TyGuy Posted September 4, 2014 at 03:49 AM Share Posted September 4, 2014 at 03:49 AM What are your thoughts on the different brands of basic non-powered case trimmers? So far I have seen the Hornady, RCBS, and Lyman ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmer Fudd Posted September 4, 2014 at 03:52 AM Share Posted September 4, 2014 at 03:52 AM The best case trimmers you are going to find are LE Wilson and Sinclair Intl which is owned by Brownells Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TyGuy Posted September 4, 2014 at 04:04 AM Author Share Posted September 4, 2014 at 04:04 AM It would be for 223 plinking reloading and cooking more M1 Garand food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkroenlein Posted September 4, 2014 at 04:32 AM Share Posted September 4, 2014 at 04:32 AM I've got the RCBS. The only complaint, or maybe a notable observation, is the pilot arrangement. The pilot slips into the center of the cutter and is held in place by a set screw, which necessarily pushes the pilot off center just a smidge. That leads to a perceptible wobble and the case appears to flex around a bit as you turn the cutter. However, it has never led to decreased neck tension or anything of the like. You do have to buy cartridge family specific shell holders which isn't a huge deal because they're relatively inexpensive, and you can trim all of the popular stuff with only a few shell holders. It has coarse and hash marked fine adjustments and set up is quick. The shell holder is quick to swap cases and never slips, and does hold the case square with no propensity cant. I prefer this feature to the collet style shell holders that I've used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepercaprice1 Posted September 4, 2014 at 08:48 AM Share Posted September 4, 2014 at 08:48 AM The basic lathe type trimmers work well but are slow for doing any volume of cases. If you are looking for something inexpensive but faster, check out "World's Finest Trimmer". They can be used by hand or with a drill motor and are much faster than the old style trimmers. If money isn't an object, there's always the Giraud. It works like an electric pencil sharpener and is just about as fast. I use a Dillon trimmer for my most of my trimming. It sizes at the same time it trims. You still need to deprime so it really doesn't save any steps but it does a very nice job trimming and it's fast and accurate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neumann Posted September 4, 2014 at 11:41 AM Share Posted September 4, 2014 at 11:41 AM I have an RCBS manual trimmer and a collet based type. The RCBS is the fastest to use, and holds the case most securely without fiddling. Unlike collets, which retract, the reference surface of the RCBS holder is fixed, regardless of minor case variations. The cutter and pilots are easily replaced. The holder is universal. There are micrometer markings on a threaded collar which can be used to make fine, incremental adjustments. The spring lever takes a lot of force, so the trimmer must be bolted down. Rather than bolting it to my bench, I have it on a piece of 1/2" aircraft plywood, which can be fastened to the bench with a clamp or hold-down, and stored when not in use. Best of all, it is fast to use, which is nice for processing a lot of .223 collected from a range (with permission). The pilots are stored in holes in the base, and easily dumped. I strongly recommend a carbide cutter, which is faster and stays sharp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee n. field Posted September 4, 2014 at 01:33 PM Share Posted September 4, 2014 at 01:33 PM Don't forget Forster Products' trimmers. (Illinois manufacturer.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWBH Posted September 4, 2014 at 02:08 PM Share Posted September 4, 2014 at 02:08 PM I have a Forster...However, usually before I need to trim cases, I spot cracks emerging on the case neck so I just toss them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarlJ Posted September 4, 2014 at 05:22 PM Share Posted September 4, 2014 at 05:22 PM Tagging along Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TyGuy Posted September 4, 2014 at 05:28 PM Author Share Posted September 4, 2014 at 05:28 PM Tagging along Grass, gas, or ammo, nobody rides for free Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgunguy Posted September 4, 2014 at 08:16 PM Share Posted September 4, 2014 at 08:16 PM I really like my Forster. Nice clean cuts and accurate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyP Posted September 4, 2014 at 09:21 PM Share Posted September 4, 2014 at 09:21 PM Lee also makes a low cost one that gets pretty good reviews. All my gear is Lee but I reload only handgun so no 1st hand experience trimming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckydawg13 Posted September 4, 2014 at 09:47 PM Share Posted September 4, 2014 at 09:47 PM i use in RCBS trimmer but this is on my Christmas list https://www.possumhollowproducts.com/KWICK_CASE_TRIMMERS.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DD123 Posted September 5, 2014 at 12:26 AM Share Posted September 5, 2014 at 12:26 AM I have the LE Wilson trimmer, the one with the micrometer. For trimming rifle cases, it's done a fantastic job. Each cut is exact. For pistol, it leaves much to be desired because you have to pound each piece of brass into the die, then after trimming, you have to pound it out again. That would take way too long, but then again, who trims pistol brass lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylar Stern Posted September 7, 2014 at 12:38 AM Share Posted September 7, 2014 at 12:38 AM http://www.giraudtool.com/Tri%20Way%20Trimmer.