I have been using hand tools to do all of my case prep but as time has gone by it is seeming to become more of an unwanted chore. I've been looking at a couple of case prep centers, namely the Lyman and RCBS. Both can be had for not much over $100. Right now I'm kind of leaning towards the lyman simply because the accessories it comes with are more useful to me than those that come with the RCBS. Have other members had good luck with these units. They both get good reviews on the Cabela's and Midway sites. I'm not interested in buying one of the multi hundreds of dollar units. Thanks

You must be talking about bottleneck rifle cases. I prefer the individual tools for rifle cases, and don't have bench space for a "center."

"Prep" for my pistol cases consists of clean, inspect, and reload in the Dillon. Any pistol cases that fails inspection goes in the recycle brass box.

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Science plus Art

I have the Lyman one, I only use it when doing rifle cartridge reloading. It works fine when I use it. Since most of my reloading (95%+) is for pistol I'm with OKFC05, clean and run it through the Dillon.

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Minimize the variables

Yes case prep can be a chore. I to use hand tools and will continue to do so. I even hand prime. Some of the case prep I do whils watching TV and I don't do it all at once. I try to get a lot of brass worked up then I don't have to do it for a while.

Don

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"Don't worry be happy"

Wow! since everyone enjoys case prep so much, I have a few thousand 5.56 cases that need the crimp removed and I would be happy to let you do it for me.

I have the Lyman machine and love it for chamfering and deburing new or recently trimmed brass. The primer hole tools are quite helpful too.

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Virtue,Liberty & Independence

I don't know how it stacks up against the Lyman but the RCBS unit is on sale for $125 and free shipping:

Amazon.com: RCBS Trim Mate Case Prep Center: Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31YUNdqxRNL.@@AMEPARAM@@31YUNdqxRNL

I use the Lyman Case Prep Xpress and to date there have been no issues. It is quiet, tool speed seems good, and the unit is heavy, indicating the motor is matched to the job. It comes with a military crimp remover which is an option with RCBS. I am always looking for military brass for the .223 and this unit makes quick work of all prep work and cleans up easily.

I have the RCBS, and it is very time saving. The only thing I don't like is the neck chamfor/deburr tool. I don't really care for the angle it works at. I haven't tried any of the others, but recommend (if possible) visit a store that sells them and see for yourself what looks good. The RCBS is reliable and I've had it for about 5 years now and it has held up well.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

So folks seem to like this Lyman!

Lyman Case-Prep Xpress : Cabela's

I'm about to begin rifle reloading (223) and with coupon, I can get this for $100. Am I correct in my conclusion this is a well liked product and is this a good price for this product.

I use my drill press to prep my cases. I chuck up a primer crimp remover, inside chamfer, or outside chamfer bit in the drill press and have at it. Very quick and it doesn't take up any additional real estate in the shop.

My reloading area isn't in my shop but that doesn't mean I wouldn't "split the workload". I do keep a dremmel tool in my reloading area.

I guess that's part of my question. How much does this device "fit and help" the process? I like tools that provide value but detest tools that take up space with little added value!!!!

Space in my reloading area is not cramped BUT it's never unlimited using a 6 foot table with the LNL mounted on one side and a 4 foot workbench, plenty of storage and shelves

My reloading sanctuary will hopefully be finished this weekend!

Exactly what I do for .38 spec brass. Chuck a $2 Lee primer pocket tool into the drill press set at 650 RPMs. Each case gets about 1000 millilseconds. I do it while still wet from the citric acid bath then plop the cleaned cases back into the citric acid. When they're all done I plop them into the tumbler with walnut media for an hour.

The Lee tool is dbl ended, lg and small primer sized mandrels. Mine is beginning to show a tiny bit of wear after probably ten-thousand cases. Some day I'll spend another $2 and replace it. Then do another 10k.

And for what it's worth, I don't care for the Lyman hand tool pocket cleaner (that costs 4x as much as the Lee, comes in only one size or the other). It seems undersized to small pistol primer pockets. Doesn't clean the inside corners of the pocket as well as the other tool.


Sgt Lumpy

I have one of those that I use for rifle cases. I like it a lot but don't use it much because I handload pistol rounds 99% of the time.

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Minimize the variables

Santa got me the RCBS version, I like it.

I have the RCBS case prep station and it is fine for high production usage, mine was used when I bought it 12 years ago. I bought a RCBS power case trimmer (Used) at the same time, The way the cases are held the trim length varied too much (.01 to .02") I got rid of it and went with the Wilson case length trimmer and a power adapter and cases trim to within .001" of each other. Before you spend your money check out Sinclair International and see some other ideas for trimming and case prep (Primer pocket uniforming, flash hole deburring and uniforming, case mouth deburring and neck wall inside reaming and outside turning) Most of that is for rifle accuracy, but if that is in your future, why buy equipment twice? When you require the precision at the primer pocket/flash hole speed is OK, but consistency is a necessity!!!

I use a bench top drill press on the slowest setting for case prep
For trimming I use the Lee Trimmers in the chuck
I mounted the lock stud in an aluminum plate and clamp that to the drill press table.
Fast, accurate and repeatable.
I fashioned a little lever onto the lock stud to make getting the cases in and out easy.

You can also use a drill press for many other things besides case prep.

I use the RCBS powered case trimmer with the 3 way cutter and a Trim Mate for finishing, but for primer pocket crimps I use a dedicated tool.

If not for these type tools I wouldn't fool with another crimped primer again. Dillon and RCBS make very good ones. I have the Green one.

Attached Images

RCBS Swage tool.jpg (87.5 KB, 18 views)

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GOA
USA Shooting Supporter

My old hands hurt after chamfer, demurring and primer pocket cleaning with my hand tools so I bought the hornady case trio. Oh my hands are so happy!

Well Mrs Smokindog got me this, indirectly! Received it as a late gift

Hornady® Lock-N-Load® Power Case Prep Center : Cabela's