L.E.Wilson "Fired and new trimming case holders"

[Howa]

The calibre on my query is a 6.5 Grendel.
I have a L.E.Wilson "New" case trimming holder which has worked with no problems on new brass.
Due to not being able for some time to purchase any new brass(I know that the "old type PPU brass" is available at Kranks, but I would like either the "New type" PPU or Lapua, so I have a good number of cases which are in good condition but are 1.515" or below that in case length,
After full length resizing with that length of 1.515" and below, I am unable to trim them with the "New" trimming holder, i.e. the neck is not available to trim, the whole case length is held inside the holder.
If USA forums are correct? Grendel cases can be used below the length of 1.515" which I have always used as the minimum case trimming length.
I read that there is a "Fired" Wilson case holder for the Grendel, am I correct in understanding that this holder would allow me to trim cases below 1.515"?
Can any one explain etc the answer to this query?

Thanks for any/all replies.

 

[webley701]

Generally a brand new case will be smaller in most dimensions (especially diameter) than a fired & full length resized case. A case holder with an internal taper diameter to match a certain case (such as the Wilson) will allow a new case to be pushed further into a given diameter taper than a slightly larger diameter fired/resized case will. This in itself isn’t an issue if the case base & mouth are still protruding clear of the holder but this isn’t always the circumstance, thus as you are aware Wilson produce holders with internal diameters best suited to new or alternatively fired cases.

Unless case forming from one cartridge/calibre to different one is being performed (where new cases may have to be trimmed), there’s rarely need to trim new cases - they’ll change in length most after the first firing - that’s when lengths can be uniformed if desired - so the default holder to buy is one for fired cases.

In my experience it’s often possible to trim new cases in a holder for fired cases - the bases may be very close to the end of the holder but that’s ok. Conversely it’s sometimes possible to trim fired & sized cases in a holder intended for new cases - but here the case mouth may only just be showing clear of the front of the holder. This cross-matching works best with cases having more rather than less taper.

You’ve had success trimming new cases but you don’t make it clear if you are now having a problem trimming fired/sized cases or just very short new ones (why trim new ones in that instance?). If you are trimming fired cases you should size them (they change length when sized) & then trim using a holder for fired cases.

If for some reason you are having problems trimming very short new cases (in your new case holder) then using a holder for fired cases (with it’s slightly larger internal taper diameter) will allow the case to move further forward in the holder thus exposing the case mouth but the base may not clear the holder.

The only holder needed for most uses is the fired case holder.

 

[Howa]

Thanks very much for your reply.

I bought the "New" version holder believing as with my other Wilson holders for 223 , 6.5 Swede and 357/38 that there was only one type, did not give it a thought, just ordered a trimmer case, as all my other calibres have never had any problem like the Grendel.

Your explanation is as I have thought, I'm very grateful for your confirmation, I can now hopefully obtain a "Fired" holder and then be able to use some of my shorter length cases.