Author Topic: What's your favorite case trimmer? (Read 1393 times)

leverfan · « **on:** January 02, 2005, 01:59:48 PM »

For years, I've been adding to a huge collection of Lee case length gauges and lock studs, spinning them with a drill, or sometimes blistering my fingers when I trim a lot of cases far from electricity. No more! I'm upgrading to something with a hand crank and adjustable length. The largest case I'll ever be likely to trim would be .416 Rigby. Because I often reload away from home, I'd prefer a trimmer that runs on manual power. I'd really like to hear from some experienced reloaders that have used a few different competing models over the years. I'm leaning towards the Lyman Universal trimmer with 9 pilot multi-pack (although I'll have to add a few to cover some of my odd-ball calibers). I might also get the power adapter, for when I'm loading at home. What are you folks using? And, does anyone want a bunch of Lee trimmers?

rickyp · « **Reply #1 on:** January 02, 2005, 04:22:17 PM »

I love the lee trimmers. there is no way for them to be out of adjustment all the cases will always be the same lenth. it is slow

I have had a lyman case trimmer and it worked well but it needs to be mounted in some way

MGMorden · « **Reply #2 on:** January 02, 2005, 04:58:44 PM »

Hmm. I only used the Lee trimmers so I can't comment on any of those, but have you tried the Zip-trim? It's an atachment for the Lee equipment that you pull with a string and it rotates the case. Should be a quick way to trim when away from power. I've never used that myself (I always reload in the shed out back so the power drill is always available), but it seems like it might work well for you. Just a thought.

arky65 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2005, 05:23:15 PM »

i use the lee trimmer for standard cases and love it. when i got into wildcats i got the forster it is slow and have to make space for it at the bench. i bought the power adapter for it put have not had to trim any of the wildcats since i got it.

arky65

leverfan · « **Reply #4 on:** January 02, 2005, 09:04:55 PM »

One of my beefs with the Lee trimmers is having to buy a new case length gauge for every new cartridge that I load for. I added up what I already had into them the other day, and it was a sobering figure.

Also, you can't use them to trim a bunch of cases down to uniform length, unless the cases are too long (or you can take a file to the pin on the case length gauge). When I get a new batch of pistol brass, it's often shorter than the Lee gauge, but the lengths aren't uniform, so that means my crimps aren't as uniform as I'd like. Maybe I'm just getting picky as I get older, but I'd like to be able to set my trimmer to match the shortest case in the batch, then trim all the cases to that.

The adjustable nature of the crank style trimmers also makes a lot more sense for wildcats and unusual cartridges. Heck, I had to special order a Lee case length gauge just for my 260 Remington (Lee has since added this as a standard item, so maybe my special order with hand etched caliber will be a rarity). A single .264" pilot for a crank trimmer will handle anything that comes my way in 6.5mm.

I guess I have a lot of reasons for giving up on the Lee system, which is why I didn't include the Zip Trim in the poll, although I've heard good things about it. Any crank style trimmer I get will be mounted to a board, and then C-clamped where ever I need it to be.

Thanks for the votes and comments so far, please keep them coming. I'll be placing an order with Midsouth tomorrow night. I'm planning on ordering the "winning" trimmer, along with a Redding T-7 turret press. The old loading bench is getting upgraded for some winter projects. :grin:

Daniel · « **Reply #5 on:** January 03, 2005, 04:45:29 AM »

Wilson makes the best trimmer I've ever used. It's very precise and case mouths come out absolutely square.

LMM · « **Reply #6 on:** January 03, 2005, 09:12:56 AM »

Lee is my choice.

drags · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2005, 10:15:39 AM »

wilson

huntsman · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2005, 02:29:41 PM »

Lee

After using it for a while, I've gotten to where I can fine tune my trims to nearest .01 inch from any length case by adjusting the number of turns of the case. More accurate and efficient than the crank outfits I have tried. I don't do high volumes, though, usually only 50 or less per session. I measure each case first, then use the proper number of turns to get the desired length. About 9 times out of ten it's dead on to the right length. The ball handle option really makes it easier on the hands and easier to get an accurate trim on each turn.

