RCBS 3-Way Cutting Head or Case Prep Center?

S

Spine

New member
Rating - 100%
24   0   0
Location
Guelph
Hello,

I am looking into speeding up my reloading process for .223.

I have already bought a RCBS Trim Pro and attached a drill to it so now I can trim cases quite quickly, but am still using my old LEE style holder and tool to debur and chamfer the cases after trimming them and this seems to take a long time.

I think I have narrowed my next purchase down to either a RCBS case prep center OR the 3-way cutter head which apparently deburs and chamfers as well as trims all in one step.

Reading reviews on midway usa I can see some negatives of both, the case prep being that it is sometimes hard to hold the brass and is tiring on the hands, but also read that the 3-way head doesn't always do a great job either and can sometimes flare out the case mouth.

Has anyone had any experience using either or can you provide me some advice on what I should be looking at getting next?

Thanks!
 
I had one. It actually fits on the Hornady trimmer as well. I found that it scratched the the inside of the necks. I tried honing and polishing it, but it didn't fully solve the problem.

The concept is good, but the parts are poorly made.
 
The 3 way cutter works well and doesn't flare the mouth if it is set up correctly.

The only downside is that it can be finicky to set up the first time you use it.
 
the three way cutter is a great tool.......its just not a tool for every one..as they will be a ##### to set up , the settings for three cutters...
but anyone with a bit of mechanical or machining hands on experience will figure them out
 
I'm doing my case prep on a Lee zip trim and putting primer tools in a drill or drill press.

My process and tools for 1x/new Rifle brass when I feel its needed.

1 Tumble and FL size brass, clean off lube or re-tumble
2 Set in Lee zip trim and trim with Lee cutter, chamfer/debur, debur flash hole
3 Remove primer crimp if Milspec with either RCBS Swager or Lyman Reamer
4 Uniform primer pocket with Lyman bit in drill (just got new Sinlcair bit)
5 Slightly debur outside of flash hole
6 Reload

In future I tumble/size, clean primer pocket with reamer, and check for trim length and just trim with Lee and chamfer as needed


If I was going to spend the money for high volume trimming I think I would go right to the Giraud Trimmer and set it up in .308 and .223 for faster trim/chamfering
 
at first just play with the length cutter...once you get that set up were you want it,try the inside bevel or the out side bevel cutter..
take it one step at a time;)
 
Spine said:
Hello,

I am looking into speeding up my reloading process for .223.
Click to expand...

If you want raw speed, an on-press dillon 1200B is unbeatable.

If you want pure precision, the Wilson system. It's slower than a Giraud etc., but faster than typical trimmers and unbeatably precise.

Video showing 1200B in operation:

[youtube]wBQ_vJHiGek[/youtube]
 
I did a mod similar to this one for my case prep center.

[youtube]JZGkWUtKz4k[/youtube]
 
acrashb said:
If you want raw speed, an on-press dillon 1200B is unbeatable.

If you want pure precision, the Wilson system. It's slower than a Giraud etc., but faster than typical trimmers and unbeatably precise.

Video showing 1200B in operation:

[youtube]wBQ_vJHiGek[/youtube]
Click to expand...

But, does this process still work without the piano music playing???
 
Hmm, I'd swear I replied to this this morning already.

I have both and I love the 3 way cutter. Definately takes longer to set up, but once it is it's very efficient. As long as you are doing large batches of brass, or just leaving it set up for that caliber, you will be very happy with it.

Somewhere on here was a thread about attaching a foot pedal to the paddle that operates the shell holder, between the three way cutter, the drill attachment, and the foot pedal I expect trimming to go very quickly this winter.

The foot pedal is the only thing I haven't tried yet, but I have built it already, and it looks very promising.
 
fogducker said:
be sure to post a pic when set up eh;)
Click to expand...

My Camera is on the fritz, but when I get that straightened out I will do.

Right now it's pretty simple, I have my RCBS case trimmer set up so the handle hangs over the end of the bench, with some mechanics wire running from the handle down to 2 pieces of 1x4 with a hinge on them. I need to drill a hole in the handle yet, but I discovered that the RCBS Handle must be hardened, as my hand drill won't touch it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom