Case trimmer options?

R

Rossiter93

Regular
Rating - 100%
15   0   0
Location
Nova Scotia
Hello all. I'm looking at upgrading to a manual lathe style trimmer, but have no idea what's the best value for the money. I currently use the lee gauges and a drill and do all my trimming by hand, and it's a royal pain in the ass and my hands are pretty well wrote off by the time I get through a tray of 50 pieces of brass. I currently reload .223, .308, and .30-06, if that effects anyone's input. I can't afford a $400-$500 electric unit, I'd prefer to keep it right around $150 taxes in if possible. Are the Lyman trimmers on Amazon worth getting? They seem decently priced. Thanks in advance!
 
This one is well rated I have one and it's very good quality:

h ttp://www.brownells.com/reloading/case-preparation/case-trimming/case-trimmers/ultimate-trimmer-platform-kit-prod54116.aspx
 
silverfoxdj said:
This one is well rated I have one and it's very good quality:

h ttp://www.brownells.com/reloading/case-preparation/case-trimming/case-trimmers/ultimate-trimmer-platform-kit-prod54116.aspx
Click to expand...

Looks nice but it'll nearly double his budget.

Anyone use the Forster unit? Looks like that would hit easily under $150 shipped and taxed?
http://www .brownells.com/reloading/case-preparation/case-trimming/case-trimmers/case-trimmer-prod36847.aspx
 
I bought a frankford arsenal platinum trimmer of Amazon. $230 with free shipping and have done over 2000 223 and 500 308 cases. I am very happy with this trimmer.
 
A friend of mine uses a CTS trimmer, it fits in a drill press, and once set up, you can trim brass pretty quickly with it.
 
Rossiter93 said:
Hello all. I'm looking at upgrading to a manual lathe style trimmer, but have no idea what's the best value for the money. I currently use the lee gauges and a drill and do all my trimming by hand, and it's a royal pain in the ass and my hands are pretty well wrote off by the time I get through a tray of 50 pieces of brass. I currently reload .223, .308, and .30-06, if that effects anyone's input. I can't afford a $400-$500 electric unit, I'd prefer to keep it right around $150 taxes in if possible. Are the Lyman trimmers on Amazon worth getting? They seem decently priced. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Before you get rid of your current set-up, try mounting the Lee cutter and pilot in your drill press (if you don't have one, you know you want one :p) and put the shell holder in a compact screwdriver handle. The shell holder will fit in any standard screwdriver that takes hex-type bits.

Trimming is done by putting a shell in the holder and pressing it against the spinning cutter and pilot. It's easy to do a hundred an hour.

In terms of powered case prep centers, I've been tempted by the Frankford Arsenal Platinum mentioned previously - trims, chamfers, deburrs and cleans primer pockets in one unit. Have used one and was impressed.
 
The Forster units are good for what you are trimming, I have had two for years.
I also have an old Lyman and an RCBS trimmers because they have larger openings making it easier to trim longer cases.
If you are going to any gun shows check the tables because sometimes you can find some real deals on stuff like that..
 
Kevan said:
The Forster units are good for what you are trimming, I have had two for years.
I also have an old Lyman and an RCBS trimmers because they have larger openings making it easier to trim longer cases.
If you are going to any gun shows check the tables because sometimes you can find some real deals on stuff like that..
Click to expand...

I would not hesitate on the Forster a friend has one and it works reliably
 
Rossiter93 said:
Hello all. I'm looking at upgrading to a manual lathe style trimmer, but have no idea what's the best value for the money. I currently use the lee gauges and a drill and do all my trimming by hand, and it's a royal pain in the ass and my hands are pretty well wrote off by the time I get through a tray of 50 pieces of brass. I currently reload .223, .308, and .30-06, if that effects anyone's input. I can't afford a $400-$500 electric unit, I'd prefer to keep it right around $150 taxes in if possible. Are the Lyman trimmers on Amazon worth getting? They seem decently priced. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...


The Liitle Crow WFT2 is inexpensive and fast. Multiple collars for many standard or Cat Calibers.

https://littlecrowgunworks.com

 
Pr589 said:
Before you get rid of your current set-up, try mounting the Lee cutter and pilot in your drill press (if you don't have one, you know you want one :p) and put the shell holder in a compact screwdriver handle. The shell holder will fit in any standard screwdriver that takes hex-type bits.

Trimming is done by putting a shell in the holder and pressing it against the spinning cutter and pilot. It's easy to do a hundred an hour.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. I'll have to try that out.
 
I'm not sure if you already doing this but I wear a pair of mechanix style gloves when I trim .223 and .308 brass on the Lee gauge cutter system. The shell holder end is on the drill chuck. Usually for .223, I can only do 50 cases a time. The hand drill fatigues my hand.
 
Last edited:
roadcarver said:
I'm not sure if you already doing this but I wear a pair of mechanix style gloves when I trim .223 and .308 brass on the Lee gauge cutter system. The shell holder end is on the drill chuck. Usually for .223, I can only do 50 cases a time. The hand drill fatigues my hand.
Click to expand...

Are those 223 rounds for an AR if not that's enough at one time in a bolt gun..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom