Shopping for a Case Trimmer

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Ben_hutcherson

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Along with the parallel thread I have running about loading Hornady FTX bullets(and the accompanying requirements for shorter cases), I've decided that it's probably time I start shopping for a case trimmer.

Since I primarily reload revolver rounds, I haven't had much need for case trimmer. What little I've needed to do I've managed to accomplish on my Watchmaker's lathe, but this is a less-than-optimal solution for several reasons.

Since I need to trim at least one cartridge to a non-standard length, the Lee trimmers are out.

Looking through the other available options, the Lyman is the most affordable. I've read through the reviews both on the Cabelas site and on Midway, and the reviews for this set-up seem to either be glowing, or call it a piece of junk.

Any thoughts on this particular trimmer, or suggestions for alternatives?

Thanks.
 
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I've never used Lymans so I can't help you there. The only one I have ever really used, besides the Lee thingy's, is Forster's. I chose it because of the accessories that were available at the time that no other manufacturers offered. I'm very satisfied with it and have no intent on trying anything else, at least not for now.

One thing you might want to keep in mind for your decision is the size of the pilot shanks as most trimmers use one of two diameters. The local stores around here only carry RCBS accessories and their pilots are smaller than Forster's. I have made them work, and I also made Lee's pilots work, in a pinch, but I prefer to have the right size to start with. However, if you can turn pilots on your lathe this won't be a problem.

The only negative I've had with the Forster is the drill/driver adaptor I bought to adapt it to use a cordless screwdriver. It was sort of cockeyed and made the driver wobble as it turned. It wasn't too bad until I rigged up a more powerful motor, then it was unbearable. I resolved this problem and the pilot issue after I bought a mini lathe for my bench.
 
just got the Lyman trimmer about 2 weeks ago (the manual crank addition). So far, it's been flawless. I've trimmed nearly 500 223/5.56 cases since then. My only issue so far is the cut material and the holes for the pilots. I removed the extra pilots (so I know where to find them in the future) and the cut material fell into the holes. After removing it, I covered them with tape. Other than that, it's been great. The box also came with an extra carbide cutting head in it. i wasn't expecting that.

P.S. Got mine from Midway.
 
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Well for sure not cheap, but SINCLAIR, sells Wilson trimmers, and their own version, which is somewhat of an upgrade. I have one on my to order list. :)
 
If you are only doing a "few" like handgun brass not mass quantities of say 223, the RCBS is a good one. I have it and if you do not want to hand crank you and chuck it to a drill or pay the money and buy the motorized one. All the big name ones work well. Foster, Hornady etc.

Heck if it's just some 357 mag the cheap Lee ones and a drill work fine for a batch of 100 or so.

RCBS Trim Pro-2 Manual Case Trimmer
 
I would load a dummy round first in a standard length case to see if it is too long for the cylinder. revolvers in different makes will probably have different length cylinders.

I might add that you could look for Hornady brass as it is shorter to allow for the ftx bullet. I found that out the hard way when I tried to load Hornady brass long with the other brands of brass. I had to go back and reset the crimp die for the shorter case. after that loading I threw the Hornady brass away as it wasn't worth the hassle to reset the die for different brands of brass
 
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Ben_hutcherson said:
Along with the parallel thread I have running about loading Hornady FTX bullets(and the accompanying requirements for shorter cases), I've decided that it's probably time I start shopping for a case trimmer. . . .
Since I need to trim at least one cartridge to a non-standard length, the Lee trimmers are out.
Click to expand...
Dunno if this helps, but my experience with the Lee Case Gauges is the tip wears down after a bit of use. The result is short cases.

So if your problem is needing to trim to slightly shorter case lengths than standard for that caliber . . . could you dremel-down the tip of a Lee Case Gauge far enough to trim short enough for your need?
 
I have a Redding Model 2400 . Micrometer adjusts as little as .001 & will trim cases from 25acp to 470 Nitro Express . Not cheap but works quite well .
 
