Best case trimmer for multiple cartridges

tokguy

tokguy

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I tend to be weak on keeping case length optimum. And I shoot Firearms that need it... beauties like 25-20, 30-30 & 30-40 krag.
The Lee System seems weak...it is amazing simple, but requires a specific pilot from each caliber.
Without starting an internet peeing contest ( Lee seems to end up wet and smelly), I would appreciate member feedback on such a thing.
Regards
Tokguy
 
Maybe I will be the contrarian - I had a lathe type trimmer - was thinking absolute case length repeatability was important - whatever brand that I had (Lyman? Hornady?) was a real PITA to reset this year to match exactly to cases that I trimmed last year - and needed a pilot stud for each size bullet. So started with the Lee case gauge trim system. And decided that I preferred it - dead nuts simple and repeatable - nothing to measure - I use RCBS Case Lube-2 - is water soluble - so lube and re-size centre fire case in press, into the spinner stud on an electric drill - Lee case gauge trimmer thing for length, an older RCBS or Wilson chamfer tool on inside and outside of case mouth, then spin case against a damp rag to clean off the lube - on to next case. I thought the Lee system to be inexpensive - now that I have about 25 of them, is maybe that I could have bought whatever I wanted at the start - but a new cartridge rifle, for me, now includes a set of dies, that Lee case gauge system, brass and bullets and a shell holder for that case for the press. Each resizing die set here has a shell holder for press, and the Lee case gauge and its shell holder in the box. If I was to start all over again, I think that I would repeat that scheme.

But, my thinking maybe from "old days" when RCBS shell holders like $3, not $20 something like I see today ...

Some reloading stuff - for some reason, I have duplicate RCBS 7x57 die set ...

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Tokguy:

I've been using one of these for a little over a year now.

3D Printed Drill-Powered Case Trimmer, Similar to WFT

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...mmer-Similar-to-WFT-Plus-Cut-Off-Saw-Trim-Jig


Well made; incredibly fast.

The ONLY downside is it caused a great big blister on my hand. Mind you, that was after trimming an incredible, at least for me, 5,000 cases in 1 day.

Notwithstanding that, I bought a second one this past winter just so I could have one at the cottage & 1 at home.
 
I had the RCBS lathe style, but you needed to change it every cal you did. So I simply went with with the Lee trimmer. 7$ per cutter and lock stud, then about 13$ for the shell plate and guide.

Sure you ended up paying a bit more. But you don't need to constantly change and fool around with the settings. I have a set for 303, 308, 30 carbine and waiting on the guide for 30 Herrett. I just use a little cordless screw driver. So nice to just grab the corresponding one, chuck in a case and giver.
 
I have the RCBS lathe-style one as well, motorized. It comes with a good selection of common pilots, other sizes can be bought. Switching them out is quick.

As far as repeatability goes: keep one trimmed case marked and set aside with the trimmer, whenever you set the trimmer up for that calibre use the marked case to set the length and it's done.
 
For me, the simplest one to use is a Forster, it is also expandable with 3 way cutters and inside reamers and outside turners, add the drill driver attachment and away you go. Just happened to be looking at them, Hirsch has the Classic on at 135.00, but that is without collets and pilots, X-reload was 203.00 with collets and pilots. Classic has the long bed, original has the short bed. I also have a Hornady lathe trimmer and an RCBS powered Trim Pro 2 as well, and a 21st Century w/3way trim and neck turn attachments. I like the shellholder setup on the Forster the best, 21st Century the next best. Both of their 3way cutters are excellent, 21st Century wins on neck turning and adjusting the inside chamfer. 21st Century ain't cheap.
Hornady is OK, need their shellholders though, others don't work in them. Trim pro 2 w/motor has the universal shellholder, which of course has its limitations as all "universal" tools do, and it is bulky.
 
The best? I don't know. I've used both the Lee stud/cutter and the RCBS lathe style.
Both work. As mentioned, the Lee is no measuring required (unless you want to double check). It's been a while since I used it, but I seem to recall it was slower than the RCBS.

Again, as mentioned before, set aside one case with the length marked to use as a gauge for set-up, and confirm the trim length. One thing that tremendously speeds up the RCBS is the 3-way cutter - trims, beburrs and chamfers all at once.

I've also set up my trimmer to use a hex socket screw / driver bit to turn the crank.

cioHOTx.jpg
 
Kezh1729 said:
Giraud if you are willing to spend the money period.
Click to expand...

I'm not cheap, but I tend to not buy the super high end stuff...not a Porsche fella...more a Vee dub guy.
Dad had an RCBS lathe style...I've got a few in Lee...that Lil pencil sharpener looking unit is kinda cheesy. Better to slam the unit into a slow speed drill than to dyck with it... maybe let the grandkids help trim though.
 
tokguy said:
I tend to be weak on keeping case length optimum. And I shoot Firearms that need it... beauties like 25-20, 30-30 & 30-40 krag.
The Lee System seems weak...it is amazing simple, but requires a specific pilot from each caliber.
Without starting an internet peeing contest ( Lee seems to end up wet and smelly), I would appreciate member feedback on such a thing.
Regards
Tokguy
Click to expand...

Use of specific prepared cartridge case "samples" can be a great assist to properly set up lathe style trimmers.

You may also wish to consider the Redding Model 2400 trimmer ....

https://www.redding-reloading.com/online-catalog/77-model-2400-match-precision-case-trimming-lathe
 
I have the Forster trimmer with most of the pilots etc ,and I have one 3 way trimmer but because I trim for 6 calibers I have not yet purchased the 3 way trimmer head for the other 5 .... yet LOL

I also have the Lee trimmer for each cartridge - I use on my Lyman case prep center for these with an attachment to spin the cutter - it doesn't turn overly fast but it allows me to do all my case prep on the same tool.

I also have the WFT with a few of the inserts for some calibers but I dont like how long it takes to adjust when switching calibers and having brass shaving flying everywhere - I am considering selling it as it doesn't get used very much.

I have toyed with getting the Redding 2400 match trimmer because it appears easy to adjust the case length with the micrometer adjustment, -if I get it means both my Forster's and my WFT might go up for sale ... we shall see .... and then again maybe I should just stick with what I have and stop spending my retirement funds LOL
 
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I've been using a RCBS hand cranked lathe for years, and honestly never liked it. The universal holder sucks at best with short action cartridges, and is worse with magnum cartridges.
I picked up a Lyman case trim xress a few months ago, and it's a solid improvement. Much faster and easier to use, much easier to adjust, no pilots, and since it indexes off the shoulder I've found it more consistent than the RCBS.
The only downside I've found with the Lyman - no 3 way cutter. I'll give it a go for the season, but do see a Henderson trimmer somewhere in my future
 
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