Case Trimming Startup

[mosinmaster]

Hi,

I would like to get a case trimming kit to go along with my RCBS Rockchucker kit.

I want to reload .308, 6.5x55, 8mm mauser, .45 ACP, and .30-30.

Which hand trim kit is considered the best out of the box? Do I need to buy new pilots and shellholders for each of my calibers? I'd prefer to get a kit that has all this already.

Lyman Universal
RCBS Trim Pro
Forster
Wilson

Those are the brands I have seen, but Lyman/RCBS seem to be in my price range and come in a kit with almost everything.

Is there anything else I need to buy in addition to what comes in the kit?

 

[09outlander]

I have the RCBS Trim Pro 2, it comes with a universal shell holder and pilots for the most common calibers. So far I like it, it's not the fastest in the world, but I am getting consistency from it.

You'll also need a deburring tool like this one

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/143728/rcbs-chamfer-and-deburring-tool-17-to-45-caliber

 

[horseman2]

The Forster on the left is for outside neck reaming and the one on the right for trimming to length.
The deburring tool is set up for the outside of the neck, and the VLD camfering tool is set up in a small B & D drill (Not Shown).

 

[haha49]

The best out of the box they all work but...

If you wanted to do allot of ammo ie bulk loading spend the money on a automatic RCBS machine it trimms debures and does all the extra steps that when you do it by hand you end up finishing the brass by hand (ie deburing) and when you do 200 308 cases like that its a royal pain in the rear.

Pistol rounds don't seem to need to be trimmed at all from what I found its rifle ammo that needs it more then anything because they stretch allot more but good thick brass doesn't stretch so much.

 

[Cleftwynd]

horseman2, whatcha got hiding behind the paper? Lol

 

[jimmyjazz]

horseman2, whatcha got hiding behind the paper? Lol

X 2 - Inquiring minds want to know?

 

[horseman2]

horseman2, whatcha got hiding behind the paper? Lol

Everything . . . but it is all there on a three legged 3 x 3 foot table made in 1969 when I reloaded in the storage area under the stairs.
Since being moved to the crawl space it has been shortened by a foot but it is still like an old boot

 

[NShunter1254]

along with a battery drill I still think lee has the best,cheapest option for trimming cases.

 

[Pathfinder]

I like my forster universal, cant believe i messed around with those Lee case lenght gauges for so long. (but they were cheap and got me going quick.)

 

[canoetrpr]

Just used my Forster setup yesterday for the first time. I have the Forster Original. It does come in a kit with common collets and pilots but they didn't have one in stock when I ordered mine so I just ordered the collet and pilot I needed - for .308 / 30-06. Nice simple set up. Adjusting for the exact length is a bit of a non exact science. Took me a bit of adjusting of the coarse and fine screw to get it just right. For now it is set up for 30-06. I think I will keep a properly trimmed case around as a guide to help me adjust quicker to this size for 30-06 when I switch to .308.

One of those Wilson / Sinclair ones with the micrometer would be real neat if you could pick the EXACT length on the micrometer and not have to futz around with a coarse and fine adjustment screw.