I just bought a Forster case trimmer. It is a real precision piece of equipment. I have been using Lee manual trimmers and have one for each caliber thet I reload. This is a much better way to go. How do you guys trim your cases?
Forster Case Trimmer
- Thread starter Gary
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Forster, all the way.
A useful accessory they offer is the hollow pointing tool; much easier to come up with hollow points in cast bullets than to cast them as such, and you can also easily vary the weight (within reason) by regulating the depth of the cavity.
A useful accessory they offer is the hollow pointing tool; much easier to come up with hollow points in cast bullets than to cast them as such, and you can also easily vary the weight (within reason) by regulating the depth of the cavity.
James57
Member
Great trimmers. I have one that dates back to 1957 when my uncle bought it and it's still going strong for me. James
Baldy
Member
I have a RCBS trimmer that does a fair job.
I have a Forester trimmer that I bought about 1958 and it works as well as it did when new. Over the years, I've added most of the accessories that Forester makes, and it is a very versatile piece of equipment. They make a neat plastic box that holds collets and pilots in recesses and it is well worth the money. Good trimming!
I have a Forster Case Trimmer that has been in continual use since 1960. They do a very nice job. I would advise you to obtain an extra cutter to use while your original
is gone back to Forster for sharpening. I learned this from experience years ago,
when I loaded custom ammunition. Also, get all the collets and any pilot you even remotely think you'll need, as you'll save money over the long haul.
is gone back to Forster for sharpening. I learned this from experience years ago,
when I loaded custom ammunition. Also, get all the collets and any pilot you even remotely think you'll need, as you'll save money over the long haul.
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I have one I bought in the 60's and it still works great. I lucked into a bunch of collets one time at a show and I make pilots as I need them.
One thing I did was put an extension onto the crank handle to increase the swing by about 2". Makes it alot less tedious for me to work especially when trimming down alot of material as in case conversions. Probably doesn't bother most people though.
The trimmer needs to sit above the bench then or the crank off the edge to allow the extended handle to work but that's not a problem.
I use it for inside neck reaming on a couple of rifle conversion/cases and it works fine for that too.
I've never had any experience with any other mfg trimmer.
One thing I did was put an extension onto the crank handle to increase the swing by about 2". Makes it alot less tedious for me to work especially when trimming down alot of material as in case conversions. Probably doesn't bother most people though.
The trimmer needs to sit above the bench then or the crank off the edge to allow the extended handle to work but that's not a problem.
I use it for inside neck reaming on a couple of rifle conversion/cases and it works fine for that too.
I've never had any experience with any other mfg trimmer.
tbury
Member
Mine also comes from the 60s. I agree with the suggestion to get an extra cutter. Forster sharpens the cutters for a minimal charge plus if you have to trim a lot of one caliber, say .223 and the cutter gets dull in that area you can use it to trim larger calibers. I have mine mounted on a 2x6 and bought the drill adapter, which changes the handle to a stud that fits a drill chuck. I have an old 1/4" drill that I mount to the board so it can slide forward. This set up will trim 100 .223s in no time at all.
I use one too and like it a lot. I also use the drill adapter which makes things a lot easier than cranking.
The only negative thing about mine is that no local stores carry the pilots, they only carry RCBSs. I have found that in an extreme emergency the RCBS pilots can be made to fit by using masking tape to increase the diameter of the shank. Even my go-to loading store doesn't carry them, but they carry Reddings model 1500 pilots, and they will work just fine. I think Hornady/Pacific trimmers use the same size too.
The only negative thing about mine is that no local stores carry the pilots, they only carry RCBSs. I have found that in an extreme emergency the RCBS pilots can be made to fit by using masking tape to increase the diameter of the shank. Even my go-to loading store doesn't carry them, but they carry Reddings model 1500 pilots, and they will work just fine. I think Hornady/Pacific trimmers use the same size too.
I used a RCBS (old style) for over 20 years, and was never satisfied. Got a new RCBS and it is dead on consistent. Very fast to use. I use my cordless drill with it and can do large volume easily.
lafayne
Member
Same here with Forster. I bought one in the 60's with all of the collets and pilots they made at the time. I keep mine mounted on a short 3/4 inch thick piece of wood and C-clamp it to the bench when needed. It is the only trimmer I have ever used and can't imagine a better one.
jepp2
Member
I use the Lyman Universal Power Trimmer. It takes the work out of trimming brass + it uses RCBS primer pocket brushes on the opposite end. It makes cleaning primer pockets so easy.
mrcooper
Member
I have 2 fosters set up to trim out side necks, i use Lee case trimmers with cordless drill to trim to lengths
Marksman
Member
I bought a Forster when I first started reloading in the mid '70's and used it for years. Then I adapted a LEE to my power screwdriver. Currently I am using a Lyman because I like the camming caseholder that works with any case without the need for collets etc. I have adapted the Lyman to utilize my power screwdriver and find it to be a very satisfactory unit.
I have a bunch of the Lee trimmers also but when I started loading 223in larger quantities I bought a "Possum Hollow Kwick Case Trimmer" and locked it into a bench-size drill press. I think it does a great job and the cutter with drill adopter was about $20 or $30.
whelenshooter
Member
At the SHOT show I saw where Forster is now making a cutter that trims, and chamfers the case mouth inside and out at the same time! The downside with it is that it is caliber specific, so you can't just buy one to do everything. I think they have brought it out in .22, .243, and .308 only so far.
I like the Forster set-up for cutting out the crimp on the primer pocket of military brass. I think removing it by cutting it away works better than trying to swage it.
I like the Forster set-up for cutting out the crimp on the primer pocket of military brass. I think removing it by cutting it away works better than trying to swage it.
