Case trimmers and concentricity gauges?
- Thread starter USP
- Start date
I just picked up the Redding 2400 trimmer and a Sinclair concentricity guage. Kind of wish I bought the Hornady concentricity unit as it has the bump feature for fixing run out problems. I may fabricate something to adapt to the Sinclair unit for bumping.
I have the Lyman Universal trimmer and am quite happy with it. No shell holders to mess with. Never used a concentricity guage or felt the need for one.
Here is a good video showing the Redding trimmer
http://ultimatereloader.com/2009/11/03/2400-case-trimmer-overview-hd/
No shell holder. Trim head included. Lot's of popular neck collets included but you may have to buy a few or one that is not included.
http://ultimatereloader.com/2009/11/03/2400-case-trimmer-overview-hd/
No shell holder. Trim head included. Lot's of popular neck collets included but you may have to buy a few or one that is not included.
Do you want mostly:
- speed?
- accuracy / precision?
- low cost?
- lots of calibers, or only a couple?
Answer these and then you can get a decent recommendation.
As for concentricity gauges, I can't see one being much different from another. They need a way to adjust to different cases, a way to support the case while you turn it, and a way to hold a standard dial gauge. The differences would come in the rigidity of the setup.
So far I am planning on just doing .270 Win. For hunting purposes mostly.
I have a chrony for the speed. Cost I am open to ideas. Dont want to buy cheap and buy twice sort of thing.
Eventually I will do .223 and 45/70.
As I am new to reloading I am looking for tools that are "easier" to use.
I have a chrony for the speed. Cost I am open to ideas. Dont want to buy cheap and buy twice sort of thing.
Eventually I will do .223 and 45/70.
As I am new to reloading I am looking for tools that are "easier" to use.
The Sinclair trimmer is kind of pricey...good tools tend to be that way. As you already know, a bunch of cheap stuff can add up to that cost in a hurry if you don't like the results or find them a pain to use. The sinclair trimmer will require caseholder for each cartridge family that you plan to load for.
Wilson trimmer. Couldn't be happier. I went with the bare Wilson and made my own base. Grabbed 4 case holders for all the calibers I load for. With the exchange and shipping it wasn't too far off of buying any other trimmer. Except for the Lee trimmers which I was currently using. The Wilson is also upgradeable as funds become available if necessary....carbide trimmer, mic etc.
I use an RCBS concentricity gauge which I got a decent deal on. It works....I like the Hornady idea though.
I use an RCBS concentricity gauge which I got a decent deal on. It works....I like the Hornady idea though.
So I put some thoughts together here on the major systems, complete with pictures: http://squibloads.wordpress.com/reloading/what-is-the-best-case-trimmer/
The easiest-to-use tool (simplicity) is the Lee system. It is fast and good enough for hunting and casual target shooting. Also inexpensive.
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Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
The lee trimmers are the cheapest and easiest to use but you will probably move on eventually .
I eventually moved to the Forster trimmer which works well and in my opinion does a better job holding the case straight and cutting the case mouths square. (I can also set my trim to lenght to whatever I want instead of being bound to what a Lee case lenght gauge is set to)
The forster trimmer uses different pilots and collets (one collet usually works for several different cartridges) .
Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
+1!
The Lee setup works amazingly well. I've been using my setup for 13 years and it's still going strong. Total cost is about $10-15 for your .270, too. The case mouths are cut square due to the spinning action of the system.
Fellas I am new here but I am not new to reloading, unless you want to get really pricey and go with a gracey you can't beat the Wilson,like Wissem70 said it is upgradable as you go and I feel much more accurate than the rest of the hand trimmers. I bought a Hornady concetricity gauge with the runout repair jig??.... TOTAL junk, first of all it works off the base of the case and the tip of the bullet so you are checking runout using imperfect bullet tips, don't waste your $100 the sinclair is much more precise The Neco is a very nice unit also, hope this helps.
Wayne.
Wayne.
I also ordered the on-sale Sinclair concentricity gage, have yet to receive it.
I've used the Lee trimmer in the past for 223 case, but I had a problem where the trimming blade started to cut into the bottom of the trim length guide. I don't know if this was due to operator error. Anyway the end result was the trim length became shorter. I wasn't impressed.
Now I have a Forster trimmer and I like it. (As mentioned it needs calibre specific collet and pilots.) I'm even more excited about this trimmer because they've brought out a cutter head that inside (14 degree) and outside chamfers while it cuts. It's expensive ($60) but I think it's worth it because it will save time and give a more reproducible chamfer than is possible by hand.
I've used the Lee trimmer in the past for 223 case, but I had a problem where the trimming blade started to cut into the bottom of the trim length guide. I don't know if this was due to operator error. Anyway the end result was the trim length became shorter. I wasn't impressed.
Now I have a Forster trimmer and I like it. (As mentioned it needs calibre specific collet and pilots.) I'm even more excited about this trimmer because they've brought out a cutter head that inside (14 degree) and outside chamfers while it cuts. It's expensive ($60) but I think it's worth it because it will save time and give a more reproducible chamfer than is possible by hand.
