If You Hate Prepping Brass

[686 Shooter]

Prepping brass has to be the most tedious part of our hobby, or I think so anyway. And I bet there are a lot of folks that agree with me. I'm one of those guys you see picking up brass at the range so I wanted the find something to make prepping it as quick and easy as possible. I present to you.....



My Lyman Case Prep Xpress. It has five separate stations. I have them set up for (clockwise):

1 Trimming. Here's the best part for speeding the whole process up. I found an adapter on Ebay for $30 that holds the Lee case trimmers.
2 Outside chamfer,
3 Primer pocket cleaner,
4 Primer pocket uniformer,
5 Inside chamfer.

It comes with everything to set up for both large and small primer pockets. It also includes primer pocket reamers for removing crimps. I don't like them though and use a RCBS swager for that. Having everything spinning right in front of you makes the process about as quick and easy as you can get.

The Lyman unit requires a little bit of cash to get set up ($199.99 at Cabelas right now) but I think its worth every dime if you prep brass for reloading.

 

[Mystic Precision]

There are faster and easier ways to trim and deburr your cases.



The gold base Forster trimmer has a 3 in 1 deburr trim head. One pass, 3 operations are done... and it is very precise and adjustable.

Also, can be used to help with outside neck turning... red unit... and takes up less room.

Similar investment.. I think more useful. Power comes from a 12V driver... or hand power

Jerry

 

[Ryan.M.Anderson]

C'mon guys - Giraud trimmer for the win!

I may never get value out of it (as it is not cheap) but man do I hate prepping brass so it is worth it.

 

[Sniffer]

C'mon guys - Giraud trimmer for the win!

I may never get value out of it (as it is not cheap) but man do I hate prepping brass so it is worth it.

Giraud - 3 processes (trim/chamfer inside and outside) in one smack

Is it the powered stand alone version or the individual trimmers that attach to a drill?

 

[Mystic Precision]

C'mon guys - Giraud trimmer for the win!

I may never get value out of it (as it is not cheap) but man do I hate prepping brass so it is worth it.

The version I tried (works like a pencil sharpener) worked great BUT it is set up for one chamber... gets real expensive with the number of different chambers I need to process.

The forster 3 in 1 head does the same thing and infinitely adjustable so I can use for any cartridge in that caliber. Get another head for other calibers... dirt cheap by comparision and similarly fast to use.

Jerry

 

[russm86]

There are faster and easier ways to trim and deburr your cases.

View attachment 110851

The gold base Forster trimmer has a 3 in 1 deburr trim head. One pass, 3 operations are done... and it is very precise and adjustable.

Also, can be used to help with outside neck turning... red unit... and takes up less room.

Similar investment.. I think more useful. Power comes from a 12V driver... or hand power

Jerry

But you have to adjust the whole setup for different OAL every time you switch to a different cartridge. Not only does this add time, especially if you are OCD like me, that needs it exact within .000", but having to set the OAL length again every time also leaves a LOT more room for error/inconsistency. The lee length gauge trimmer setup can be threaded into the cutter base to your desired OAL and then left for eternity, never to be adjusted again, always the exact same...

 

[russm86]

Prepping brass has to be the most tedious part of our hobby, or I think so anyway. And I bet there are a lot of folks that agree with me. I'm one of those guys you see picking up brass at the range so I wanted the find something to make prepping it as quick and easy as possible. I present to you.....



My Lyman Case Prep Xpress. It has five separate stations. I have them set up for (clockwise):

1 Trimming. Here's the best part for speeding the whole process up. I found an adapter on Ebay for $30 that holds the Lee case trimmers.
2 Outside chamfer,
3 Primer pocket cleaner,
4 Primer pocket uniformer,
5 Inside chamfer.

It comes with everything to set up for both large and small primer pockets. It also includes primer pocket reamers for removing crimps. I don't like them though and use a RCBS swager for that. Having everything spinning right in front of you makes the process about as quick and easy as you can get.

The Lyman unit requires a little bit of cash to get set up ($199.99 at Cabelas right now) but I think its worth every dime if you prep brass for reloading.

You realize that Lee actually makes a threaded cutter for that setup now right? Look up Lee part # 90468. No need for the whole extra adapter thingy...

 

[686 Shooter]

You realize that Lee actually makes a threaded cutter for that setup now right? Look up Lee part # 90468. No need for the whole extra adapter thingy...

I was not aware of that. Oh well.

 

[Mystic Precision]

But you have to adjust the whole setup for different OAL every time you switch to a different cartridge. Not only does this add time, especially if you are OCD like me, that needs it exact within .000", but having to set the OAL length again every time also leaves a LOT more room for error/inconsistency. The lee length gauge trimmer setup can be threaded into the cutter base to your desired OAL and then left for eternity, never to be adjusted again, always the exact same...

That is correct if you want the dimensions that LEE gives you.

What if you want it longer or shorter then the Lee fixed length cutter? What happens when the cutter wears and the next one is different?

Assume you don't get into custom chambers and reamers much.....

To set up my OAL, I use a case that is already cut to the length I want... adjust the cutter, tighten the lock bolt, trim and confirm... away you go.

No real loss of time in the bigger scheme of things... and the best part, case length doesn't matter as long as it is LESS then the chamber. And yes, I have tested this on target many times.

Jerry

 

[Percussion]

There are faster and easier ways to trim and deburr your cases.

View attachment 110851

The gold base Forster trimmer has a 3 in 1 deburr trim head. One pass, 3 operations are done... and it is very precise and adjustable.

Also, can be used to help with outside neck turning... red unit... and takes up less room.

Similar investment.. I think more useful. Power comes from a 12V driver... or hand power

Jerry

Where can one find this trimmer? In canada i mean.

