RSBC Pro Trim or Lyman Universal Trimmer?

[sure as shootin]

Have just gotten into reloading and I'll be needing a trimmer and was wondering out of these two models which one you'd recommend. They're both the same price except I know the Lyman comes with all the pilots and I'm pretty sure with the RSBC trimmer you need to get a case holder and the pilot for the calibre you want to trim so that's an additional cost. I don't think you need anything else to use the Lyman but I could be wrong.

Pros or cons??

 

[geotndtwine]

I might be opening the big ol can a worms here but, my belief is either are excellent choices, but OAL of case is a fallacy. I trim my brass only when it gets to the point that the brass neck is not square, and my accuracy shows no difference between trimmed to spec or slightly off. Really unless you are shooting 1000 yards with the gun in a vise OAL is kind of a myth made up by those who like to claim on one clear morning when the moon was just right and the coffee was the right temperate they could hit dimes every time. Everyone can shoot 1MOA on a computer but in reality haha. Sorry if this is off topic you just said you are new to reloading, and I believe too many claim that case trimming will make a big difference, when I started I never had a case trimmer for 10 years.

 

[chrismc]

I would save a wee bit more and get a Forster. I started with Lee, then RCBS, and wish i would have got the forster off the hop!

 

[stubblejumper]

I might be opening the big ol can a worms here but, my belief is either are excellent choices, but OAL of case is a fallacy. I trim my brass only when it gets to the point that the brass neck is not square, and my accuracy shows no difference between trimmed to spec or slightly off. Really unless you are shooting 1000 yards with the gun in a vise OAL is kind of a myth made up by those who like to claim on one clear morning when the moon was just right and the coffee was the right temperate they could hit dimes every time. Everyone can shoot 1MOA on a computer but in reality haha. Sorry if this is off topic you just said you are new to reloading, and I believe too many claim that case trimming will make a big difference, when I started I never had a case trimmer for 10 years.

Your theory may work right up until the cases stretch enough that the necks bottom in the chamber, and then closing the bolt any further tries to crimp the case onto the bullet, greatly increasing the chamber pressure.

 

[geotndtwine]

Your theory may work right up until the cases stretch enough that the necks bottom in the chamber, and then closing the bolt any further tries to crimp the case onto the bullet, greatly increasing the chamber pressure.

Yes correct, but I have always found the brass flows unevenly, sorry I really have a hard time to explain this but one side of the brass flows more so when I square it up works great. Plus just for me I am cast fan so with lower pressures flow is far less.

 

[Pr589]

Have just gotten into reloading and I'll be needing a trimmer and was wondering out of these two models which one you'd recommend. They're both the same price except I know the Lyman comes with all the pilots and I'm pretty sure with the RSBC trimmer you need to get a case holder and the pilot for the calibre you want to trim so that's an additional cost. I don't think you need anything else to use the Lyman but I could be wrong.

Pros or cons??

They are almost the same. The RCBS Pro Trim kit includes the pilots and shell holders. The one difference is in the way the trimmers hold the shells. The RCBS has this honking big lever that you depress to release a plate with a semi-circular cut-out which holds the shell. The shell is held when you release the lever. The Lyman has a more traditional shell holder where you insert the shell and twist the shell holder to lock. I think the RCBS system is a little faster.

If you have room in your budget, I'd consider the Frankford Arsenal Platinum case prep centre. I tried one last weekend and was quite impressed. It measures off of the case shoulder rather than the base and does a really good job. It also cleans primer pockets and does inside and outside chamfering.

Geotndtwine - While I agree with you that trimming is a minor concern for accuracy, it is important for safety. Also for accuracy at sub 0.5 MOA levels, consistency of everything counts even of neck lengths. Trimming also has the potential to introduce run-out in the case neck if done badly and this is a critical factor for accuracy. If you are shooting cast bullets, these considerations aren't for you but many of us are in a different game.