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Author Topic: Reloading the process and case trimming  (Read 327 times)

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Offline 1911crazy

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Reloading the process and case trimming
« on: February 19, 2005, 03:31:24 AM »
I have reloaded since the early 70's but not in large lots like at one time like i'm doing now.  I'm running 5 gallon buckets of shot onlt once empty cases.  I kind of figured out a process which makes it easy.  First I throw then into the tumbler with corn media to rough clean them,  then I use a decapper die,  then I trim the case to the proper length,  chamfer the neck & clean the primer pocket and its back into the tumbler with walnut media with a little brass polish, then there ready to prime and load again.
Now with case trimming that was my biggest problem and a pain in my butt with the hand crank case trimming setup.  My problem is I wanted a power trimmer but i didn't want to drop big dollars into one.  I did some research and i found a Lee Trimmer that can be worked in a drill that was priced very reasonable. I purchased the LEE Cutter & Lock Stud #90110 this goes into the drill its the driver setup so only one is needed. The I purchased the LEE Case Length Gauge and Shell Holder in 308win. caliber. Now one of these is needed for every caliber.  Then I purchased the LEE Cutter with Ball Grip # 90275 (optional).  I set it up in my rechargeable 9.6v drill I went thru about 250 cases with ease.  The boring part of reloading to me is case trimming and the LEE products sure has changed it.                                                        BigBill

I found these at MidwayUSA.com here's the numbers and prices;

Lee Cutter & Lock Stud......Lee#90110....Midway#476992..price  $3.19
Lee Case Length Gauge&Shell holder."308win"..Lee#90139....................  Midway#271467......................price $3.19..............................................
Lee Cutter w/ball grip lee#90275......midway #136199...........price $4.39


If you can't find the Lee Case Length Gauge & Shell Holder in the trimmer section then go to the rifle die section because there listed in that section too there in with the same caliber rifle dies in the LEE brand section.  It can't be any cheaper and easier than this!!!!
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Offline jh45gun

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Reloading the process and case trimming
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2005, 08:50:46 AM »
Yea I am going the lee trim route also. I have not had much problems with stretching yet as the cases I have reloaded so far have been with mild cast loads but I noticed after one shooting the 6.5x55 cases stretched so that will be the first case trimmer I get. Yea Lee makes good stuff I do not care what the naysayers say about it. Reasonable too.
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Said I never had much use for one, never said I didn't know how to use it.

Offline 1911crazy

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Reloading the process and case trimming
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2005, 12:57:14 PM »
I purchased a lot of LEE's products recently like their reloading dies in all my calibers and another $17 press too for decapping and assembling.  I use my RCBS Rockchucker for resizing.  All the LEE stuff looks good and there has been deals lately on reloading starting kits.  If i was just starting out I wou;ld go the LEE way for sure.  Just checkout the prices on MidwayUSA.  Reloading is getting to the point it isn't cheap anymore in both the tools to do it and the bullets/components too.  I try to save $$ were i can and with the LEE stuff i'm not giving up a quality product either I've had no problem so far with there stuff.               BigBill
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Offline Nightrain52

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Reloading the process and case trimming
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2005, 05:11:31 PM »
When you chuck your cases in the Lee case spinner I use one of the green Scotch scouring pads for rough cleaning and then a final pass with 000 or 0000 steel wool. Cases look like brand new. You can also chamfer the case mouths inside and outside while in the drill. 8)
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Offline jh45gun

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Reloading the process and case trimming
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2005, 06:04:19 PM »
Good Tips Nighttrain. I use a tumbler but for folks who do not have one this would be a good way to polish your brass. A bit of Flitz polish on a cloth or some Polish called Happich's Simichrome ( I heard you can get it at motorcyle shops). Read about a gizmo which is called a K spinner that is like a small mandrel you can put in a drill and polish brass the same way. Read that in the ABC's of Reloading by Dean A Grennell. Jim
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Said I never had much use for one, never said I didn't know how to use it.

Offline 1911crazy

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Reloading the process and case trimming
« Reply #5 on: February 20, 2005, 02:20:39 AM »
I have used the Simichrome polish for years on motorcycles polishing aluminum and chrome rims and spokes.  On guns I have also polished bolts and don't throw away the used stuff on the rag I have also polished the bluing on the guns very lightly on some of my swede's with perfect bluing it brings out the luster like it was brand new again.  I have used it on stainless steel revolvers too to keep them new looking.

I never had a tumbler in my 30+ years of reloading off and on.  I decieded to get something when i'm looking at 5 gallon buckets of empty cases to clean.  Years ago i was doing 100 at a time but they stayed looking good and they didn't tarnish till now.           BigBill
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