Author Topic: Need a recomendation for a case trimmer  (Read 707 times)

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Offline Buckfever

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Need a recomendation for a case trimmer
« on: October 26, 2006, 05:18:21 PM »
I will reload for .223, 6.5x55, 30-06, and 9,3x62 so far.  I will need a case trimmer soon and would like to get one that is easy to use and doesn't break the bank to purchase.  I would like to set the case length and run through the batch to reload to get a uniform length.  Can you do this?  I don't know what has to be purchased seperately by caliber.  I have the set of shellholders from Lee, will they work on the case trimmer?  All the rest of equipment I have is from the RCBS Rockchucker Master Supreme kit. Please tell me what is quality and value and what I need to purchase for parts. 

This was a lot easier watching my buddy reload, however I really think I am going to like this.   Thanks  Buckfever

Offline Reed1911

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Re: Need a recomendation for a case trimmer
« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2006, 12:12:11 AM »
There are a number of very good trimmers out there. Lyman makes a rather inexpensive one that accepts regular shell holders, and comes with a 9 pilot pack. I think the cost is about 35-40. Forester also has a great little classic that will not break the bank.
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Offline Nobade

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Re: Need a recomendation for a case trimmer
« Reply #2 on: October 27, 2006, 02:14:27 AM »
For large volume trimming I use the Lee sets. They're cheap, and never go out of adjustment. Run the trimmer in a drill press or hand drill and they're really fast. For cases that Lee doesn't make a trimmer for, or if I want a different length, I use a Forster. I can set it to any length I want, unlike the Lee that is fixed. For the chamfer/deburr operation, Sinclair makes a holder for a chamfer tool that you can run in a drill motor.
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Offline Chuck White

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Re: Need a recomendation for a case trimmer
« Reply #3 on: October 27, 2006, 03:37:28 AM »
I have a used RCBS trimmer listed in the classified!
Chuck White
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Offline CallaoJoe

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Re: Need a recomendation for a case trimmer
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2006, 03:58:26 AM »
For the money the Lyman is hard to beat.  It has a universal case holder, and several different heads for most popular bore diameters.

If you're gonna be doing "high" volume case trimming, then a powered trimmer would be the way to go.  I usually never have to trim more than 50 or so cases at a time, so the Lyman universal works great for me.....
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with me. I said, "Well, what do you need?" -- Steven Wright

Offline Buckfever

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Re: Need a recomendation for a case trimmer
« Reply #5 on: October 27, 2006, 05:09:01 PM »
Bought a new Lyman.  Will tell you how I like it after some use.  Thanks for the help.   Buckfever

Offline drdougrx

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Re: Need a recomendation for a case trimmer
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2006, 02:01:26 AM »
I just use a trim die and a large file.  I can do hundreds of cases in a reletively short time.  I also have an RCBS trim mate that opens and trues the flash hole , cleans the primer pocket, deburrs and champfers the neck, etc.  Well worth the $$.

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Offline ButlerFord45

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Re: Need a recomendation for a case trimmer
« Reply #7 on: October 30, 2006, 05:49:20 AM »
I have a RCBS trimmer, it's the one with the long handle/spring loaded case holder with a hand crank, it does just what RCBS says it is suppose to.  After doing a thousand in one setting, I'd never recommend anything but a powered unit to anyone.
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Offline bubbadoyle

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Re: Need a recomendation for a case trimmer
« Reply #8 on: October 30, 2006, 11:24:38 AM »
I have both the rcbs manual and power trimmer.  Before the power trimmer I used to hate trimming brass but with the power one it comes as close to possible of making brass trimming fun.  It is very fast and easy to use and since it spring loaded you can chamfer and deburr while another case is trimming.  I just keep a dummy case in a box with all my pilots and shell holders and use that case to set the trimmer.

Offline Waldog

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Re: Need a recomendation for a case trimmer
« Reply #9 on: October 31, 2006, 04:41:42 AM »
The best (IMHO!! ) trimmer is also one of the oldest. Take a look at the L.E. WILSON trimmer. This is a very simple design but is absolutely dead on accurate. So much so, that dedicated Bench rest shooters use them all the time. What is unique about the system is that the shell is not held by the head of the case as in most other trimmers. The WILSON trimmer holds cases by the CASE BODY via a shell holder. It's kind of like a short section of a barrel chamber that is cut short enough that about 3/8" of both ends of the case sticks out. The down side is that it is probably a little slower than other trimmers and you need seperate holder for each specific shell. However, many shells will work in the same holder, i.e., .270 Win, .280 REM, 25-06, 30-05, 35 Whelen, or 22-250, 250 Savage, 300 Savage. You get the idea. The shell holders are very cheap, about $6.00 at Midway. What makes the trimmer so accurate is that the shell is held in position based on the headspace of the case. Other trimmers hold by the case head which CAN be a few thousands out of square depending on the bolt face of the gun.
As far as too short goes... .010 short is just about perfect. TOO long and your chamber pressures can climb dramatically.

If you just want blastin' ammo, any other trimmers will work perfectly. If you want super accuracy and consistantcy. Look at the WILSON. Also, the WILSON has primer pocket reamers and inside neck reamers that work in conjunction with the case trimmer. It's a sooper system!

Offline Blowtorch53

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Re: Need a recomendation for a case trimmer
« Reply #10 on: October 31, 2006, 04:23:58 PM »
Buckfever,


Get the Lee trimmers.  Order a cutter & lockstud, a chamfering & deburring tool, and a set of length gauges with shellholders for all your calibers that Lee makes.  The cutter & lockstud is $4.50 and the length gauges are $3.50 at Midway.  Anyone who sells Lee stuff will have them.  Don't buy the ball cutter unless you want to do it slowly and get hand cramps!  The shell holder for each caliber comes with the gauge.  None of your shellholders for your dies will work.  Chuck it up in a drill, run in the gauge with the cutterhead until it stops cutting, hit it gently with the chamfering and deburring tool inside and outside the neck, and it is perfect.  DO NOT put a razor edge on the casemouth...just a slight bevel so you feel no burrs.  You get really fast at it after only a few tries.  It is foolproof and cheap!  You can also check your case lengths just by setting the thing up and running a few sample cases.  If it doesn't cut,  it's not too long. 

Blowtorch
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