i need case prep tool suggestions

TheNewGunnut

TheNewGunnut

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So I recently completed my collection of reloading dies and my new tumbler is on it's way. So far I've reloaded some once fired brass and I'm sure it wont be long until I need to start trimming my cases and what not.

So I've gone down the rabbit hole looking for a set up that wont break the bank. I've got 6 diffrent calibers so I'll need something universal or with changeable parts. Once again trying to find something that wont break the bank but also I dont want to have to upgrade it or replace it in a year or 2. Any suggestions?

Oh and at this point in time I'm only reloading centerfire rifles although I may eventually look into getting some handguns. Not sure if that makes a diffrence at all.

Thanks again.
 
I went with a Hornady Cam Lock with a power adapter so it'll work with a drill. The only down side is that you need to use Hornady shell holders, Lee shell holder don't quite fit.

I also have an RCBS 3-way Cutter head that chamfers inside and out at the same time.

This efficient setup works me because I mass prep thousands of cases of 223. If you're only planning on prepping less than 100 cases at a time in 6 calibers, go with one of the Lee offerings. You generally don't trim straight walled pistol cases so that shouldn't factor into your decision.
 
Thanks for the suggestion. Im interested in getting into a somthing in a 223 (waiting to see what's going on with the feds 1st) so eventually I'll be reloading more. So would I be better off going with the hornady or would the lee be able to manage?
 
I've found the Hornady unit with the additional options I mentioned does everything well. There's other brands that are better for mass prep but you'll be limited to one caliber per tool. I think I spent $250 for the trimmer, 3 way cutter and power attachment. The shell holders are between $5 and $10 each and can be found on Amazon.
 
Every case trimmer I looked into required a bore/neck aligning piece for each bore diameter, and a shell holder for each cartridge. I had a lot of difficulty setting up to re-do another batch and hit the exact same trim length, which seems important only if roll-over type crimping. Maybe went the wrong way, but settled on the Lee case length trim system - one base unit with stud to fit in drill, up to three cutters now on hand, buy the shell holder and case length stud for each cartridge. Have 19 cartridges set up that way now. I prefer the RCBS chamfer tool for taking off the inner and outer edge of fresh trimmed brass.
 
Zee705 said:
The Lee option is great but not so much if you're going to prep 1,000 cases.
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I find it to be pretty quick with the chuck in a cordless drill. I just trim with the Lee tool and then use a double ended Lyman chamfer tool by hand. With the VLD cutter for the inside it doesn't cut too much material by the time it removes the ridge.
 
The issue with the frankford arsenal is when changing collets, getting the nut(?) thingy back on with the rubber o ring. The positive is its trim, then clean/chamfer depending on what other tools you install. So one brass from start to finish. It works well with pronounced bottle neck cases, but, i haven't tried with tougher cases like 22 hornet or 6.8.
 
Ya that's kind of the impression I got from the reviews. Most of my cases I'm hoping will be all around the same size collet. I'm leaning towards it because it's kind of an all in one set up as I'm just starting into reloading
 
I have the Frankford Arsenal, like it. Great machine when doing large batches, I still use my old Forster trimmer if doing a box or two of hunting loads, not worth the time to change over the FA unit. A buddy come over to try the FA machine, went and bought one.
 
TheNewGunnut said:
I've been poking around doing some more research and I'm starting to lean towards this
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/66172/frankford-arsenal-platinum-series-case-prep-and-trim-system
Have any of you had any experience with this thing? Read/Watched a few reviews and they all seem very positive. Seems like it will be able to do it all for a relatively reasonable price.
Click to expand...

The only problem with this style of case trimmer is that it indexes off the shoulder. So, you MUST have the shoulder set where you want it first. In most cases, you would be doing your full length sizing first so it isn't really an issue but if you are not, your cases could come out at all sorts of different lengths. The mouth to shoulder (neck) length would be the same but the shoulder to base length would be whatever is was when you started.
 
Here is my setup. It works quite well for me. I don't do 1,000's of cases at a time but it doesn't take long to do a hundred or so. Its a Lyman case prep center and I bought an adapter on eBay to hold the Lee trimmer. I like the Lee because there is no set up and it gives consistent results every time. I also like the Lyman as it has five stations on it and it contains any mess on the top of the unit.

 
I started off with just a couple of the RCBS hand tools, and later bought the Lyman hand tool set in a case. These worked fine for years. I now have an RCBS case prep center and that has saved on the hand wear and tear, especially when prepping batches of 50 or more...not to mention the time.
My case trimmer is the Redding, and it works very well.
I have other tools as well, but these do the bulk of the work today.
 
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