trimming and prepping rifle brass

Darrell-maclean

Darrell-maclean

Member
Rating - 100%
55   0   0
Location
Hamilton, ontario
hey guys, just joined up so past my intro, this is my first post. I have a question, since im new to reloading. I reload my handguns, but want to start with my rifles now. so for trimming and prepping, I was hoping u guys could point me in the direction of a good quality, simple to use trimmer and the accessories needed, but without breaking the bank. can be manual or motorized, or both. thanks everyone
 
I did a lot of research and opted for the Hornady cam lock trimmer and then got the Lyman case prep multi tool for manual debut and chamfering. There is a nice looking Frankford Arsenal case prep tool that does the trimming and chamfering all powered and is available at cabelas.
 
I have the le wilson lathe trimmer from sinclair. Not sure what your budget is as its pretty expensive. I like it because the cases are held in the middle of the case, not with a cam lock on the case head.

Forster also makes a nice unit.

For cheap and easy, the lee trimmers are great. I have one for 7mm and it works pretty well for the few $$ I spent on it
 
Not so cheap options but something to consider depending on how much reloading you going to do.

Dillon ($$)


Giraud ($$$)

 
Last edited:
Lee delux quick trim makes short work of batches of brass. Opt for the piece to chuck in your drill and you're away. Comes in multiple calibres. Trim, deburr and chamfer am in one step using your press.
 
I know its not cheap but I have a Giraud Powered Case trimmer. It trims, chamfers, and deburs at once. Its a buy once cry once thing but my only gripe was I wish I got it sooner, worth every penny imo.
 
EC said:
I know its not cheap but I have a Giraud Powered Case trimmer. It trims, chamfers, and deburs at once. Its a buy once cry once thing but my only gripe was I wish I got it sooner, worth every penny imo.
Click to expand...

I wish I did this
 
I use the wft for large batches of 223. It was the best option for the cost when i got it. Its not a 3 in 1 so I have to chamfer and debur cases after on a small hornady motorized tool. Still pretty quick on a press drill, i can trim cases in 3 seconds or so, one in each hand, so doing all 1000 takes an hour or so, plus another hour to chamfer and debur.

I dont really shoot more than 500 rounds of 223 a year so its not really worth the cost to get the dillon rapid trim or a giraud.
Imo, for semi auto 223, nothing beats the dillon rapid trim... That and the swage-it on the 650, or the 1050, you just crank the handle and get sized, trimmed and swaged brass... Hard to beat.

Now it looks like giraud is making a tool like the wft to chuck in a drill that is 3 in 1. Might be worth a look, looks like a good deal for 100$.

Honestly if I ever shoot more 223 ill just get the dillon unit because you just dont need to touch the brass and it works by itself.
 
Rod B said:
I use the RCBS trimmer. It does all that I require.
Click to expand...

I've added a three-way cutter to my RCBS trimmer. Between that and the socket head cap screw to attach the handle on the trimmer so I can use my cordless drill to turn the trimmer, things move along quickly....
 
I have 2 Forster trimmers - one with the attachment to use an electric drill to power it. I have the Lyman case center and have an attachment so I can use the Lee trimmer but for accuracy I still prefer my Forster. I also have a WFT 2 with a few different caliber inserts but I dont use it much - I still prefer my Forster - I think its the therapy of mindless turning the crank by hand ...., then again Im not reloading 1000 223 cases at a time - if so it probably would no longer feel therapeutic
 
I just picked up the Frankford Arsenal. I didn't get to try it yet but it supposed to do trimming, chamfering and primmer pockets.
http://s200.photobucket.com/user/Rai406/media/FC34C35A-A70A-4C50-85C4-7FB407C69B19.jpg.html][/url]
FC34C35A-A70A-4C50-85C4-7FB407C69B19.jpg

http://s200.photobucket.com/user/Rai406/media/918C6D9D-3659-4298-B923-3D5D3CCCBDE1.jpg.html][/url]
918C6D9D-3659-4298-B923-3D5D3CCCBDE1.jpg
 
My friend has a Frankford Arsenal like the one above. He likes it but it doesn't trim, chamfer, and debur all in one shot like the Giraud. Must faster than hand cranking but he still cries when he sees how fast and accurate the Giraud is.
 
If you are feeding a semi-auto rifle or shooting rifle matches you're ready for a Giraud.

Once it's setup for a cartridge it's like using an electric pencil sharpener with a feed stop.
 
if you are shooting large volume of semi auto, imo, you just need the dillon trimmer on the press.... why handle all brass another time when you can trim on the press?
Imo, ar15 brass is not going to care about the nice inside bevel.

The giraud looks nice, but you still have to handle brass 1 by 1... and that's an annoyance.
 
Zedbra said:
Depends on how many rounds you want to do in a given amount of time. I reload several hundred rifle rounds per year and I simply use the Lee trim tools with my drill. I usually prep a couple hundred rounds at a time in quick enough order. Definitely not going to break the bank.

http://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/catalog/Case_Length_Gauges_62.cfm
http://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/frame.cfm?ItemID=822&CategoryID=22
Click to expand...

This is my preferred method. I sometimes also chuck it in the drill. I also only load less than 1000 rounds per years, so speed is not an issue for me.

I also have four hour long breaks per shift on my job, so I often bring brass and tools to work and process on my break up to the point of returning home with a bag of sized, trimmed and primed brass.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom