Help choosing a case trimmer...

Sun_and_Steel_77

Sun_and_Steel_77

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...I'm growing tired of using Lee case trimmer pilots.
I am looking to buy a manual case trimmer and notice that RCBS,Lyman, Forster,Redding etc. all seem to have a similar set-up within a relatively close price range of 120-150$.

So which brand should I buy?. In your experience which do you find most user friendly, efficient, upgradeable etc.??? I am not interested in a "Ford vs Chevy" debate, just hoping to hear feedback from folks who have used/use one of the above and can recommend something for me.

Thanks,
Mad Mikey.
 
If you don't want the ford or chevy debate, then go with a Wilson trimmer.

This is like a bench top lathe when it comes to trimming. All can be had from Sinclair International - just google it.

Also, on the great debate issue - you could also go for the Ferrari of trimmer's if you're so inclined.

Giraud power trimmer - just google it.

Trim's, inside and outside chamfer's all in one, I own one and it's just like using a pencil sharpener when you trim brass.

Cheers, Carl

Sun_and_Steel_77 said:
...I'm growing tired of using Lee case trimmer pilots.
I am looking to buy a manual case trimmer and notice that RCBS,Lyman, Forster,Redding etc. all seem to have a similar set-up within a relatively close price range of 120-150$.

So which brand should I buy?. In your experience which do you find most user friendly, efficient, upgradeable etc.??? I am not interested in a "Ford vs Chevy" debate, just hoping to hear feedback from folks who have used/use one of the above and can recommend something for me.

Thanks,
Mad Mikey.
Click to expand...
 
There can be only one....
MVC-034S.JPG
 
The Lee case length trimmers + electric drill is much easier and quicker to use than a manual "lyman-type" universal trimmer. I hardly ever use mine any more - I may convert it to a power-type trimmer for better ease of use. While I haven't tried the Giraurd unit (above) I have heard nothing but positive reviews; however, it might get expensive if you needed it for many different calibers.
 
Case trimming can be a real bottle neck when prepping cases, and the temptation may be not to bother. This is a bad idea. The only way to speed up the trimming process is to go to a power trimmer, and I also believe the Giraud is the best. Not only does it trim faster, it also deburrs and chamfers in a single pass, so even more time is saves over a manual rotary trimmer.

At one time I would have happily endorsed the Gracey, but after comapring the two I'll stick with my Giraud. If anyone has a Gracey and needs new cutters, Giraud makes carbide cutters for it.
 
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I have had a Wilson Trimmer for 20 years and it still does an awesome job. I am old fashioned and like to take my time do all my reloading and case prep etc slowly and methodically. I am not a large volume in a short period of time reloader.
 
Trimmer

I have used Forster, RCBS but this Sinclair Ultimate Micrometer is the best I have ever used $145 I was at shoot on weekend and a very good F class shooter was saying he squares his base of cases with trimmer takes 1 to 1.5 K and makes cases square, I tried this with trimer and he is right the cases are not square. If it helps ??

http://www.sinclairintl.com/product/5497/Case-Trimmers

manitou
 
I am not a fan of the Lyman trimmer. I purchased one, and the allen key hole adjustment was super small. When adjusting, I stipped it - basically making the thing junk. It was the worst $80 purchase I've made in my reloading experiance.

Now I use the Lee trimmer because I use the drill to turn the case as I trim, ream, chamfer, and pocket uniform.
 
martinbns said:
The Lee trimmer save so much setup time unless you have a different machine for each case length. I use an electric drill with mine.
Click to expand...

I use a cordless drill with my Lee trimmers. I find the pilot or case length guage itself constantly comes loose from the cutter. Each couple of cases trimmed I need to re-tighten the gauge to the cutter head and it is a hassle.
The above is one of the main reasons I want to change systems.

BTW that Sinclair set-up looks great.

Thanks for the replies,
Mad Mikey :p
 
I've used a RCBS manual trimmer and switched to the Lyman when it came with a kit I purchased. Both were much the same and don't know about anyone else, but I can't get the adjustments to my liking. I always have to check making sure the brass length remains the same. I don't do a lot of bulk reloading, maybe a thousand rounds a year, so it doesn't really matter that much.
 
martinbns said:
The Lee trimmer save so much setup time unless you have a different machine for each case length. I use an electric drill with mine.
Click to expand...

That system drove me nuts. It took lots of fiddling to get the case to spin concentrically, I always had more variation in length than I was happy with and the case mouths were seldom true. Did Lee change their system, or are you just a very patient fellow?
 
Boomer said:
That system drove me nuts. It took lots of fiddling to get the case to spin concentrically, I always had more variation in length than I was happy with and the case mouths were seldom true. Did Lee change their system, or are you just a very patient fellow?
Click to expand...

:agree: Couldn't have typed it better myself Boomer. The above problems you describe are EXACTLY why I want to be rid of my Lee trimmers for volume re-loading. I find them adequate for trimming a box of bottleneck cartridges by hand, but when I load a couple hundred .357's at a time is a PITA.

Mad Mikey
 
Giraud... it is the only way. I timed myself the other night and trimmed, chamfered inside and out 320rds of 308win in 40min without any mess, strain, or messed up fingers.
 
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