Brass binding in trimmer

[74shovel]

Hey everyone. I’m having some trouble with my brass binding in the trimmer. Brass military 223, trimmer Lyman, brass has been deprimed and sized as well as cleaned (tumbled).
I put the shell in the holder loosely then push the trimmer head over then tighten the shell holder. Crank the handle removing the material then when I try to pull the handle back it’s stuck. Takes a good hard pull or tap with a small rubber mallet to free it.
I’ve never trimmed 223 before since I have so much of it, but have trimmed large rifle cartridges before with no problem.

Any idea what my problem may be?

I have searched but didn’t find any thing. Thanks for your help.

 

[ranger335v]

Well, my old Lyman Universal trimmer works great so I can't say why you are having a problem.

Maybe you're locking the lever down too hard? (By design, that lever tends to tighten as the trimmer is turned)

Or, mybe there is a burr on the big threaded stud the case holder is screwed on to?

 

[243winxb]

To much pressure on the cutting head will case the brass to flow into the inside of the neck. Try slowing your cutting rate, don"t force the cutter. If the cutter head is old and not sharp this could be the cause also, Lyman sells replacement cutter heads. Made sure you have the correct size pilot. You brass should be full lenght resized before trimming.

 

[Ditchtiger]

Have the same trouble with .222
Use a chamfer tool inside the necks before you trim.

 

[Walkalong]

Sounds like new cutter time.

 

[rcmodel]

I have re-sharpened trimmer cutters with a flat india stone.

As long as you keep the angles the same, works pretty good.

But Ditchtiger also has a very good suggestion.
Chamfer the inside necks before trimmeing and you won't get the burr.

 

[Hairballusmaximus]

Try releasing shell holder first, sounds possibly like an alignment problem.

I have had a similar problem when accidentally using wrong shell holder. When I locked the shell holder it tried to pull case to one side or the other creating bindage.

 

[74shovel]

Thank for your replies.

I have sharp cutter heads.
Using a 22 pilot.
I have tried releasing shell holder first but still binds.
Chamfer the inside necks before trimming didn’t help.
I trimmed a few 30-06 shells and had no problems.


I’m thinking there’s something up with this one batch of military brass. When I chuck the casing in the holder and tighten it I can not slid the cutter over and into the neck due to the angle of the shell I have to leave it loose in the holder.So there must be some kind of alignment problem.

Going to try some different brass look for some commercial 223 today.




Trim virtually all cases from .22 to .458 without additional collets.
Lyman's Universal Trimmer features the patented Universal Chuckhead which handles any case from .17 caliber to .458. No costly collets required! Features coarse and fine adjustments. Adjusting ring lets you "dial in to an approximate setting for quick repeatability". Includes 9 of the most popular pilots. Additional pilots add even greater range of calibers. Optional power adapter lets you upgrade to power in seconds.