 

[686 Shooter]

That is correct if you want the dimensions that LEE gives you.

What if you want it longer or shorter then the Lee fixed length cutter? What happens when the cutter wears and the next one is different?

Assume you don't get into custom chambers and reamers much.....

To set up my OAL, I use a case that is already cut to the length I want... adjust the cutter, tighten the lock bolt, trim and confirm... away you go.

No real loss of time in the bigger scheme of things... and the best part, case length doesn't matter as long as it is LESS then the chamber. And yes, I have tested this on target many times.

Jerry

My set up is not meant for custom cartridges. I'm not a competition shooter, I reload to save money and because I enjoy it. If my reloads shoot within one inch at 100 yards I'm happy. This set up works great for that. Just put the calibre of cutter in the adapter and away you go. The Lee cutters I have all seem to cut very close to the minimum recommended length, 1.752 for 223, 2.008 for 308 and 2.488 for 30-06. Not exactly what the recommended trim lengths are, but plenty close enough for the accuracy I expect from my rifles. And I have yet to have one wear, but I only load about 1,000 rounds a year.

My set up won't work for everyone, that's for sure. But for the average schmuck like me it's perfect.

 

[686 Shooter]

Oops. Ignore this one.

 

[Gatehouse]

I trim on the drill press. Brass shavings really fly!

 

[russm86]

That is correct if you want the dimensions that LEE gives you.

What if you want it longer or shorter then the Lee fixed length cutter? What happens when the cutter wears and the next one is different?

Assume you don't get into custom chambers and reamers much.....

To set up my OAL, I use a case that is already cut to the length I want... adjust the cutter, tighten the lock bolt, trim and confirm... away you go.

No real loss of time in the bigger scheme of things... and the best part, case length doesn't matter as long as it is LESS then the chamber. And yes, I have tested this on target many times.

Jerry

Yea, you are probably right, no gain/loss either way really in the grand scheme of things and I agree regarding length of the brass affecting anything with the exception of crimping. FYI though, for the Lee, the threads on the bottom of the actual length gauge part are split so that it is a tight fit regardless of how far you thread it into the cutter base so you can adjust your OAL just by how much you thread it in/out, i have found threaded in all the way it generally cuts to a bit under SAAMI spec so you can get a fair bit of range to set the OAL to your liking. Once you set it the first time you don't have to tinker with it again. I have yet to wear any cutters out but if/when you do, same process you just thread the gauge into a new cutter and set it the first time with your calipers and away you go.

 

[adamg]

Prepping brass has to be the most tedious part of our hobby, or I think so anyway. And I bet there are a lot of folks that agree with me. I'm one of those guys you see picking up brass at the range so I wanted the find something to make prepping it as quick and easy as possible. I present to you.....



My Lyman Case Prep Xpress. It has five separate stations. I have them set up for (clockwise):

1 Trimming. Here's the best part for speeding the whole process up. I found an adapter on Ebay for $30 that holds the Lee case trimmers.
2 Outside chamfer,
3 Primer pocket cleaner,
4 Primer pocket uniformer,
5 Inside chamfer.

It comes with everything to set up for both large and small primer pockets. It also includes primer pocket reamers for removing crimps. I don't like them though and use a RCBS swager for that. Having everything spinning right in front of you makes the process about as quick and easy as you can get.

The Lyman unit requires a little bit of cash to get set up ($199.99 at Cabelas right now) but I think its worth every dime if you prep brass for reloading.

So you've recreated the Frankford Arsenal Prep system. I don't understand what's special here.
[Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Case Prep and Trim System]

 

[Mystic Precision]

Where can one find this trimmer? In canada i mean.

I offer all Forster products.. email or PM.

The outside neck cutting part has been backordered for months.. no clue why but it will be a wait.

Everything else is either here or next shipment away.

PM or Email. Thanks

Jerry

 

[Mystic Precision]

My set up is not meant for custom cartridges. I'm not a competition shooter, I reload to save money and because I enjoy it. If my reloads shoot within one inch at 100 yards I'm happy. This set up works great for that. Just put the calibre of cutter in the adapter and away you go. The Lee cutters I have all seem to cut very close to the minimum recommended length, 1.752 for 223, 2.008 for 308 and 2.488 for 30-06. Not exactly what the recommended trim lengths are, but plenty close enough for the accuracy I expect from my rifles. And I have yet to have one wear, but I only load about 1,000 rounds a year.

My set up won't work for everyone, that's for sure. But for the average schmuck like me it's perfect.

Then you have the right set up for yourself. If you decide that you want better/different, happy to help.

Jerry

 

[EC]

C'mon guys - Giraud trimmer for the win!

I may never get value out of it (as it is not cheap) but man do I hate prepping brass so it is worth it.

Second the Giraud. I have the powered case trimmer and while it was pricey my only gripe was I should have bought it sooner, I hate prepping brass as much as the next guy and it was worth every penny in my opinion. I had a Wilson stainless trimmer with the micrometer adjustment and though very accurate it was also very slow and only trimmed. The Giraud trims, chamfers,and deburs at once and does it fast and accurate. I now trim every time because it takes no time at all. I hand load for 308 Win and 6.5 CM and have separate cutters so switching between calibers is fast as well.

 

[Stevo]

Just got this in the mail. According to my buddy who has one, you don't have to deburr, but still to chamfer. It will be way faster than my Lyman crank trimmer.

 

[686 Shooter]

So you've recreated the Frankford Arsenal Prep system. I don't understand what's special here.
[Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Case Prep and Trim System]

There is nothing "special" here. I found a set up that I thought worked well and figured I would share it. I thought it may give someone an idea, inspiration, or an option if they are looking for a case prep station.

I never used the Frankford unit, I'm sure it works great as well.