Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Reloading
o

Notices

Reloading All Reloading Topics Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-22-2012, 12:05 AM
thumbs thumbs is offline
Member
Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Liked 44 Times in 27 Posts
Default Case trimming question

I have loaded pistol for years but no rifle. A guy gave me a Lee Zip case trimmer. I have tried both the chuck and the case holder and I really can't get consistency when it comes to getting the cases to run true. How important is it that the case runs true? I would think it should esp when de burring. Maybe it's gettin the technique but idono.

Maybe this is just a bad one. The other question is, without breaking the bank who makes one that will run true?

thanks
__________________
thumbs
Souderton, Pa.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-22-2012, 12:19 AM
gboling's Avatar
gboling gboling is offline
Member
Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: S/W Texas
Posts: 638
Likes: 261
Liked 232 Times in 132 Posts
Default

Here is what I use. Case Condtioning Combo - Lee Precision It does require a shell holder for the caliber shell being trimmed. I Use a variable speed drill to turn it.

I hope this helps.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-22-2012, 12:26 AM
thumbs thumbs is offline
Member
Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Liked 44 Times in 27 Posts
Default

Hey thanks. Ya know I have one of those also. Again it isn't as bad as the Zip but there is a wobble in it also. Some is the drill. Do you get any wobble in yours? Maybe I'm doin something wrong.
__________________
thumbs
Souderton, Pa.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-22-2012, 12:33 AM
gboling's Avatar
gboling gboling is offline
Member
Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: S/W Texas
Posts: 638
Likes: 261
Liked 232 Times in 132 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by thumbs View Post
Hey thanks. Ya know I have one of those also. Again it isn't as bad as the Zip but there is a wobble in it also. Some is the drill. Do you get any wobble in yours? Maybe I'm doin something wrong.
I have never noticed a wobble when using it.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-22-2012, 12:40 AM
thumbs thumbs is offline
Member
Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Liked 44 Times in 27 Posts
Default

Hmmmmmmmm Somethin ain't right. I saw a guy on youtube with the Zip and it looked like it was runnin pretty true to me. Mine is no where near that. When I use the one that goes in the electric drill I still get a little wobble. Both can't be bad I must be doin somethin wrong. Kinda hard though huh LOL

hey thanks for the help
__________________
thumbs
Souderton, Pa.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-22-2012, 02:40 AM
HAWKEYE10's Avatar
HAWKEYE10 HAWKEYE10 is offline
Member
Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: MURFREESBORO TN.
Posts: 5,384
Likes: 90
Liked 402 Times in 177 Posts
Default

I bought the Possum Hollow Quick Case Trimmer and like it. You use it with a drill or by hand. I bought the adapter so I could use a drill for $11. I like you have just started reloading for rifle after over 30 years of handgun reloading. All I can say it's a lot to learn and case prep is the big difference. Here is a link to where I bought my case trimmer. I think you will like it. Don

KWICK CASE TRIMMER(17 Rem. 221, 222, 222 mag., and 223)
__________________
"Don't worry be happy"
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-22-2012, 08:18 AM
Rule3's Avatar
Rule3 Rule3 is online now
Member
Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 22,063
Likes: 10,777
Liked 15,464 Times in 6,787 Posts
Default

Paint it BLUE before someone tells you to buy a Dillon.
__________________
Still Running Against the Wind
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-22-2012, 08:38 AM
Smith357's Avatar
Smith357 Smith357 is offline
Moderator
Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 4,579
Likes: 931
Liked 3,590 Times in 816 Posts
Default

I have the old version of the zip trim that chucks up in a drill, and while it's fine for camfering and de-burring, I would not use it for trimming. The way the length adjustment works is off the interior base of the case, any fluctuation in the case thickness at the base will give you fluctuation in case length and fluctuation in chamber pressure and accuracy. It's that slippery slope thing.

I use a Wilson Case Length Trimmer for accurate repeatable case trimming. I found them while at one of Kelby's BR matches many years ago and figured if they were good enough for the BR guys they should be good enough for a hack like me.

Wilson Case Length Trimmer - Sinclair Intl
__________________
Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-22-2012, 08:53 AM
HAWKEYE10's Avatar
HAWKEYE10 HAWKEYE10 is offline
Member
Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: MURFREESBORO TN.
Posts: 5,384
Likes: 90
Liked 402 Times in 177 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rule3 View Post
Paint it BLUE before someone tells you to buy a Dillon.
Good advice. Don
__________________
"Don't worry be happy"
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-22-2012, 09:34 AM
thumbs thumbs is offline
Member
Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Liked 44 Times in 27 Posts
Default

Thanks guys

Yeah this rifle stuff is all new to me. Funny thing is my Sport is still in the mail and I have zero rounds of .223. LOL
Yes both of the trimmers I have, the Zip and the one that goes into the drill, both use the bottom inside of the case to measure the case length. Didn't know that could be a problem. Shows how much I know. I was suprised the three jaw chuck on the Zip was so unreliable, for me anyway. The shell holder was much better. When I put the shell holder holder in the drill there was also a bit of wabble but some of that was the drill itself. Your right there is a bit to this stuff. I just don't know how much of a problem it would be. I am guessing this thing should run very true.
__________________
thumbs
Souderton, Pa.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 03-22-2012, 09:47 AM
thndrchiken's Avatar
thndrchiken thndrchiken is offline
Member
Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question  
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: People's Republic of NJ
Posts: 856
Likes: 8
Liked 88 Times in 66 Posts
Default

I use an RCBS power station, Have a Lee cutter and pilots, drilled a hole into the back of the cutter handle and epoxied the threaded portion of a case neck brush into it. Just screw in the appropriate gauge and go, there is bit of wobble but for bulk pistol rds it does just fine. Now my rifle load are a different story, use a Hornady case trimmer with the pilots. No wobble at all.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 03-22-2012, 10:13 AM
Rule3's Avatar
Rule3 Rule3 is online now
Member
Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 22,063
Likes: 10,777
Liked 15,464 Times in 6,787 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by HAWKEYE10 View Post
Good advice. Don
Actually I have the RCBS Trim Pro. I bought the power tool adapter but do not use it. Just as easy to hand crank a few times. I also got the 3 way head that trims, chamfers in one step. I like it!

Didn't buy it direct from RCBS. on sale from somewhere.


https://shop.rcbs.com/WebConnect/Mai...te=C13J036N012

https://shop.rcbs.com/WebConnect/Mai...te=C13J036N024
__________________
Still Running Against the Wind
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 03-22-2012, 11:54 AM
H Richard's Avatar
H Richard H Richard is offline
US Veteran
Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question Case trimming question  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Central IL
Posts: 22,758
Likes: 18,437
Liked 22,313 Times in 8,245 Posts
Default

I also use the RCBS Trim Pro. I removed the handle and turned the head off a bolt that threads into the shaft and extends out about an inch. Then I chuck my cordless drill on it and have a powered case trimmer.
__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
223, chamber pressure, hornady, rcbs

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Case trimming Lewel Reloading 12 07-25-2016 09:02 PM
case trimming Fast Brass Reloading 18 10-03-2015 09:53 AM
Case Trimming Data airfoil Reloading 6 07-03-2014 05:51 AM
Question re: case trimming procedure snowman Reloading 16 03-16-2014 04:43 PM
Case trimming 101 help please Wee Hooker Reloading 14 11-12-2009 08:17 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:41 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)