BTW, at $3.59 each, the case length gauge and shellholders for each caliber are not expensive at all. You can make that up on the first 20 rounds you reload. Most of the other trimmers have shell holders or similar cartridge-specific parts that are far more expensive than the Lee case length guage and shellholder combo.

adirondacker · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2005, 03:44:13 PM »

i use the lee system for most standard cartridges,odd-ball or wildcat stuff.i use the lyman trimmer with the cutter that resembles the lee,it has multiple knives and is more than .510 dia.,not like an ald one i had that was like one blade,talk about blisters with that.anyway,i converted the lyman to a hex shank drive,use electric screwdriver,drill,etc.

a good trick for the lee sytem is to mount your cutter,and a couple of chamfering tools into the front of your bench or drill holes in a piece of aluminum block,or even hardwood and attach that to your bench.drill three holes ,cutter,then chamfer inside,chamfer outside,put acouple of set screws in perpindicular to these holes to hold each cutter in place.when ready to trim, screw your case length gauge into the cutter,chuck up your lock stud,insert a case ,trim,inside, outside chamfer as necessary eject case and so on.seems to be a little easier on the fingers.only thing that moves is your driver.shawn

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2005, 05:08:47 PM »

i use the lee trimmers but the only thing is they dont have none common sets ie i nead one for a 357 max an 7tcu so thats why i have a lyman acculine i got it on e bay for like 10$ with the outside cuter an power cutter atactment, then found a pack of 20 collets for another 10 but i still cant help grabing for the lee cutters an watchen tv while im doing it
so simple
but once again soon as u get a wild cat its back to the lyman

leverfan · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2005, 05:39:41 PM »

Quote from: huntsman

BTW, at $3.59 each, the case length gauge and shellholders for each caliber are not expensive at all.

It starts to get expensive after you pass about 15 or 20, especially when you have to special order some of them for about $15 a pop for unusual rounds.

If I buy a trimmer kit with a universal collet and several pilots, I'll only have to buy a couple of pilots to handle odd ball diameters that aren't included in most kits (like .264", .416", etc.).

Since my wife started cowboy action shooting, and I intend to do the same eventually, I'm moving from moderate volume reloader to high volume. Spinning cases in the drill while I trim them with a Lee cutter, chamfer, and debur them is easy, and sometimes I even polish them a little. Spinning them by hand at the range while I develope loads with my portable reloading set up isn't fun. Also, I'm about to add several new cartridges to the collection, and I just didn't want to lay out the money for that many new Lee gauges. Several of them would be the expensive, special order type, as they're old black powder cartridges. I'd rather use the money to buy a crank trimmer with power adapter.

I've been using Lee trimmers for a lot of years, they're not bad, but they don't do what I need anymore.

Thanks again for the votes and the comments, everyone. I've been looking up many of the trimmers that I failed to include in my original poll. It's hard to choose, but I'm finding out about some I hadn't heard much about before.

Dand · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2005, 07:32:30 PM »

Back when I bought my Lyman Univ. most competing brands had fancy collets and a bunch of extre stuff. My lyman has worked well for many years. One thing, I replaced the hex socket set screws with big filister head screws - I was rounding out those hex sockets. I mounted the trimmer on a small piece of 1x4 that lets me hold the trimmer with my free left hand - when not in use I put in on a shelf and keep my bench clear. I've bought one replacement cutter. I like that I can trim any case up to the 348 win (which has the max case head diameter that can squeaze into the shell holder) and can insert and remove most cases veryquickly.

Just remember my fingers cramping using the Lee trimmers on a couple hundred 41 mag cases and 50 30-30 cases.

Patriot_1776 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 04, 2005, 07:48:23 PM »

I've found my RCBS Trim Pro to be adequate for my needs. I don't shoot as much as I'd like, so I don't have to really trim very often. BTW, I like RCBS's shell-holders for their trimmer; the sizes can be used for other cartridges. For instance: The #3 shellholder can be used for the 300Wby, the 7mm RUM, and possibly the 223 WSSM. Why? All because the case heads are very close to the same dia. if not exact. So, I pretty much have all my trimming needs covered by RCBS products. What makes setting the trimmer to the right length real easy using the hex-screws, is as simple as measuring a case already the trim-to size, pop it on, adjust and tighten, your all set! Simplicity at work. :wink:

-Patriot

jackfish · « **Reply #14 on:** January 05, 2005, 05:07:00 AM »

Redding 1400

superhornet · « **Reply #15 on:** January 06, 2005, 05:13:35 AM »

LEE----they are so simple that even a Senator from massachusetts could use one.

leverfan · « **Reply #16 on:** January 06, 2005, 12:56:42 PM »

Quote from: superhornet

LEE----they are so simple that even a Senator from massachusetts could use one.

:-D

You're giving him more credit than I would, but that was still funny!

Maybe it should come down to what I call the "shoe box test." If the number of calibers you reload for is small enough that you can fit all of your Lee trimmers (in packaging) into a single shoe box, stick with them. If, like me, you find yourself hunting for another shoe box, it may be time to move to a different system. One lucky poster here is already going to be receiving a small shoe box full of some of my Lee trim gauges and such, so he'll be a two-shoe box guy, if he has very many already!

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #17 on:** January 06, 2005, 02:23:08 PM »

um with that shoe box thats going to be coming i would put me at about 4 box's lol
an i got two crank trimmers too hehe

legolas · « **Reply #18 on:** January 07, 2005, 08:43:37 AM »

Quote from: MGMorden

Hmm. I only used the Lee trimmers so I can't comment on any of those, but have you tried the Zip-trim? It's an atachment for the Lee equipment that you pull with a string and it rotates the case. Should be a quick way to trim when away from power. I've never used that myself (I always reload in the shed out back so the power drill is always available), but it seems like it might work well for you. Just a thought.

MgMorden:
I have used the Lee Zip Trim along with the Lee Shell holders and guages to trim my 30-06 and hot 357 magum loads (350 rounds ata a timeon the 357). Let me tell you - they are mighty quick for a manually powered tool! What is good with this set up is the ability to do quick chamfering jobs when the cutter goes a little deeper than usual (due to excessive pressures). I got mine at a distressed price as Lee sometimes does Discounts on factory seconds or used equipment ($12.00 back in 98)

stork · « **Reply #19 on:** January 07, 2005, 10:08:59 AM »

I have a Wilson and I love it for the same reasons Daniel stated.

Bearwolf31 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 04, 2005, 06:26:01 AM »

For the price its hard to beat the Lee case length gauges, lock studs, and a cordless drill. It's all I use and takes no time to trim and chamfer a bag of brass.

AZ223 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 04, 2005, 10:43:38 AM »

I use the Lee's too. My volume isn't that high yet, and I'm still on a shoestring budget. May have to try the drill though; my fingers get sore after a while...

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #22 on:** February 04, 2005, 01:22:06 PM »

Drill press.

I use a Lee cutter and make my pilots to suit from brass roundhead screws. Use the stop to set length and I flat fly.

Drill press is as important to my reloading as the regular press is for sane people. I don't even have a press for 28 gauge. Do all that on the drill press.

Gregory · « **Reply #23 on:** February 04, 2005, 03:00:57 PM »

I have a Hornady case trimmer.........but I hate case trimming. to me it's a chore. :x

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #24 on:** February 04, 2005, 11:08:28 PM »

i use an rcbs power trimmer but the main reason i bought it was to make .41 special brass out of .41 mag.

MickinColo · « **Reply #25 on:** February 05, 2005, 04:47:57 AM »

I also use the RCBS power trimmer and a RCBS trim mate. I dont like trimming cases either and these 2 machines make quick work of a boring chore. I just dont stop with trimming the case to length but also debur the flash hole and square the bottom of the primer pocket too.
:-)

Toobroke · « **Reply #26 on:** February 07, 2005, 01:12:44 AM »

L.E. Wilson!

gdolby · « **Reply #27 on:** February 11, 2005, 08:42:10 PM »

Good day gentlemen, Maybe I missed it but I didn't see trim dies mentioned anywhere. Are they that unused or are they off topic?Good day and fun shootin...B

bigdaddytacp · « **Reply #28 on:** February 12, 2005, 01:08:21 PM »

Quote from: gdolby

Good day gentlemen, Maybe I missed it but I didn't see trim dies mentioned anywhere. Are they that unused or are they off topic?Good day and fun shootin...B

.To me trim dies work well for the one or two caliber reloader who doesn't have a lot of space...BUT ..they are expensive for one caliber and for the price of 2 or 3 you can buy a decent trimmer or use a Lee hand trimmer and the lathe type trimmers allow some adjustment for your chamber length, I like the RCBS trim pro for the quick and easy change of cases in the trimmer with the lever and I get good consistant results with good cases......for other uses I like the Forster due to the outside neck turner attachment and other attachments and the precise collet fit on the Forster....I make a cradle for a elect. screwdriver to drive both of the trimmers and that makes the chore much easier.........for the most precise trimming.....the Wilson is hard to beat.....good luck and good shooting-loading!!

Poll

What's your favorite manual/convertable trimmer?

Author Topic: What's your favorite case trimmer? (Read 1393 times)