Hand trimming .303 or 30-06 cases...

[Ignition Override]

Have only reloaded .303: nothing else-yet.

Doing the neck grinding using only both hands, it requires a very sharp jerk to pull the tight trimmer cylinder from inside the case.

The case is held by a wrench in One hand, with the trimmer gripped by pliars in the Other hand.

Tried it with a few 30-06 cases and it almost got Really stuck.
This is just too much.

What is the lowest-cost gear that will avoid this constant struggle and be easy to assemble? Can't visualize what other parts do.

It is very hard to understand the terminology of components which I don't have (nothing graphic found to explain other various parts...), and this might be why I've avoided the issue since I began in Feb. '10, but with 30-06 (Lake City M2 Ball, or Rem.), this simply won't work.

 

[Doug b]

You might try trimming half way and de-burring then trim the rest of the way and de-burring again.That worked for me when I used GI brass along time ago.That heavy burr would actually pull the pilot out of my Lyman Universal trimmer leaving the pilot stuck in the case until I deburred it.

 

[Grumulkin]

The lowest cost, lowest tech, easiest to use option is a trim die with a file. If you were trimming several thousand cases, this option would probably be too slow but for up to a 100 or so, it works fine.

 

[Mule]

Before I upgraded I was using LEE trimmers. The shell holder base was set up to use with a drill. After trimming and removing the mandrel I would deburr and chamfer removing the casefrom the drill. The parts aren't costly and most folks have a drill.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Case trimming...

Ignition Override-- +1 on the Lee Case Trimmer here. It's what I use for every cartridge I reload.

I use it with the Lee Zip Trim, which makes things go much faster. Used to use the screw-in-screw-out holder, with a drill, which was far putzier.

But the Lee Case Trimmer plus the Lee Zip-Trim work slick! As a bonus, get yourself the universal case holder for the Zip-Trim; works even slicker!

My review of the Lee Zip Trim is at www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=417337&highlight=Lee+Zip+Trim

 

[Mac Attack]

Buy a Possum Hollow case trimmer and power adapter. I have been using one for 06 and it is a great time saver and accurate. They run about $30 for both from Midwayusa.

 

[Ignition Override]

Thanks a bunch.

 

[ants]

The case is held by a wrench in One hand, with the trimmer gripped by pliars in the Other hand.

I'm kinda having a hard time getting a visual.
But I'm guessing that you have limited funds
and you're doing the best you can with the few tools you own.

The best (absolutely best) low cost trimmer is the standard Lee setup
(not the Zip Trim, which works just fine but costs more money).

This one here http://leeprecision.com/xcart/Case-Trimming-Tools/

Use a drill like the upper picture, or by hand like the lower picture.

It requires two pieces:
-You have to get the universal Cutter And Lock Stud that works for all calibers.
-Then get the specific pilot called the Case Length Gauge which comes with special shell holder for each cartridge type you load. Get one for 30-06, and one for 303. The Case Length Gauge is specific to each cartridge type because its length matches the correct trim-to length appropriate for each one.

 

[Sunray]

"...The case is held by a wrench..." That'll damage the case.

 

[Ignition Override]

ants:
Well, the fund are not limited, but unlike most things (not normally a 'tight wad') I was too cheap to buy what could have worked much better.
The objective of reloading to save money needs to yield to being practical.

 

[1KPerDay]

I recently got a RCBS trim pro 2 (the older model with the collets) for about $50 on gunbroker. Came with all collets and pilots. Works great.

 

[gamestalker]

+1 on the Lee case length guage triimer set up. I've been using this trimming tool for decades with great results on my drill. Not the fastest set up, but it gete the job done with very little frustration. I like it because I can ream and chamfer while it is still in the drill. Basically I never have to handle the brass other than putting it in the shell holder and taking it out.
The entire set up for one cartridge is around $15 and each additional catrtidge is $7 or $8 bucks once you have the cutter and base.

 

[ranger335v]

It would help a little if we had any idea of what you're using now.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I copied this from another post I made, hope it helps...

Trimming brass doesn't have to be expensive...

I use a Lee Zip Trim which costs only $15.99.

The Lee Case Length Gauge & shellholder will cost you $4.49.

The Lee Case Trimming Cutter w/Ball Grip costs $6.99.

A Lee Chamfer & Deburring tool is only $2.79 and the Lee Primer Pocket Cleaner is only $2.09.

There are better tools out there but for the price, the Lee tools work just fine. For a total of only $32.35 you have all you need to recondition the cases and get them ready for loading. I use the Lee Zip Trim and it works well for me. Would I like a nice motorized trimmer from RCBS, sure but I don't want to spend the $249.95 to buy one. Even the $100 hand powered RCBS or Forster trimmers are a little out of my price range. (although they are really good tools)

 

[ants]

To start, you can cut that $32 cost in half by skipping the Zip Trim.
Turn the cutter with a regular 3/8" drill, or by hand.
(If you use a drill, like most of us, you don't even need the wooden ball.)

Later, buy the Zip Trim if you like the Lee trimmers and wanna try the Zip.

 

[Ignition Override]

Bought the $70 Lyman Accutrimmer last night.

Some of you guys might not know how much easier this is!
A staffer named Rudy who works here at Bass Pro had a special reloading table set up.
Very seasoned reloader, and a (former) Marine, can explain things to a simpleton like me.

Had never seen him before, and the timing was as good as the Seal Team helicopters' e.t.a. in the Bin Laden compound (maybe Was the same time??).