Best case trimmer? Not happy with my Lyman.

I would love a Giraud but found the WFT for .308 worked very well for me. I am getting great accuracy from my loads so don't see how spending more money will improve it, ymmv.
 
Brappp306 said:
So I finally picked up a trimmer. The universal Lyman, hand crank. It doesn't seem to hold an accurate trim even when you set the two locks, I'll set it for 2.003" for .308, but seems to if you put a tiny bit more pressure(can't even notice it) it'll go past down to 1.999 - 2.0001 or stop at 2.005". I want something that doesn't change spec no matter how much pressure is applied, do I go electric? What is the most accurate trimmer out there, not worried about price. Thanks

-Also is it ok to use the cases that are trimmed down to 1.999"? I know it says trim length is suppose to be around 2.005"
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You are not alone with the Lyman case trimming issues. For absolute prescision it is paramount to have the correct length which is consistent from case to case. If you crimp your cartridges the difference in lengths will affect the tension on the bullets which will affect pressure and accuracy. Cases that are two long are more undesirable because they can restrict the bullet in the chamber as it begins to leave the case. Cases that are slightly undersized do not pose any safety issues only the amount of case neck tension on the bullet. Deviation between cases can also affect pressure that will influence accuracy however not as severe as incorrect case length.
 
It's interesting the hear positives and negatives about different trimmers. Myself I started with Lee trimmers, they worked OK but I find my hands got sore quickly using them.

I upgraded to a Hornady but I found my brass length was all over the map with the Hornaday and never got it to have repeatable lengths.

I then bought a Lyman trimmer and find my Lyman is bang on as long as I trim until there is nothing left to cut. I turn it until the no brass is being removed and it's bang on..

I also have a Wilson trimmer. That thing is as precise as they come but they are pricey.
 
Brappp306 said:
Thanks guys! Gonna look into Giraud! I'm going for supreme accuracy and I was told having your cases as close as possible will help with that, I'm not very experienced yet so not sure if that is bull#### or not? Thanks
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I use the Forster Lathe style trimmer. I can set it up with a 3 in 1 cutter to speed up the process as well as power it with a 12 V driver.

It will hold settings very well and has lasted well over 15yrs of hard use. Accessories to cover pretty much every cartridge we can load for.

Best part is the outside neck turning attachments allows me to easily take care of this step.

Does exact trim length really matter? My testing shows that it doesn't. Took the full range of allowable trim range from just under max to under min... result.. no difference on target and I am looking at this from the eyes of sub 1/2 MOA accuracy at distance.

And I mean, I shot groups with ammo with neck varying that much.

What I found was that coming close to max length was very problematic. I suspect that changes in the fouling just in front of the chamber was the cause. So I trim to min spec, and even below, for ammo that will see alot of rds before the bore can be cleaned.

I wonder if a 'fouled' barrel is actually fouling at the start of the throat or neck area interfering with bullet release vs rifling clogged with fouling?????

anyways, lots of great tools with my nod going to Forster due to the many accessories that can be added. And they all WORK.

Jerry
 
Brappp306 said:
So I finally picked up a trimmer. The universal Lyman, hand crank. It doesn't seem to hold an accurate trim even when you set the two locks, I'll set it for 2.003" for .308, but seems to if you put a tiny bit more pressure(can't even notice it) it'll go past down to 1.999 - 2.0001 or stop at 2.005". I want something that doesn't change spec no matter how much pressure is applied, do I go electric? What is the most accurate trimmer out there, not worried about price. Thanks

-Also is it ok to use the cases that are trimmed down to 1.999"? I know it says trim length is suppose to be around 2.005"
Click to expand...

I have the same Lyman case trimmer since the mid 1970s and had the same problem.

I bought new longer hex head set screws and the "slipping" on the shaft stopped and the cutting adjustment knobs remained in place.

Meaning the only way the cutting length can change is if the adjustment is slipping/moving on the cutting shaft.
 
Yup, L.E. Wilson.
You did say most accurate, not fastest or easiest. Also not too expensive.
Under $67 US for basic, which I have.
Also need needs case holders for each case family $12.
Sneak up (or really down) on the trim length, tighten the set screw, trim...
The case holder holds the tapered sides of the case. You press the case in, knock the mouth of the case on the bench to remove.
Got mine from Sinclair International a few years ago.
I don't load large numbers of cartridges.
 
I had a LE Wilson trimmer with the micrometer adjustment. Very accurate but also very time consuming as you need separate case holders and it doesn't chamfer or debur. As I got into hand loading more it got very tedious. Got the Giraud powered trimmer and it was worth every penny. I wish I got it sooner! Trimming is no longer a chore.
 
