Need some ideas on case neck shortening ?

[jedman]

I have been forming cases for a cartridge that I have developed by sizing the case with a shortened LEE die with the collet nut and expander removed. The case comes out just as I want but the problem I have is the neck on the new formed case is waaaay to long, like 1.3 inches so I need to cut off nearly a whole inch of excess neck.
I was thinking someone else might have come up with a easy way to cut them off quickly, I do have a case trimmer but it would be to slow to remove about a inch of brass off each case. Any ideas ?
                                                         jedman

[Val]

In forming some cases for 7.62 X 53 Argentine Mauser out of 30-06 brass, I had a similar issue. I used a hack saw and cut the 30-06 brass down before I ran through the full length sizing die. I did champfer the inside and outside of the neck before sizing. I still had quite a bit of neck turning to do after I ran through the sizing die but it was much less. If you have a more precise metal cutting blade like on a band saw or some other more precise cutter you could trim down much closer before you brass trim.

[Graybeard]

File trim dies are made for this purpuse. As mentioned you can cut with hacksaw or dremel cutoff wheel and then use a file to smooth it to the correct length assuming someone makes one for you application. Or you can do as I did and buy the Forster Case Trimmer that works in conjunction with your drill press. You do it just like a regular case trimmer but using the drill press for power and speed. It can shorten one that much in a few seconds flat.

[jedman]

Thanks for the ideas, I think I will try to make a hardwood block with snug fitting holes where I can put in 3 or 4 at a time and cut them close on my small bandsaw and then finish trim them.                   jedman

[Tom W.]

Or perhaps a tubing cutter?

[gary0529]

Agree w/Tom W.-used tubing cutter to fashion 300 Whisper cases from 223 Rem. and 221 Fireball.
Just mark the parent case with a fine line sharpie or equivalent magic marker pen and use the tubing cutter- Fast, easy and leaves a clean cut that is easy to chamfer or further reduce on an electric case trimmer or whatever you are using.

[jedman]

Thanks for the tips, I did try the tubing cutter and it works well i just wish it was faster.
                                                      jedman

[John Traveler]

For a shortening a large quantity (several dozen to a few hundred) cases, I use a powered disc or belt sander.  A hardwood block drilled with holes holds the cases, and a two second pass removes a 1/2 inch of case neck quickly.  Final trimming done in a rotary case neck trimmer.

HTH
John

[30hrrtt]

I have shortened about a thousand cases so far for my 30 herrett.  I do carpentry work and I use my power miter box with a carbide blade.  I made a simple jig I clamp to the fence with a stop so the case ends up just a few thousands more than needed.  I also have a clamp that holds the casing.  It's amazing how fast I can cut a 100 cases.  Then I chamfer and debur, run them through the sizer, and hand trim the last several hundreth.

[30hrrtt]

I should say final trim the last several thousandths, not hundreths.

[LaOtto222]

I am with GB on this. I use a trim die. The one Redding has is a rough sizer too. I am working with 221 FB from 223 cases. I lube up the 223 case run it into the trim die and then cut it off with a Dremel close to the die. but not touching it. I used a hacksaw, but the Dremel is quicker. I then take the case out and finish trimming with a Lee, but any trimmer will work, because you are close now. I take off the burrs, then run it into a full length sizer. I have filed them down to size, but found the lee to be quicker. 

[jedman]

Thanks again for all the ideas,  Jedman

[skb2706]

I have a couple of wildcat cartridges that require serious cut downs too. This is what I found.

Grinding them is messy and difficult to control

tubing cutter jacks up the neck and curls in end in

hacksawing is cumbersome, awkward and not to precise

If you go to Harbor Freight, spend $24 on a "Mini Cut Off Saw" you will find that to be the most effective way to shorten mass quantities of brass. I actually made a little jig for mine. The blade that comes with it leave almost no burr and will cut to the point that I only clean them up in my case trimmer...maybe .005"

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42307