What do you like for case trimming?

Jahred.F

Jahred.F

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
29   0   0
Location
central alberta
Alternative title: What to avoid for case trimming?

What have you had good luck with? Found unacceptable? For low volume/getting started.

At this point I'm okay with a manual setup, ideally one that is easy to convert to powered if/when. Doesn't have to be perfect.

Thanks for the input.
 
53moose320Elk said:
Lee case length guage , works for me have one in each caliber I own , simple to use
Click to expand...

Same here. No measuring required - I just let that case length gauge do that. You will need the cutter and spinner - can be spun by fingers or put into a 3/8" electric drill to spin the case. Length gauge and locking ring bought for each cartridge - one spinner and cutter work for all - if you only reload one or two cartridges, is very cheap - if you eventually end up with 25 or more case sizes, can get fairly substantial investment - but you will be into it pretty heavy for that many die sets and press shell holders, as well. I put the sized case in the spinner - lock it - trim to length, then chamfer inside corner of case mouth, then remove water soluble case lube with damp rag. For some elderly cases showing "verdigris", I spin them with 4/0 steel wool to shiny them up. For some cases, I have had to make a gauge from another - I think I made a 7x61 gauge from 7mm Rem Mag, for example.

I think some guys have made a holder for the spinner on the table of their drill press - then grab that cutter in the drill press chuck and use that to trim to length. Not sure how they do chamfering or de-lubing after that. I have used that spinner to grab and hold a case in the three jaw chuck of my metal lathe - then trimmed to length for odd ball (experimental) case that I did not have an actual case length gauge for.
 
I have a Giraud Powered Case Trimmer. The best investment I have made in reloading tools. Worth every penny imo.
 
EC said:
I have a Giraud Powered Case Trimmer. The best investment I have made in reloading tools. Worth every penny imo.
Click to expand...

Agreed if you're loading a lot. I have one and loaded countless .223 to run through my AR. Now it largely sits unused and I use a Sinclair Ultimate trimmer just because it's quicker to switch from caliber to caliber (I'm low volume now for rifle).
 
I use the Lyman Universal with the attachment for a drill. I screwed it to a short wooden board and lock that it in my vise so it doesn't move around when using it. I've had it for quite a few years and have trimmed a lot of cases with it, you can also outside neck turn with it although the adjustment in my opinion is too coarse and if the threads were finer it would be easier to set. I used the Lee trimmers before that and they work well.
 
toxic said:
Agreed if you're loading a lot. I have one and loaded countless .223 to run through my AR. Now it largely sits unused and I use a Sinclair Ultimate trimmer just because it's quicker to switch from caliber to caliber (I'm low volume now for rifle).
Click to expand...

I had a Wilson Stainless Trimmer with micrometer adjustment before I got the Giraud. Accurate, but very slow and after trimming you then have to trim and chamfer after. I don't reload high volume but still worth it imo.
 
I have the Forster lathe one. Its as slow as it comes. lol Maybe thats why I like the Lee collet dies so much, cause it saves from trimming all the time. :)
 
I use the Lee case gauge system and have the cutter on a Lyman case prep center
It works plenty good for me however I have 2 calibers I can’t find the case gauges for
416 Rigby and 450 NE
 
Used a RCBS lathe style trimmer for years, never liked it. That universal case head clamp sucks.
Switched to a Lyman case trim xpress trimmer this spring, and have been pleasantly surprised so far.
I was bound and determined to order a Henderson, but stumbled onto the Lyman when I came across a video by F class John on YT. Will see how it holds up, but so far so good. Dead simple to set up, parts are all aluminum so they should hold up OK. Only complaints are the lack of a 3-way cutter and needing to pick up aluminum case bushings for the less common cartridges.
 
Falconflyer said:
I use the Lyman Universal with the attachment for a drill. I screwed it to a short wooden board and lock that it in my vise so it doesn't move around when using it. I've had it for quite a few years and have trimmed a lot of cases with it, you can also outside neck turn with it although the adjustment in my opinion is too coarse and if the threads were finer it would be easier to set. I used the Lee trimmers before that and they work well.
Click to expand...

Snider shooter said:
Lyman with a power adapter for a drill. Thousands of cases done on and still going strong.
Click to expand...

+3 for the Lyman Universal with the drill attachment, works great.
 
I use a lyman universal trimmer with a carbide cutter. Get the carbide cutter aftermarket, it makes a big difference. You can get the drill attachment, as others have mentioned.
If you are interested, I have an RCBS collet type trimmer with standard cutter I could sell you for an agreed upon price.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom