Manual case trimmer...help

[SourMash]

I'm another newbie to reloading. I've been reloading pistol and a few rifle so far. The time has come to buy a case trimmer. I'm at a loss as to which one I need. Do I need one with a micrometer already on it? If I opt to not get the micrometer, will I regret it and end up buying it later? I like the Wilson trimmer and I've also looked at the Redding trimmer. Both units were close to the same price. Now I could go out and get the Hornady trimmer for 1/2 the price of those two listed above( the other two already had the micrometer). Once again, I'm at a loss.

What do you use and would you buy it again?

 

[dmazur]

Now I could go out and get the Hornady trimmer for 1/2 the price of those two listed above

I use a Hornady trimmer. It doesn't have a micrometer dial, but it does have a "fine adjust" which I believe works just as well.

In use, a case is positioned on the pilot and the main shaft is slid to the R and locked so the clamp at the case head can be engaged. Take a trial cut, remove the case and measure with a vernier caliper. Adjust the fine adjust on the crank until the trim length is correct.

If the "trial and error" aspect of this is troubling, you can always keep a reference case to use for setup, that you have previously trimmed to the desired length for that caliber (cartridge). Then the need for fine adjust will be minimized.

Without experience with a variety of other trimmers, all I can offer is that the Hornady is easy to use and produces consistent results. I haven't felt the need to buy one with a calibrated knob.

 

[loadedround]

Lyman makes a very nice case trimmer. Bought it new some 30 years ago and it still works fine. I did replace my cutter head twice but they're under 10.00 bucks if I remember correctly.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

No, you do not need a micrometer. They are nice, but not at all necessary. They make it easier to set the trim length, but do absolutely nothing to make the trimmer more accurate or cut the case mouth more squarely or uniformly.

Without the micrometer, the Wilson trimmer is ~$40 ($35 on sale at MidwayUSA now). This is what I use for rifle cartridges and I highly recommend it. It is incredibly accurate and consistent and easy to use. You can always add the Sinclair micrometer later if you decide you want it. You don't need a base for it if you have a bench vise or you can clamp it to the edge of your bench with a C clamp. I just hold the case holder down with my hand while trimming, so there's no hold-down to fumble with. Wilson has lots of accessories for it, including a power adapter so you can use a cordless drill to power it.

Andy

 

[ranger335v]

I have two hand lathe trimmers and some Lee case trimmers. I'm gonna get more of the Lees, rarely use the older trimmers anymore. The Lees are easy to use, do a very good job and do it quickly when I use a varispeed drill to drive the cases, what more could I ask?

Hooever, if I were to buy a new hand cranker, it would be a Wilson without the micrometer head. I can use my dial calipers well enough for that.

 

[Oyeboten]

I've been thinking to set up the Drill Press with a crisp Spot Surfacer and Pilot suited to the Cases in question, and do it that way...just run through all the .38 Special cases I have in one sitting, and get it done.

If I ever needed to replicate the result, on other same kind Cases I might get ( not likely, as I have a lot of cases to work with now, but ) , it would be easy to do this way too.

This can be set up very precisely on any good older Drill Press having firm Table, long Quill, and a fine thread Depth setting.

 

[SourMash]

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[NuJudge]

How much are you willing to spend, and how many cases are you wanting to do?

Lowest cost is the Lee. It does not strike me as being accurate or durable, but I have not used it.

The mini-lathes are middle cost. There is a really neat feature about some of the RCBS trimmers, trimming length and chamfering inside and out, all at the same time. Either get one that's motorized, or with a spud that lets you power them with a drill: get it. I used a Forster for 25 years.

High cost is the Gracey, but you can do a lot of cases quickly, but there are some accuracy issues if one is not careful to prevent brass crumbs getting in the port you insert cases into. The stock one only trims, does not chamfer.

Highest cost, highest throughput, and excellent accuracy is the Giraud. Trims and chamfers like lightning. I have one and can't say enough good about it. I did 4000 .223 in one long evening. Very hard on finger tips, so wear gloves.

 

[RVenick]

I orfered a Possum Hollow Trimmer today from Midway. Got the drill attachment for it too. About $30 dollars. I watched a video on youtube and it is simple and fast. You can also use the drill attachment for your chamfer/deburring too.

