. Inspect and measure for max length
2a. Too long = pile for trimming
3. Put wax on fingers and on each neck apply very little as loaded
4. Place brass on carrier
a. deprime
b. prime
c. powder
d. bullet
e. crimp
5. Check length
6. Clean wax off?
7. Storage

You have the essential steps. I resize and de prime then trim. You can probably trim before depriming too as I doubt resizing would take a case at trim-to length up to trim length. I haven't tried it. After mulling it over, I think it would be ok.

I use a Rock Chucker and do all of your steps in #4 in separate batches. I find my pacesetter dies to be very consistent so I measure OAL on the first few completed rounds and then spot check rounds at random.

As to "Wax on. Wax off.":

I don't find that I have to smear wax on every single case. Maybe I do so subconsciously, but my impression is I can wax up one case lightly and then run three or four cases through deprime before I detect a need to put more wax on.

I usually tumble my brass twice. Once before depriming and then before priming. That said, there is not all that much wax on the brass to start with and I put car wax in my tumble media too. That makes me wonder if cleaning off the wax is all that necessary. Other case lube, however, might be a different story.

RX8er wrote: Are you guys applying the wax just as you place the brass on the press?

Yup. Once you get the wax you will see how it works. I just wipe the case with my fingers as I put it on the shell holder. I usually am able to deprime several cases before I have to "reload" my fingers.

RX8er wrote: Are you guys trimming the brass before each loading or just measuring each one each time? I know with my handgun brass it is not growing at all. I have a couple marked pieces that are on the 4th reload, three times being shot and the case has not grown at all.

I measure each batch of cases after depriming and separate those cases that are at the maximum trim length - 1.76 for 2.23. I adjust my trimmer to be not less than the trim-to length of 1.75. I am satisfied with a trim between 1.752 to 1.754. As I recall, 5.56 brass max is around 1.772 but the Lake City cases that I have seem to stretch a bit more than the 2.23 cases do.

Oh, you did say you were getting a chamfer deburring tool, correct?

I have the pacesetter dies. They do the job.

Yes, you need case lube. Get some imperial wax. Lightly rub your index finger on the wax. Rub thumb and finger together to spread the wax on your finger tips. Then rub a little of the wax on the outside of each case. You don't need much lube and you will get the hang of it after a few cases.

Measure after de-prime and sizing. Use a set of calipers. Most of the 223 cases that I have may never need to be trimmed. Lake City brass seems to want trimming as does the few Hornady cases that I have. I bought a World's Finest Trimmer for 223. I only destroyed five pieces of brass when I set it up