Reloading question

[Big Ben]

Guys, do you tumble your brass before or after resizing?

Also, I have bunch of brass that is shorter than the max and the 'trim to' length (.38 spl.). Is is safe to assume that these just don't need to be trimmed and are ready to go?

[melloman]

I tumble first.
I would be inclined to reject the short brass - how many cases are we talking?

[precision32]

I knock the primers out and tumble to get the range crud off the brass. I then size and tumble a second time to remove any sizing lube.

As the 38 headspaces off the rim, case length is not as critical as a cartridge that headspaces off the case mouth. Just how short are they?

[canes7]

Tumble before and after sizing. You don;t want any crap scratching your sizing die.

[Big Ben]

I have a couple boxes from one maker that are a little short, not much at all. The 'trim to' length listed is 1.145", seems most are @1.144", but some are 1.142".

I actually was going to tumble them again, thanks for the opinions.

[melloman]

Close enough - I would use them, just maintain the suggested COAL so that there aren't any overpressure issues.

[Skeet6]

Tumble before and after sizing. You don;t want any crap scratching your sizing die.

Same as Dan here... I tumble (just a quick clean) before they get resized, then again afterward to clean off the lube and stuff...
Mike

[Big Ben]

Thanks for the help guys, I knew I could count on you!

[MajorD]

pistol- tumble before sizing (using a carbide sizer that does not require lube) rifle cases after sizing to get the case lube off.