 

[Walkalong]

Manual?

Forster. Only thing better is the Wilson, but I only use it for 6 PPC in a Bench gun. The Forster is great for anything else.

Powered?

Possum Hollow, or step up to the Giraud or Gracey power trimmers.

Welcome to THR

 

[JimKirk]

Walkalong ...Does the Possum Hollow have internal threads of any kind on the end opposite the case end?

Jimmy K

 

[dc.fireman]

Which trimmer do you guys recommend for pistol + rifle brass? I didn't see any pistol calibers listed at either Gracey, or Giraud...

 

[ranger335v]

"Lowest cost is the Lee. It does not strike me as being accurate or durable, but I have not used it."

I have used it, it is "accurate".

Durable? Goodness, any trimmer will eventually need a new cutter, including Lee's, but Lee's will cost a LOT less to replace.

 

[Walkalong]

No threads.

 

[RVenick]

Walkalong do you use yours with a drill or by hand. I got 1500 5.56 to trim. I picked up a Dillon 600 to swage the pockets it works great I ran thru all of em in about a hour and a half. Now I need to trim them.

 

[fineredmist]

Look at the RCBS trimmer along with there 3 way cutters. You trim and do the inside and outside champering all at the same time. The cases are uniform and properly done. The 3 way cutters are caliber specific and can be a bit pricey but they eliminate the drudgery of champhering.

 

[Walkalong]

I chuck mine up in a small Emco 5 hobby lathe.

 

[GW Staar]

Manual?

Forster. Only thing better is the Wilson, but I only use it for 6 PPC in a Bench gun. The Forster is great for anything else.

Powered?

Possum Hollow, or step up to the Giraud or Gracey power trimmers.

Welcome to THR

I use the new 3-way carbide cutters for my Forster, and the power attachment. Works great and erased the tedium of trimming. Still resisting the expensive Giraud...it just doesn't seem like a positive experience for arthritic hands. I'd have to try one first. I have cutters for .223 & .308, and they make one for the .243. More to follow they say.

I have 3 Lee hand trimmers I tried. I think they are a good idea, except that for me the shell holders suck. They're hard to tighten enough to keep the case from slipping out of position. I heard that a Sinclair case holder works with it, but never bought one to try. Hard to beat what I use now.

 

[giggitygiggity]

I went with the Lee Zip Trim with 3-Jaw Chuck attachment (sold separately). For under $30 for that setup, it's hard to beat. It is much better than trimming by hand. Also, if something happens, it's not like you are out a lot of money either. However, as simple as they are built, it looks like it will last long.

 

[LeverGunJunkie]

I've tried the Lee Zip Trim and Lyman. Both with horrible results. Wobble on the Zip Trim, and chattering cutters on the Lyman. Maybe the 3 jaw chuck on the zip trim would've made the difference. Both yielding very uneven cuts. I'll chalk it up to getting a bad unit, since using them is not rocket science.

Bought a Forster Original and love it. Easy to use, and great repeatability every time. The collet system for holding the case in place was superior to the chuck on the Lyman in my experience. I hear the Wilson is the bomb-diggity, but while the trimmer is reasonably priced, all the shell holders add up.

For cheap...its hard to beat the Lee manual cutter and case gauge. Real cheap and effective. Just time consuming by hand, and occasionally the lock-stud fails to properly secure the case.

Go Forster....you won't regret it.

 

[Randy1911]

I have this one. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=755364 It does everything I need for both pistol and rifle. All you need is a set of calipers and a shellholder for the case you are trimming. Very easy to use. After trimming just deburr and chamfer. Always resize your case before trimming when doing rifle.

 

[RVenick]

Got my Possum Hollow trimmer today. Chucked it up in a cordless drill and started trimming. After adjusting it it was great about 5-6 seconds a round.

 

[FM12]

Why the need to trim .38s? I've never trimmed a straight wall handgun case. Nevewr in 30+ years.

 

[Walkalong]

Better more uniform crimps is why, although many people don't trim them, just like you. A very well respected poster here shoots a metric butt load of .38 and never trims them. Me, I never clean a pistol primer pocket, but he sure does. We all have our ways.

 

[qajaq59]

I use the Forster. And when the arthritis took over my thumb I added the power adapter.