RCBS Rotary Case Trimmer-2 ???

[delta-419]

About 1989 I got into SASS and knew that ammo was a big expense and decided to start reloading to cut the cost of ammo. Bought a triple beam scale, a Lee single stage press 4 or 5 die sets and a new RCBS Rotary Case Trimmer-2. I never used it. I recently re-discovered it stored away unused all this time. It is as new. However, it does not have any pilots or shell holders with it! I assume it needs a shell holder to hold the case in place so that the trimmer blade can do its work. Was there a pilot used to guide the cutter blade? If you have had experience using this model trimmer, I need your help as to what I need to trim 30-06 brass. I included a photo of the trimmer to help ID it.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I had so many case trimmers, I can't keep model numbers straight! Call RCBS customer service or Huntington Die and see if they can sell you the correct shell plate (specific to model) and 30 cal pilot (universal to RCBS). Ask for a set of instructions too, they will probably give you a web page.

Your set for 30-06 will do 308 with just a length adjustment. I will only hurt a little more to buy the pilot and shell plates for any other cartridges you MAY load in the future. When I got rid of my RCBS power trimmer I had ALL the pilots and shell plates, that cost more than the used trimmer!

I got rid of my RCBS trimmer because it was difficult to maintain uniform pressure on the shell plate and that caused .007 to .012 in case overall length! I now use the LE Wilson trimmer and case are within .001 +/-, or Forrester and cases are within .002, experience says anything in the +/- .004 is very usable. When I started loading in 1979 length was only expressed in 1/100ths not 1/1000ths. I saw one setup guaranteed to .0005" (half of a thousandth) but that is OCD way beyond me!

Ivan

 

[Nevada Ed]

You can call the company or e-mail them but the 2nd option is to look up Midway and see if they sell the pilots and stuff for your die.

Good hunting.

 

[CH4]

RCBS CS is awesome! The best in the business

 

[BLUEDOT37]

...a new RCBS Rotary Case Trimmer-2.
I assume it needs a shell holder to hold the case in place so that the trimmer blade can do its work.
Was there a pilot used to guide the cutter blade?
I need your help as to what I need to trim 30-06 brass.

LOL, I just got done trimming a bunch of my old GI 30-06 brass that I haven't done anything with for years.

My Trimmer must have been the original (#1) as it's not a chunky as yours.

You'll need the #1 case shell holder/collet for the 30-06 (it works with other cases too).

And you'll need a .30 caliber pilot to install in the cutter.

After you size your brass the factory RCBS pilots always seem slightly too fat to go in the case mouth.

I ended up doing like I usually have to do.

I put the stem of the .30 pilot in my cordless drill & knock a few thousandths off of it with some emery cloth.

Like Ivan the Butcher said, there's some length variation but it works for my needs.

If you think you'll be using it a lot you might go ahead & get a carbide cutter to replace the standard cutter.

I did as my original cutter got dull pretty quick, once I finally started using it.

.

.

 

[fordson]

This is my set up. The trimmer is set up for 30-06 now. Just finished 200 M1 Carbine cases. Before that, 350 .223 Rem cases. The HF power drill works great and cuts down “cranking fatigue”. The trimmer in back I use for neck turning, which I seldom do.

 

[delta-419]

RCBS Case Trimmer-2

I want to thank all who responded, I just ordered a #1 RCBS shell holder and a 30 caliber pilot for this old trimmer. eBay had it all, now to get it up and running after sitting in its box for 32 years. I love this forum+++.

 

[H Richard]

That is the older discontinued model. The "collet" That holds the base of the shell comes in a couple different sized and should have been included with your trimmer. The problem cited is caused by uneven pressure on the collet which can cause differences in the case length trimming. If you pay attention to the precise pressure you put on the turn screw you can turn out some very precise trimmings. You will need a pilot for every caliber you trim. For 30-06 you will need the collet for that base, and a 30 caliber pilot.

The newer case trimmer has a shell plate for each base size, and the shell base is slipped into the base by pressing down on the lever. It does provide very precise trimming. It uses the same pilots.

 

[m75rlg]

My RCBS trimmier is older than any of the models pictured. There are three collets that have multiple steps inside each collet. Those 3 should cover any cartridge you wish to use.

Consistantly chucking the case in place = repeateable trim lengths. I mark one "wing" on the chuck, and then always tighten that wing to the same position before triming. (12 o'clock / 3 o'clock / etc.)

I also found saving a properly trimed case (marked with a sharpie showing the proper length) in my reloading die box and then using that case to reset everything when trimming that caliber was much easier than using the calipers and trim/reset/measure and repete method.