New to rifle reloading - case trimming

MauserMike

MauserMike

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I've been reloading handgun mostly .38 spl but looking to branch out into .223 and .308 for my military semi autos. I'm going with the RCBS small base X-dies for those two calibres.

In doing so I seem to have run into a snag - case trimming. There seems to be a number of approaches.

What is the best bang for the buck vs. effort expended solution? Something upgradable over time as my volumes increase?
 
I use one of these:

forster.jpg


You need a drill press, but I like having one on my reloading bench anyway. I also use it (the drill press) to deburr case mouths (nut driver stuffed with steel wool) and for primer pocket cleaning / uniforming.

Be advised, though - this device relies on your drill-press' depth stop to control case length. Many cheap presses use plastic in this area and would not be conducive to repeatable results (too much flex).
 
Get one of these: ht tp://www.forsterproducts.com/catalog.asp?prodid=623128
and one of these: ht tp://www.forsterproducts.com/catalog.asp?prodid=660293\

You can motorize the trimmer if you wish, but I find the hand crank is just fine.
 
Most hand crank type case trimmers have some provision to use a drill for power trimming. I use a Lyman trimmer.
 
I use a RCBS trim mate and love it, I took a lee cutter drilled a hole in it and taped it to thread it on on of the 5 rotating stations, so one station trims, one trims the flash hole, one squares the primer pocket and the last two chamfer and debur the inside and outside of the mouth of the case...

I even use it to remove the military crimp on .223, I have done thousands of .223 and I am still using the original tools that came with it, total investment of about $120....:D
 
Im simple with my reloading, but i just a lee de burrer i think an just slightly mill the cases down, as its only a few thou that needs doing at this stage... i have a cutter for a drill but havnt needed to be that severe yet.
cheap way i guess :S
 
I like the Lee case trimming tools. Very reasonably priced. You can trim by hand, with a drill or cordless screw driver. They also have the "zip trim". I generally use the zip trim. Check out Lee's website for "how to" videos. In my opinion Lee products work well.
 
Case trimmers

Mausermike

Best case trimmer regardless of price is a Wilson. Sinclair International sells these with a stand that can be clamped to your bench. These trimmers do require a cartridge holder for each group of similar cases, that is 270, 30-06, 25-06, 35 Whelan all use the same case holder, as does 264 Win Mag, 7mm Rem Mag, 338 Wim Mag. I would avoid any trimmer that uses a case mouth pilot to center cases as they cannot trim square to the center line of the case. Last time I looked at the price it was $75 for trimmer and $9 for cartridge holders. In-expensive and case mouths trimmed perfectly square. It is also very quick to use and rims can be squared up too.
 
I had too much trouble with the Lee trimmer getting the cases to stay concentric in the shell holder, but others seem to have no trouble.
 
For years I used a simple hand crank trimmer. Now i have a motorized one, but seldom have the need to use it.

In semi-autos I suspect you will loose the brass or batter it to pieces before the cases need trimming.
 
Another vote for the Lee Zip Trimmer. I have the 3 jaw chuck on mine so it's pretty quick and easy to put a shell in and secure it. I'm thinking of getting the RCBS one somewhere down the road though.

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