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepercaprice1 Posted September 7, 2014 at 10:03 AM Share Posted September 7, 2014 at 10:03 AM http://www.giraudtool.com/Tri%20Way%20Trimmer.htmThis is a new one on me and looks like a great deal. I like the fact that the Giraud trims, chamfers and deburrs all in one shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TyGuy Posted September 7, 2014 at 01:18 PM Author Share Posted September 7, 2014 at 01:18 PM Those index off of the case neck correct? Is there any issue with the case elongating further down, in the section NOT being trimmed? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepercaprice1 Posted September 7, 2014 at 05:18 PM Share Posted September 7, 2014 at 05:18 PM Those index off of the case neck correct? Is there any issue with the case elongating further down, in the section NOT being trimmed? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HDI believe it indexes off the shoulder. Any time you trim, you should size first. I'm not sure if that answers your question or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neumann Posted September 10, 2014 at 02:34 AM Share Posted September 10, 2014 at 02:34 AM Tagging along Grass, gas, or ammo, nobody rides for free Cases should always be resized before trimming. Cases that size off a shoulder (e.g., .223 and.308) should be sized according to a case gauge that measures the shoulder length to the base (e.g., Wilson or Dillon, ~$25). For these calibers, the sizing die is normally backed off a little, not touching the shell holder like for straight-walled cases. RCBS has cutters which trim and chamfer in one setting for certain calibers, if you can find them. However, It's not that hard to chamfer cases inside and out with a small hand tool. I usually trim in batches of 100 to 200 cases, and chamfer by hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the possum Posted September 10, 2014 at 02:45 PM Share Posted September 10, 2014 at 02:45 PM I have an older hand cranked trimmer, but don't remember the brand. It really came in handy once, when I messed up and primed a whole batch of 7mm mag brass before it was trimmed. Since it just grabs the case rim, I didn't have to knock out all the good primers. That said, I would still look into the Lee products, as that's what I mainly use. They have a trimmer body and base that use caliber specific shell holders & length gauge (for like 5 bucks each). The length gauge goes all the way through the case and primer hole so you have a true overall length rather than relying on the shoulder. They can be used by hand, and I do so if there's not many cases to prep. But they can also be chucked into a drill, so you can trim, then chamfer inside and out, and even use a bit of steel wool on stubbornly tarnished cases in a matter of seconds. Being able to do all these steps basically in one shot without removing the case can be a real time saver. And using a cordless drill lets you do it at the kitchen table or in front of the TV, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prairie Pucker Posted September 12, 2014 at 01:19 AM Share Posted September 12, 2014 at 01:19 AM I used a Forster to trim straight wall .375 rifle brass after first sizing to .30-.30 and then to 7 MM International Rimmed for handgun silhouette. Had very good results with it. Their stuff always impresses me for how simple it is yet how well it works. I refuse to use Lee products on general principal. I was on vacation in Wisconsin & happened to be in Hartford. Spur of the moment stopped by the Lee factory to see if there was any chance of getting a tour. Ended up being guided by Lee himself and I let him know I appreciated him taking the time. Afterwards sitting in a conference room making small talk and he asks about what I reload with. Uh oh. I can't think fast enough to lie, so I told the truth....Dillon. I thought the guy was going to stroke out. He got tight, then he got red, and then the hospitality was over and don't let the door knob hit ya. Instead of using the opportunity to find out what I liked & didn't like about Dillon, he just got bent. So much for enlightened leadership. I ended up making a guilt purchase of an Auto Prime that ended up being an non-ergonomic piece of junk. I'd bought a few Lee products before that incident and none since. Nor will there be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT1 Posted September 13, 2014 at 04:17 PM Share Posted September 13, 2014 at 04:17 PM I've used the Lee, it does the job, but it is slow(power drill). The single cal drill types are nice, but typically caliber specific, and that adds up to a lot of cash and they aren't near as fast as advertised. I've watched the vids and it is obvious. The lathe types are all similar enough, but some have hidden extra costs. I have the Lyman Universal, it will trim a case every 10 seconds because a simple lever releases and captures the brass in the universal holder, once you've done it a few times you can go quite fast. As fast as any of the powered single cal trimmers(like the WFT). It centers on the primer hole, so decent concentricity, but maybe not as good as a collet type(forster) but those cost speed and are more for BR types. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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