Case Trimmers

[Neophyte1]

Hey Folks: I'm in the market for a new Case Trimming tool.
At the moment Redding TR-1400 has gotten me to thinking, but I need, and want your input.
I do not want 'gadgetize' I prefer straight away tools/tooling
Basic handgun .38-.357-.40-.44- long gun.270, maybe .45 soon
Educate- Direct me to a good unit.

thanks in advanced.


Craig

Add in to your thoughts The Forster Original Case Trimmer Kit. Midway Part#614-276

 

[ReloaderFred]

I've never trimmed handgun brass, and I've shot probably over half a million rounds of it in the last 44 years of reloading. You will need to trim that .270 brass, though. I trim all rifle brass before loading each time. Your trimmer needs will depend on the volume of brass you're talking about. If you only load a few rounds of .270 a year, then just about any trimming tool will do. But if you're loading a lot of rifle calibers, then something more volume oriented will make your life easier.

In my case, I use the Dillon motorized trimmer, which requires a die for each rifle caliber. It's much faster than other means, but when I'm trimming rifle brass, I usually do it in batches of a thousand or more.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Steve in PA]

I've never, ever trimmed a piece of handgun brass in 16 years of reloading.

 

[halvey]

You don't need to trim handgun brass.

The Giraud trimmer is awesome. Just like an electric pencil sharpener and much quicker.

 

[Eagle103]

Lee's case trimming tools mounted on a cordless drill work just fine for my needs.

 

[Neophyte1]

Trimmers

Hey Folks: Looks like I Mucked up my thoughts.

My use for the Trimmer will be for LONG GUNS.
I'll make excuses for being something.

My intentions are for long guns shell length optimized.

My thoughts were to come out with 'knowledgeable' users having definite opinions between different Trimmer Models.

Opinions Please; Redding TR-1400

Forster Original Case Trimmer Kit "Midways part#614-276

Your THOUGHTS please;

I'm not stuck in any ditch: prefer to do it right the first time. Should another do the Job 'so be it'

Thanks,

 

[fineredmist]

I load several thousand rifle rounds per year and from my own experience the way to go is a RCBS trimer. I bougth one when I started loading and it has grown with my needs. RCBS offers 3 way cutters (caliber specific) which trim to length, inside and outside champher at the same time saving a great deal of time, effort and producing quality cases. I have upgraded my hand operated tool with with a power option and this is very quick and accurate. It takes a bit of adjusting to get set up but after that it moves.

This tool is probably the most versatile on the market and well worth the price. Buy a great tool once rather than buying cheap several times.

 

[The Bushmaster]

I must be the exception here as I trim my revolver and rifle cases to insure I have an even and equal crimp on those that require a crimp. I don't, however, trim auto pistol cases...

I have been using a RCBS Case Trimmer II for the past 20 years.

 

[Khornet]

I use a Forster

don't know if it's the same as in the kit you mention. It's a little lathe. Not powered. Been using it 20 years for .308, '06, and .223. Works great, not too expensive. Has good accessories for decrimping military primer pockets and neck turning as well. I'm happy with mine.

 

[Okiecruffler]

I'm another Forster user, found one at a gun show for 10 bucks. Works great for trimming brass as is, but I've also added a hook up for a drill and got one of the hollow pointers for my cast bullets.

 

[byf43]

I must be the exception here as I trim my revolver and rifle cases to insure I have an even and equal crimp on those that require a crimp. I don't, however, trim auto pistol cases...

Me too.
I have never had to trim any .45 acp or 9mm brass, however. Ever.

I do trim all other handgun brass that I load.
Rifle brass. . . done in 'batches'. When the brass nears the 'maximum' length, then they're trimmed to 'trim to' length and logged in my book.

For large quantities of .223, I have a bench-top drill press set up with the Lyman adapter and use the drill press set at a verrrrrrrrry slow turning speed.
There is NO other way to trim large amounts of .223, for me.

 

[MattB000]

I trim .44 mag brass. The case lengths seem to very significantly therefore making the roll crimp inconsistant.

 

[ranger335v]

I no longer shoot a lot but still trim to insure consistant seating and crimping on those that get crimps. I suspect no other trimmer is better than, and few equal, the Wilson. That said, they are all good for the task. My favorite is Lyman's "Universal" Trimmer, mostly due to its universal shell holder that works easy and is very fast too.

Trimmers such as the Forster use a "draw-in" collet shell holder. That's ok but you MUST keep the collet free of dirt and goo or the lengths will vary. They will also vary a little according to the actual diameter of the case head/rim.

Just inserting and removing a case keeps my Lyman's shell holder wiped clean and case diameter doesn't change the trim length. And Lyman has some neat accesssories too, debur/champher tool, neck turner, primer pocket reamer/cleaner, primer pocket uniformer, power drive adapter, etc.

 

[jhansman]

I just started loading rifle ammo again (.223) and had the Forster unit mentioned above for short time, but returned it out of dissatisfaction (seemed like more work than I wanted to do). Then, a friend offered me a nearly identical, old RCBS unit that I used just last night quite successfully. Now I kinda wish I still had the Forster unit, but I can't kick about free. Unless you have tons of brass to trim, the Forster unit should serve you well.

 

[koja48]

Bought a Forster years ago & it's all I've ever used. There are some dandy power trimmers out there, I just have never seen a need to spend that kind of money on one. I primarily trim rifle brass religeously, and mag handgun brass but rarely.

 

[jeepmor]

I bought a base model RCBS Pro Trimmer and removed the handle. I put a socket head allen drive machine screw in the handle shaft (8-32 IIRC) and hooked this up to my cordless drill. Lots of time difference. I still have to deburr by hand though. Redgardless, it still saves oodles of time.

Automating all three via the cordless drill is a good time saver and economical and will be my next step for deburring and chamfering work. Going with the dedicated systems, that would be nice, but it's more than I want right now. I'll move to the total cordless drill routine for now unless I stumble on a good deal for a dedicated trimmer.

Obviously, after further review, I'm a rookie here.

 

[RobZ71LM7]

I'm using a Possum Hollow tool to trim .223 cases to length chucked in a drill press. I then chamfer with a Sinclair 22* tool and debur with a wilson (chamfer/debur tool) tool chucked in the press.

I have a wilson trimmer (lathe style) that I use for precision work.

 

[mainebear]

My stepson recommended, I bought, and just took delivery of a Forster. What a well built little machine. Just like a little precision lathe. Anyway works for me. Good Luck!

 

[Walkalong]

I must be the exception here as I trim my revolver and rifle cases to insure I have an even and equal crimp on those that require a crimp. I don't, however, trim auto pistol cases...

Not the only one, I do the same.

The Wilson trimmer is the best. Then the Forster. I like my RCBS, but you need to be carefull pushing on the ends while trimming as it will flex a bit.

I have all three trimmers. I use my Wilson for Benchrest. I use the Forster and the RCBS for everything else.

 

[Hikingman]

Chalk one up for the Forster 'Original' model. Parts are easy to find on many websites, and if you're lucky, you'll find a set-up that works for two or more of your calibers - preowned and for sale!

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

On a shelf I happen to have a brand new C-H Power case Trimmer still sealed and all you will need is a couple Rubber O ring drive bands and the caliber neck guides from CH4D company who still sells them. I am a retired C-H Distributor.
PM Me with your email address.