[rescuerandy2]

Ready to trim some 6.5 cases but need to know how much to take off. Specs (Lee) call for maximum case length of 2.067". I do not want to do this anytime too soon, so what do you recommend I take this down to. Thanks, Randy.

 

[BIG ED]

I guess you need a starting point? If you have a dial caliper what do the original cases measure? When I trim I measure 10 new cases. Average them out and set my Forstner case trimmer to that size. Then trim away

 

[rescuerandy2]

Do not have any new cases and my old ones are at 2.067 and higher. I need to know if "best practice" is to trim back to 2.067 or how far under, a few hundredths or thousands. should I trim. Thanks Randy.

 

[stevenjay1]

I will assume that you are talking about the 6.5 Carcano case. My reference books list the max length at 2.060" to 2.065" with a trim length of 2.055". I like to keep my cases close to the max length so I tend to keep my cases about .003" short of the Max length. To place this in perspective, a sheet of notebook paper is .003". I hope you have a dial or electronic caliper. If not you can get a 6" one for about $15.00 from Harbor Freight Tools.

 

[rescuerandy2]

Yes 6.5 Caracano fresh from the range today. I have both types of calipers and will trim to 2.055" to start. Thanks, Randy.

 

[DocAV]

Instead of Fiddling around with Thous of an inch on an Inch caliper, for case lengths I get my Dual read( Inch-metric)Dial caliper ( all steel, European made) and simply read off the metric as in the case designation...52 mm. Simple, no sweat.
Same applies for all other cases we make from formed brass.

KISS!!!

Doc AV

 

[rescuerandy2]

Roger That!

Randy

 

[ireload2]

Just because case nomenclature was/is a given value in MM does not mean it was not some fraction.
Check the actual original military case drawings and chamber drawings.
The 6.5X53R Dutch cartridges and chambers were very different than the exact numbers they are usually referred to by.