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New to the forum. anyone know of the best brass case machine or what everyone is now using?
Let me know.
Let me know.
case trimming
- Thread starter Fast Brass
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Not the best but...
Not the best but it shore is cheap....and fast. I chuck a Lee tool into my drill press. Once you buy the base (cheap) extra mandrels for other caliber cost about $7.
I think they have some improved models now to mate up with your bullet press and stuff.
Not the best but it shore is cheap....and fast. I chuck a Lee tool into my drill press. Once you buy the base (cheap) extra mandrels for other caliber cost about $7.
I think they have some improved models now to mate up with your bullet press and stuff.
There are so many and you will get many many replies. What calibers are you wanting to trim and how many different calibers.??
forestswin
Member
The answers to Rule 3's questions are important for you to get valuable advice here, specific to what you're reloading. Because, the answer to your question is....."it depends"
The reviews at Midway, Brownells, etc are very helpfull too....to narrow down your options.
Personally, I like the Hornady Cam lock trimmer....it's reasonably priced, precise and fast.
The reviews at Midway, Brownells, etc are very helpfull too....to narrow down your options.
Personally, I like the Hornady Cam lock trimmer....it's reasonably priced, precise and fast.
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novalty
Member
How much are you looking to spend too? The skies the limit if you are processing a ton of brass and got the money you could get a $500 Giraud. If you are drinking "blue Kool aid" than the Dillon press mounted Rapid Trim for $250 might be your style. If you are not doing high volumn, some popular models are Forster's, LE Wilson, Lyman, RCBS, WFT, Lee. You are undoubtably going to get a recommendation for all of these and probably more.
Forgot to add disclaimer, if I left out a brand that you really like it was clearly done intentionally to make you upset
Forgot to add disclaimer, if I left out a brand that you really like it was clearly done intentionally to make you upset
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I'm going through the same question myself. So far I can tell you which ones I DON'T like (but I won't). I always wind up with a drawer full of things that looked good on paper. I just bought a thing that goes in my drill press and has a shaped insert for .223 casings and a small end mill in it. It's my favorite so far. I'm trying to find something similar for 9mm and .380. It looks like the answer to our question is going to be that you have to have several, depending on what you are reloading at the time.
I'm not saving much money reloading, but I'm still having one heckuva lot of fun.
I'm not saving much money reloading, but I'm still having one heckuva lot of fun.
I guess it DEPENDS on if you like to be precise or just close.
If precision is what you want then you'll need to stick to trimmers such as the aforementioned Hornady, which is a good one, or Wilson and the rest that are basic trimmers.
Once you get into the WFT's, Giraud's etc the trimmers go off the case shoulder, which in most cases will get you real close but not spot-on.
Sooo, if you're trimming Remington 223's as an example and you want case length set at 1.755 - the Hornady, Wilson and others will give you 1.755 on the nose every time. Measuring off the case shoulder will get you anywhere from 1.749 to 1.758. With the right "feel" you can get close to your mark for the majority if that's good enough for you.
If precision is what you want then you'll need to stick to trimmers such as the aforementioned Hornady, which is a good one, or Wilson and the rest that are basic trimmers.
Once you get into the WFT's, Giraud's etc the trimmers go off the case shoulder, which in most cases will get you real close but not spot-on.
Sooo, if you're trimming Remington 223's as an example and you want case length set at 1.755 - the Hornady, Wilson and others will give you 1.755 on the nose every time. Measuring off the case shoulder will get you anywhere from 1.749 to 1.758. With the right "feel" you can get close to your mark for the majority if that's good enough for you.
Never ever trimmed pistol brass, many decades now. Rifle yes I trim. I like the Trim It.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEZhtg23dko[/ame]
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEZhtg23dko[/ame]
I've used a little Forster for 40 years or so.
Does everything I'd ever need done.
Mounted mine on a wood base with holes for the various pilots and arbors.
Did add a 1/4" hex drive so I can power trim .38 Mid cases for my TRR8.
Does everything I'd ever need done.
Mounted mine on a wood base with holes for the various pilots and arbors.
Did add a 1/4" hex drive so I can power trim .38 Mid cases for my TRR8.
The "Trim It" looks nice, sir. Thank you!
For the last couple of years, I have been very happy with the similar Little Crow Gunworks WFT (world's finest trimmer), following the excellent tips in the video below.
You can easily tell by watching that this gentleman is an experienced reloader. Several of his comments would also apply the Trim It brand trimmer.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_KNOLN0ByH8[/ame]
I believe the entire video is well worth watching.
old&slow
Member
I have a L. E. Wilson trimmer that I've been using. It does a good job but is slow. A couple years ago I purchased a Little Crow WFT for a couple calibers that I use the most. Very fast, very accurate, very easy.
Little Crow Gun Works WFT trimmers
Little Crow Gun Works WFT trimmers
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J. R. WEEMS
Member
BRASS TRIMMING
I just got in Sinclairs version of the Wilson Trimmer last week and have been giving it a work out-- worked out a couple kinks and now have my workflow going smooth. Yes, it can be a bit slow but so am I. This thing almost makes trimming fun.
