Best Case Trimmer?

[Rayco3]

What are your favorite case trimmers.  I tried the Lee cutter with the ball handle and in 44 it trimmed consistently too short, and in 45 the top was too wide to allow the case to slide all the way up too reach the cutters.  Thinking I need to try a conventional setup.  What are your opinions?

[quickdtoo]

I use the Lee trimmers for about 15 different rifle cartridges, never had a problem, but I don't do any pistol rounds. For cartridges that Lee doesn't make a length gauge for, I use the Lyman Universal, seems to work good, although setup is kind of a pain.

Tim

[BigJakeJ1s]

With 45 colt, either trim before you resize, or after you expand. I use a universal deprimer prior to tumbling or resizing. Then I trim with the Lee trimmer.

Andy

[Rayco3]

Andy -

Isn't it best to trim after you resize and before you expand?  Why is this different for the 45 Colt.?  Is that the case with all straight walled pistol cartidges?  Thanks.

[Lloyd Smale]

best one hands down is the rcbs power trimmer but its expensive. Worth it to me though as i HATE trimming brass

[dw06]

I like the hornady trimmer the best,being able to use same shell holders as loading press makes it fast and easy.Also like the adjustments on it.

[Davemuzz]

I use the Lee cutter and shell holder for the drill. But for the drill, I use the small hand held Skill battery powerd rechargable drill. The nice part about this is you dont have to lean over a bench or be in the same position all the time.  You can sit back and put the brass in the holder, spin it with the cutter, chamfer it, ream the primer hole (if you do that) and yer done.

The Skill drill battery last forever. I also throw this little drill in my T\C bag and use it to swap my barrels at the range. Yeah....lazy but quick, and no stripped screws ever.

Here is what it looks like:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a212/davemuzz/DSC00150.jpg

[quickdtoo]

Right on!! I recently ordered the Lee cutter with ball handle, easier to hold! I do all my trimmin then champfering and deburring while hooked up to a cordless screwdriver with a paper towel in my lap to catch the trimmings while watching TV!! Makes case prep not such a drag!!

Tim

[R.W.Dale]

 I like the lee system because you don't even have to pick up your calipers to ensure brass is trimmed properly.

 I'm suprized that you have 54lc brass that actuallu needs trimming. I've never actually seen a straight walled pistol case grow

[cwlongshot]

 Dave thats a cute little bugger!! GREAT IDEA!!!

 I have used this trimmer and really like it for deer camp!!

 i can bring allong some cases and trim before bed!!! 

CW

[BigJakeJ1s]

Andy -

Isn't it best to trim after you resize and before you expand?  Why is this different for the 45 Colt.?  Is that the case with all straight walled pistol cartidges?  Thanks.

With straight wall pistol cartridges, it really does not matter; the length is not going to grow much as a result of resizing, and even if it did (i.e. bottleneck cases), it might change again after expanding (bottleneck pistol cartridges), so it would be best to do it after expanding the case mouth. The pilot does not fit in the mouth if the case has been resized, but not yet expanded. I think the instructions said so, but they're long since lost...  I don't know about bottleneck cartridges, but I suspect it is the same with all straight wall cases. I use a universal depriming die to deprime, then trim if needed (not very often), then tumble and thr rest of the reloading process.

Andy

[handyman06]

i used to use the lee ball handle and a cordless power drill and i thought it was fine then a few years ago i inherited a forster case trimmer and i like it alot better although i think its alot more expensive unless you don't already have a cordless drill then it might be cheaper. you need a different pilot for each bore dia not caliber for example a .257 pilot will do all .25 calibers 25/05 .257 roberts etc. i think these pilots are around $6 ea. when i got mine it just had a 6mm pilot so i made the rest on a 9"x12" mini lathe, pretty simple job if you happen to have a lathe. the standard shell holder works for everything i shoot except 22 hornet and i think they make one for it. as far as i can tell the speed is about the same except its easier on my hands, they don't get sore. setup when switching calibers takes a little longer, but you can play with whatever length you want. i had some once fired rem brass that hadnt stretched enough for the lee cutter to touch so i measured the lot and trimmed them all to match the shortest one, so all would be equal. its funny i did all that work and i dont even remember now if that helped groups, but with the forstner you can do that if want to. hope that helps!

[Tn Jim]

I've been using the Lee case trimmer since '91. Started with the 30-06 and now have one for six different caliburs. Just chuck it in my drill and go to town. Never had any problem and still have yet to wear one out. For around $6 you can't beat them.

[Glanceblamm]

That pilot is tight on the .45 colt
I like to trim after resizing.  I chucked the pilot up in a drill press and used a piece of crocus cloth held taught to turn it down just a bit. Had a case with me to check my progress frequently. Your eyeball can easily see this right angle and alignment of the cloth is easy.

My Trimmer..grumble..grumble.. Is the manual RCBS rotary case trimmer. It really isnt too bad..grumble..if you do like they say and mount it to a board, and use a clamp to mount it to the bench.
With everything straight, square, & secure,  it does seem to do precision work.

[Coyote Hunter]

Andy -

Isn't it best to trim after you resize and before you expand?  Why is this different for the 45 Colt.?  Is that the case with all straight walled pistol cartidges?  Thanks.

My RCBS pilots do not allow trimming before expansion.

[Swamp Yankee]

Well, I like the Forster case trimmer. I find it easy to set up and use. It gives repeatable accurate results and I can trim large batches in no time...Jim