Shopping for a Case Trimmer

[Maximumbob54]

I love LOVE love the WFT but I don't think they do straight wall cases.

The only other serious tool I would invest in is the RCBS powered option. I love the new Lee trimmer but until they offer a drill chuck part that stuff is starting to gather dust. It works really well though but you are going to hand crank your elbow until you have end shake.

 

[Rule3]

As I stated in my previous post this one World's Finest Trimmer at Little Crow Gun Works comes out the exact same length every time.




5/16/2014

Yes, it is a great trimmer. I have one for 223 Rem. The only problem is it is caliber specific. $70 to trim a few 357 Mag Cases.(per the OP)brass that will never be trimmed again??

 

[Rule3]

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

That isn't good stuff, this is Good stuff

There is of course the Dillon (surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet)

Oh heck with the Dillon buy a GTC or a Gracey!

GTC Trimmer

Match Prep, Home of the Gracey Power Carrtidge Case Trimmer

 

[NJM15]

Lee has the case conditioning set use the trim tool in a power drill and the chamfer tool inside and out. if you don't tighted the chuck too tight you can chamfer the primer pocket too , helps with the 223's

 

[tomf52]

Palmetto Armory right now has a great deal on the RCBS Trim Pro 2. Their shipping is reasonable too.

 

[rwsmith]

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

Everybody:

Which trimmers allow adjustment for non-standard lengths without some modification???

 

[fla_gun]

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.

I've used the Lyman trimmer for 35 years, still use it today except for rifle cases. If I were to buy another trimmer I would probably get the Wilson. For rifle cases I use the WFT.

 

[tomf52]

Everybody:

Which trimmers allow adjustment for non-standard lengths without some modification???

The RCBS Trim Pro 2 will do anything you need to do to rifle and pistol brass. Hs capabilities for custom lengths if needed.

 

[Ben_hutcherson]

To follow up on this thread, I went ahead a bought the Lyman trimmer.

I realize it's not the "best" but it will work for my needs for now, and any other infrequent needs I may have in the future. I also reload for 32-20(albeit in a revolver), so will likely need to occasionally trim cases for this caliber.

 

[Jellybean]

Ben, I was wondering if you were coming back or if you'd made a decision already.

As you can tell by reading above, most of them will get the job done and are, for the most part, about the same.

Now let's talk about your lathe. I know some watchmakers lathes are pretty small and limited in their abilities, outside of watchmaking that is. I make all my pilots, for trimming, outside neck turning, primer hole chamfering/ neck gauging and etc., plus other items such as chamber length gauges too. Forster's product catalog gives the dimensions they make most of their pilots to, which you can copy, or make them custom to your needs. There is a guy that goes by the name of "Varmint Al", and it's part of his websites name, that has a very good mini lathe section for reloading.

Also, there were a few comments above about powered units versus hand cranked. If you have a lot of brass to do, that crank gets real tiring, real fast, but with a little mechanical know how, which I'm sure you already have, you can easily out build any powered unit out there. And speaking of which, if you want to build something for your lathe, Forster makes a trimmer that is used on a drill press, and the cutter is available separately.

 

[M&PUSER]

To follow up on this thread, I went ahead and bought the Lyman trimmer.

I realize it's not the "best" but it will work for my needs for now, and any other infrequent needs I may have in the future. I also reload for 32-20(albeit in a revolver), so will likely need to occasionally trim cases for this caliber.

Glad to see you purchased one that indexes off the bottom of the case vice the shoulder. You can always add the power adapter later if needed.