-- mostly for a one time shot on pistols brass, and 30 carbine brass for my Ruger Blackhawk, which is really fussy about the brass-- you only go around once, so go for it-- my old Lyman just wasn't getting it. Can only say it works for me just fine-- I save enough on reloading to already pay for it many times over. Since I do not-- or did not intend to knock pistol brass in and out with a mallet--
-- I picked up the small arbor press from the local newely opened Harbor Freight A small hole drilled it it holds a small brass rod used for punching out the brass, and it slides right into the little tray-- works for me-- I do intend on picking up a carbide cutter and a couple more holders this week, later. Get the Q style when available-- this is on sale of sorts, and the shark fin, came with it-- research is your friend-- I did get the upgraded handle, and glad I did-- too many years of using the funky little handle on the Lyman for me. Here are a couple photos to go along with all this, just because--- now if I could just find some PMC STARFIRE bullets, as I am using my last box.
A better handle:
ARBOR PRESS:
Yes, the arbor press, being what it is and made where it was came a bit on the rough side, but a few minutes with some wet/dry paper made a BIG difference -- all this will well out last me--
I just got in Sinclairs version of the Wilson Trimmer last week and have been giving it a work out-- worked out a couple kinks and now have my workflow going smooth. Yes, it can be a bit slow but so am I. This thing almost makes trimming fun.
-- mostly for a one time shot on pistols brass, and 30 carbine brass for my Ruger Blackhawk, which is really fussy about the brass-- you only go around once, so go for it-- my old Lyman just wasn't getting it. Can only say it works for me just fine-- I save enough on reloading to already pay for it many times over. Since I do not-- or did not intend to knock pistol brass in and out with a mallet---- I picked up the small arbor press from the local newely opened Harbor Freight A small hole drilled it it holds a small brass rod used for punching out the brass, and it slides right into the little tray-- works for me-- I do intend on picking up a carbide cutter and a couple more holders this week, later. Get the Q style when available-- this is on sale of sorts, and the shark fin, came with it-- research is your friend-- I did get the upgraded handle, and glad I did-- too many years of using the funky little handle on the Lyman for me. Here are a couple photos to go along with all this, just because--- now if I could just find some PMC STARFIRE bullets, as I am using my last box.
A better handle:
ARBOR PRESS:
Yes, the arbor press, being what it is and made where it was came a bit on the rough side, but a few minutes with some wet/dry paper made a BIG difference -- all this will well out last me--
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I don't know if I agree....I have the WFT and have put it through it's paces. I found that, aside from the fact that it is a cheap way to trim a whole bunch of cases real quick, it is pretty accurate going off the shoulder as long as the cases are resized properly. I honestly have more trouble getting the desired {target} headspace dead on when I size cases than getting close while trimming.
All that said, maybe my "feel" is better than I thought, but I didn't have anywhere near .011" spread when trimming. Maybe .002-.003 at the most. Which is sometimes the same spread I get resizing. One thing I learned about resizing...once you have the size die set to size dead on target headspace...go ahead and size every fired case in that caliber you have!!!
I have a Forester trimmer and that is what I use to outside neck turn as well as trim everything but 223. For that I use the WFT...unless I am only trimming a few. I admit, it is kind of ridiculous...I chuck the WFT in my 12X48 gunsmith lathe to trim.
It depends on what you are trimming. If it's 9mm, or 45 acp I haven trimmed one in 30 years. If it's for revolver brass, I trim when new for most standard loads, but more consistently for magnum brass. This is so I can get a consistent roll crimp. Rifle brass gets trimmed every time if needed. I use a RCBS hand crank trimmer, but remove the handle and put a smooth shank bolt in place and chuck my cordless drill to it and it makes short work of trimming. I then use the RCBS prep station to chamfer and de-burr.
MichiganScott
Member
I've used a little Forster for 40 years or so.
Does everything I'd ever need done.
Mounted mine on a wood base with holes for the various pilots and arbors.
Did add a 1/4" hex drive so I can power trim .38 Mid cases for my TRR8.
Same set-up I've got and used for about the same length of time. The chunk of 2x6 I've got it screwed onto now has 10 pilots mounted on it. I'm running out of room.
I have 4 or 5. Giraud is the fastest and I don't have anywhere near 10 thousandths spread..maybe a couple. I have the Dillon and it is fast and pretty precise. Have a Powered RCBS and it is good and fast. The easiest is the Lyman Universal but it isn't quite as spot on as the RCBS but think it is because of how the case is held..it is also necessary to deprime first. I have an OLD RCBS collet type that I bought at a gun show for 10 bucks. It is SLOW but probably the most precise. Also have a Pacific and a Bair(same tool) but have never used them.
Universal Trimmer With Power Adapter and 9 Pilots by LYMAN-
Trimmer, cutter shaft that works with your electric drill, and pilots to save wear and tear on your hands. This trimmer will hold ±0.001 case length depending on your skill level. I trimmed 2 gallons (milk jugs) of 223 brass in about 4 hours. Friends have told me that I'm a glutton for punishment.
Eventually the cutter head and shaft bushing will wear out, over 50,000 cases, but replacement parts are affordable.
Trimmer, cutter shaft that works with your electric drill, and pilots to save wear and tear on your hands. This trimmer will hold ±0.001 case length depending on your skill level. I trimmed 2 gallons (milk jugs) of 223 brass in about 4 hours. Friends have told me that I'm a glutton for punishment.
Eventually the cutter head and shaft bushing will wear out, over 50,000 cases, but replacement parts are affordable.