I've used the Hornady case trimmer to trim over 3000 223 remington, 3000 30-06 and I'm a quarter the way through 4000 308 winchester. It is slow but does an good job.
 
I like this one.

+1
boatbum101 said:
I have a Redding Model 2400 . Micrometer adjusts as little as .001 & will trim cases from 25acp to 470 Nitro Express . Not cheap but works quite well .
Click to expand...
I have an RCBS one and it does not see much use.
 
Ben_hutcherson said:
Along with the parallel thread I have running about loading Hornady FTX bullets(and the accompanying requirements for shorter cases), I've decided that it's probably time I start shopping for a case trimmer.

Since I primarily reload revolver rounds, I haven't had much need for case trimmer. What little I've needed to do I've managed to accomplish on my Watchmaker's lathe, but this is a less-than-optimal solution for several reasons.

Since I need to trim at least one cartridge to a non-standard length, the Lee trimmers are out.

Looking through the other available options, the Lyman is the most affordable. I've read through the reviews both on the Cabela's site and on Midway, and the reviews for this set-up seem to either be glowing, or call it a piece of junk.

Any thoughts on this particular trimmer, or suggestions for alternatives?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Get one of these and never look back: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lXo96H-h7k Shop for the best price. Natchez is usually the winner.
 
I have LC WFT for doing 223 Rem but as I mentioned above if all you are gonna trim is 357 Mag, You will have to do them only once so get the cheap LEE one do 100 cases or whatever and save some money.

Now if you plan on doing rifle bottle neck brass then yes, you need a trimmer.

I have yet to trim any handgun brass. With those FTX bullets well I guess you have to.
 
The question that needs to be asked is how true the trimmers are case to case. I started out with the old style Hornady (Pacific) trimmer and it couldn't be counted on for any repeatability length wise. The cam lock style from Hornady is very consistent.
Others can chime in on how well other brands do.
 
I am really happy with my L.E. Wilson, very consistent and makes trims brass nice and square.
 
I also use the lyman and I love it..I do a bunch of different calibers so I bought a drill attachment for every one that I trim..Changing between calibers takes me about a minute.
Set it once and forget about it forever....
 
I am brand new to rifle reloading. Been reloading pistol for a couple years, but never did any trimming to those. I picked up a Lee Quick Trim system for my .223. It is inexpensive, and has very inexpensive dies for each caliber. It also allows a certain amount of adjustment of the trim length within the caliber. Don't know if that adjustment would satisfy your needs or not.

I find the system allows me to trim my .223 very quickly and easily. It chamfers as it cuts, so once you are done trimming, you are done. I have a turret press, so it is easy to put the trim die in the spare hole in my plate for .223, and it is ready for use every time I set up for .223.
 
Most of us make the same mistake - buying cheap and working our way up. I learned that lesson with motorcycles back in the 1970s. I started with a 350, then a 500 and a 750, a 900, 110 and finally a 1300. If I would have bought one of the larger ones first, I would probably saved enough money to buy two!

The same applies to reloading equipment. Buying the good stuff up front will actually save you money. I originally bought a Forster hand-operated trimmer and used it for years but as I became a more active shooter and handloader, turning that crank became a pain in my joints (as well as somewhere else) and consumed more time than I wanted it to. So I bought an RCBS Trim-Pro 2 power case trimmer and am glad I did every time I use it. In fact, when I finish this post, I have to get back to the 50 .223 cases on which I'm working.

I know it's more expensive than a good quality manual trimmer. But I still have money tied up in that Forster trimmer that if I wanted to sell, I would have to practically give away to interest someone even though it still looks like new.

The same applies to other case conditioning tools. I still have my old RCBS deburring and chamfering tool but my RCBS Trim Mate does it all plus cleans my primer pockets a lot faster with no discomfort to my arthritic finger joints.

Buy once and done - the future will be here before you know it!

Ed
 
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