Case Trimmer Purchase...your suggestions?

I

icedog

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It's past time for me to buy a case trimmer, and there are just too many choices and accessories in the catalogs for me to make sense of it all. RCBS, Redding, Lyman, Lee, MEC... some in kits, some with separate accessories...which way to go? I don't reload zillions of rounds, but do probably 40 to a couple hundred per year for a variety of 30 calibres, 303 Brits, 270, 7mm, 6.5, 25-20, 250 Savage, and soon, 358W. I don't mind taking my time with reloading and case prep, so am happy to go with a manual, rather than power set up. What do you use or recommend, and why?
 
I'm with ICQ and Dizzy Dan, I have a Lyman which I use for calibres I can't geta Lee trimmer for, it works great for all. It takes them to .004 under SAAMI every time, quick and easy, only downside is you have to trim more often.
 
I use the Lee system for everything that I load for regularly. The problem with it is that I kept getting odd calibers/cartridges in the stable or for friends to load. When that happens you have to wait for delivery of a new gauge from the supplier, and that can be a pain.
Problem solved by buying an RCBS trimmer with all the accessories. Now there's no wait time at all---just the extra set-up time the RCBS requires for different cartridges.
If I was only loading a few I'd stick with the Lee 100%, and would order a new gauge for every new cartridge that needed continual attention, but in the meantime the versatility of a "universal" trimmer is great.
 
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Thanx for all the replies...Great to be able to come here for help when it's needed! So, I'm looking in the Wholesale catalog, and wondering which items comprise the "Lee system" that will give me what I need to do the trimming for the cartridges I am loading...don't see the guages referred to by rodagra ?? Can someone with a catalog, and/or experience with the Lee equipment help me out with the specifics?
 
They're referred to as "case length gauges" in the Lee catalogue, and each one comes with a shell holder for a specific caliber. The gauge and shell holder are used with a lock stud and cutter (both universal), and the system can be operated by hand or with the assist of a drill.
Gauges alone run about $8.00 Can. last time I looked.
Best source is Higginson Powder--- http://www.higginsonpowders.com/pages/934271/index.htm
 
I have the Lyman power trimmer that I upgraded with the carbide cutter and it is great, the next step would be a Giraud power trimmer.

giraudtool.com
 
I've got an RCMP with the shellholder and lever aet up. I notice that when I put a case in it, it cocks it off axis and it only straightens up when the pilot goes into the case neck. Might not be 100% square but it might be much ado about nothing.
 
I can certainly see that a power trimmer would be the way to go if I was loading 100's of the same cartridge at a time. I load for a dozen different cartridges, probably never any more than 40 rounds at a time, so I'll start out with the Lee gear and see how it works out. Again, thanks to all who shared their thoughts and experience.
 
I took the Lee trimmer's a different route. I turned down the shank on the cutter to just under 3/8's of an inch. Now I can lock the drill on and the cutter spinning and just keep trimming case's.

I then made up a handle to hold the lock stud cause I got tired of getting blister's, and to make it a more comfortable procedure.

Sped thing's up considerably.
 
I have the Lee system and they work great , but you have no control over the length. If that is an issue and you have lotsa money :), I borrowed a friends Forster to trim my 455 cases and that is some sweet piece of equipment.
Kim
 
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