Cheap case trimming station?

Onagoth

Onagoth

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Wow...case trimming with a ####ty lee pilot and drill is not going that well for me.

Can you guys recommend a cheap case trimmer? I don't think it matters but I'll be using it exclusively for .223
 
I still use a Lyman accutrimmer, but when I upgrade I think I'll go with the Forster and drill press riggin'. My loads are usually light and I neck size most of the time so tend to less case stretching/trimming.
 
If you're havign a problem with the lee case trimmer/lock stud and case length gauge, you're doing it wrong. I can perfectly trim a couple hundred 308 brass in abouu 10 minutes. Also used them for 6.5x55 and .303 without problems.

Make sure that the little pin that goes in the flash hole is not bent. Also make sure the case length gauge is screwed right up to the cutter. Also, not using a cheap crappy drill helps a lot. I first tried with one where the chuck wasn't concentric, and it makes it a lot harder. Also, don't run the drill full bore. start off SLOWLY.
 
Here's how I modified my trimmer's.
I turned them down to about .350 so they'll work on any 3/8th's drill.

trimmer002.jpg
 
If the pilot is screwed fully into the cutter, it trims the cases way too short, well below the trim to length anyways.

If I set the pilot in the cutter at the proper distance where the pilot produces the correct trim to length, its fine...except after using it in a drill the pilot tends to screw more into the cutter and eventually it will be trimming the cases too short again.
 
hrrm....perhaps you got a lemon? i found with mine that they trim too long unless i DO screw them all the way in.
 
either the decapping pin is too short , or there's something wrong with that pilot- the pin is supposed to butt up with the baseplate to give you the proper length- about the only way you can end up with a too short piece if brass is 1) the decapping pin is too short , or 2) you're not using the base plate at all and using the shoulder of the pilot as a stop instead of the pin- and then your brass will be too short by the length of the decapping pin- just the pin part-
 
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don't need to- the length of your pilot to the threads whould be the same as the trim-to case length in your reloading manual- that's where the shoulder meets the cutter- use your calipers and make sure you measure from the point of the pin to the shoulder where the threads begin- if that's right , then there's something wrong with your cutter-maybe it 's too short or something
 
oh yeah, i forgot about that.... If you DON"T use the lock stud and shellholder meant for these, you'll trim 20 thou short. Ask how i know :redface:
 
Lee is sending me a new 308 one as the one I had was trimming below the trim to length. I just used the contact us thing on their webpage and the reply said a new one was in the mail.
 
fleguel said:
Lee is sending me a new 308 one as the one I had was trimming below the trim to length. I just used the contact us thing on their webpage and the reply said a new one was in the mail.
Click to expand...

if i was in your shoes, i would have gone to higgenson first- he's somewhere in your neck of the woods and the lee depot
 
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