Mystic Precision said:
I use the Forster Lathe style trimmer. I can set it up with a 3 in 1 cutter to speed up the process as well as power it with a 12 V driver.

It will hold settings very well and has lasted well over 15yrs of hard use. Accessories to cover pretty much every cartridge we can load for.

Best part is the outside neck turning attachments allows me to easily take care of this step.

Does exact trim length really matter? My testing shows that it doesn't. Took the full range of allowable trim range from just under max to under min... result.. no difference on target and I am looking at this from the eyes of sub 1/2 MOA accuracy at distance.

And I mean, I shot groups with ammo with neck varying that much.

What I found was that coming close to max length was very problematic. I suspect that changes in the fouling just in front of the chamber was the cause. So I trim to min spec, and even below, for ammo that will see alot of rds before the bore can be cleaned.

I wonder if a 'fouled' barrel is actually fouling at the start of the throat or neck area interfering with bullet release vs rifling clogged with fouling?????

anyways, lots of great tools with my nod going to Forster due to the many accessories that can be added. And they all WORK.

Jerry
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How do you deal with crimping when case lengths vary? Once an optimum die setting is found it will not be crimping uniformly from case to case, or in your experience do you find crimping immaterial for accuracy?
 
Sqr said:
How do you deal with crimping when case lengths vary? Once an optimum die setting is found it will not be crimping uniformly from case to case, or in your experience do you find crimping immaterial for accuracy?
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You would never voluntarily crimp precision ammo. Crimping can do some serious damage to the bullet. Even high neck tension is avoided as can also create issues with the ammo.

Match/precision ammo uses the least amount of neck tension that will get the job done... no crimp.

So I just got some brass before it was trimmed and some that was trimmed "short", sorted for the widest range of variance, loaded them up and shot them.... didn't see any difference and repeated for a few rifles just to make sure it wasn't a fluke result.

I will trim for min length and that makes them uniform as a happy byproduct. But I don't get upset if the setting is a bit more or less.

Best way to know for sure is to just prove it to yourself through testing.

As a note: some chambers are cut with longer then spec necks... some shorter so it is always best to prove what is best for YOUR specific rifle.

Jerry
 
257Wby said:
L E Wilson case trimmer , very accurate and repeatable
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+1 For the Wilson

You have 3 options for the Wilson , 1 standard and 2 with micrometers. The top of the line one is only available on the Sinclair/Wilson/Brownell's site but the other 2 models are actually cheaper on Midway USA if you can pick up across the border yourself.

You need to buy a shell holder for every cartridge and in some cases (308 Win) you'll need 2 , 1 for new brass and one for fired brass.

I needed precision for my match cases and I got it with this one , really like it.
 
Lee Quick Trim works well for me. Ditch the plastic adjustment thing and get a stack of machine washers from Home Depot. Once you have the correct setting figured out it will repeat within a couple of thousands every time. It's set to trim just under max and will hold this from one caliber to another.
 
I use lyman case prep center with an adapter for the cutter which turns into an motorized trimmer. works really well for me. I process my 308 & 223 cases, both commercial and military brasses, without any issues.
 
Mystic Precision said:
You would never voluntarily crimp precision ammo. Crimping can do some serious damage to the bullet. Even high neck tension is avoided as can also create issues with the ammo.

Match/precision ammo uses the least amount of neck tension that will get the job done... no crimp.

So I just got some brass before it was trimmed and some that was trimmed "short", sorted for the widest range of variance, loaded them up and shot them.... didn't see any difference and repeated for a few rifles just to make sure it wasn't a fluke result.

I will trim for min length and that makes them uniform as a happy byproduct. But I don't get upset if the setting is a bit more or less.

Best way to know for sure is to just prove it to yourself through testing.

As a note: some chambers are cut with longer then spec necks... some shorter so it is always best to prove what is best for YOUR specific rifle.

Jerry
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I am not into precision Bolt Guns so I am some what ignorant to their precision needs, however Semi loads are handled far differently then bolts. You don't crimp and the bullet depths change from auto action cycling.

I find that a 2" modeling chop saw and jig to suffice for quick and accurate trimming of cases. Once trimmed a deburring tool is all that is required to complete the process, easy peasy.
 
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cr5 said:
I want one of these next http://www.cabelas.ca/product/66172/frankford-arsenal-platinum-series-case-prep-and-trim-system case prep is the part I hate most about reloading and as Jerry said never crimp precision rounds, if you feel you must crimp for a semi auto then get a factory crimp die which is not effected by case length.
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Not that impressed with mine , it's not that accurate and these units have been known for having an uneven trimmer head so you have to manually turn the brass. I do like the accessory options and besides the occasional batch of .223 I mainly just use the included chamfer and deburr tools.
 
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