Hornady Case Trimmer – Alternate Powder Adapter

[Ej3]

Since I am not a high volume reloader, I had bought a cost effective Hornady case trimmer. I basically use it for 38 Spec, 357 Mag and 300 BLK, so trimming with the hand crank was not a big deal. But now that I am loading .223 Rem, I decided to use it with a power screwdriver. However, I just could not bring myself to spend $20 for their power adapter (P/N 050145).

So I went to Lowes and spent $3.50 on a 3/8-24 stainless steel nut and oversized 3/8” washer. The washer gives me an edge to easily grasp and pull back the cutter. To go really cheap and if you already have them in your tool box, just use a 9/16” socket and a 1/4 hex shank to 1/4 socket adapter. However, I found a cheap 9/16” nut driver with 1/4" hex shank for only $5.50 on Amazon. So you can install an alternate power adapter for $4 - $10 and it works just fine.

And a cheap Black & Decker power screwdriver costs just under $30, is low speed and rechargeable.

Using the power screwdriver makes trimming a bunch of brass much easier.

 

[Walkalong]

Nice! I like it.

 

[Blue68f100]

That will work nicely. You should not need that large washer for the socket should stop on the original locking rings.

 

[Ej3]

That will work nicely. You should not need that large washer for the socket should stop on the original locking rings.

I trimmed about 300 .223 over the last two days and it works great. Regarding the oversized washer, I actually use it as an edge to pull the trimmer head/shaft back. Depending on the case, it needs a slight tug to disengage.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I love ingenuity and versatility. Good job.
That's an expensive nut and washer but it was much cheaper than the alternative.

 

[Goneshoot'n]

I use the same case trimmer. You said you sometimes have to give a slight tug to pull the shaft back... I have found that if you peck, (remove some material, back off, and repeat, usually just once in this application) it doesn't take any force. It will break the burr in smaller increments.