Need a new case trimmer

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nettlle

nettlle

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I used to reload rifle but have been reloading pistol for many years. Recently I bought a new rifle and am getting back into the rifle reloading business. I have an old Lyman Universal. Over the years and along with moving some of the pilots are missing. I was never fond of the Lyman due to it's inability to hold lengths accurately.

Don't need something that trims zillions of cases a minute. Don't necessarily need anything powered. Just something simple, repeatable, and accurate.
 
Just my opinion but look at the Franklin Arsenal Trim Center.

It takes a little to get the length right. But once it’s set, it good!

It’s relatively inexpensive. It preforms 4 functions.

There are better, more expensive trimmers out there. But for my money, this does what I need it to do.
 
Lee Trimmer; when I got mine it was $7. Still works fine by hand or in my drill press. Pin on the case length goes thru the primer hole, stopped by lock stud, turn cutter til it stops cutting, deburr inside and out. Each case length will require a sepatate guage. If you load for a lot of different calibers, this may not be for you. Case length can be fine tuned by stoning the pin length. Cut square to the case head, perfect repeatability, if you do a good job of deburr. The "whiskers" or rolled edge, causes any inconsistent measurement you may see.

The same cutter can be used for all case length guages, but why not get the cutter too and have a complete cutter assy? Foolproof, and if you mechanize it you will develop your own "rhythm" to the process. If you are a high volume trimmer pass this up. I'm retired now and never had a need to trim large qties of brass. Cup of coffee and soft music makes trimming go quickly.
upload_2022-12-3_0-6-51.png upload_2022-12-3_0-7-16.png
 
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The LE Wilson is a great trimmer for bottleneck rifle cases. Consistently trims to within. 001". Neither fast nor cheap, but trims superbly. Requires a case holder for the cartridge being trimmed. Each case holder is compatable with a family of cartridges, such as 308/7mm-08/243 etc., or 30-06/270/25-06 etc., or 222/223/204 etc. No pilots required.
 
I like the Wilson trimmers too. My Forster trimmers cover a lot of ground though, a couple of stepped collets for the back of the case and I can machine pilots any diameter quicker than ordering more parts for any of the others I have.
 
www.lewilson.com
No need for the micro adjust or the little stand etc. just the basic lathe and a small vice keeps the price in check.
I adjust the trim length with a feeler gage
 

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+1 on the Lee case size gauge and trim die. They are cheap, reliable, and consistent. I’ve never used mine with a drill, but I think that I’ll try it on my next batch.
 
The Forster original case trimmer gives good results and you can get a three way cutter head for it that chamfers and deburrs at the same time it trims so you can eliminate that step from your process and save yourself some time. It's described as a "mini-lathe" and that's about how it feels to me. Its drawbacks are: you have to buy separate pilots for every caliber you reload for that might need trimming and this can lead to a lot of small parts that are easily misplaced and, if you're routinely trimming a bunch of Lake City once fired 7.62 with it, it becomes a very slow, tedious and even painful process and you have to keep an eye on your case lengths as you go because it will start cutting them too short. If you're just trimming a few thou off of these types of cases, it's no problem but if you're trimming 10-20 thou off of a hundred or more extra thick NATO cases, you're pushing the device beyond its capabilities.
If you aren't even messing with once fired Lake City 7.62 Brass, it's a fantastic little trimmer IMO. I will use it for bolt action rifles very happily. For volume loading the aforementioned NATO brass, I opted to buy a Giraud tri-way trimmer for about a hundred bucks that I chuck in my drill press and it will trim 500 of those once fired NATO cases between breakfast and lunch with plenty of time to spare.
 
First things to decide are do you want a manual or powered trimmer, then of course is what price range,
If you have a lot to trim then electric sure is helpful
Then does it come with the pilots or do you buy them separate,the RCBS trim pro is expensive but trims cases like a standard cutting tool but also chamfers and deburrs the case at the same time

Ah yes the joy of trimming brass!!:eek:

Ask 10 people and you will get 20 answers:)

https://www.midwayusa.com/case-trimmers-and-prep-centers/br?cid=8935

Or just move on up with the big boys and cry now and later!:)


https://www.giraudtool.com/giraud-power-trimmer.html
 
I'll give a +2 on the Lee case size gauge and trim die. I use it all the time to trim my brass.
 
I use the Hornady Lock N Load trimmer. I also added in the power adapter and use a cordless screwdriver to turn the cutting head. The only thing I don't like about it is that it's proprietary in that it requires Hornady shell holders to work with it.
 
avoid the Redding 2400.... the stepwise collet employed in the 2400 is difficult to obtain consistent results... my 2400 collects dust... presently use the $7 Lee trimmers as mentioned above.....
 
rfwobbly said:
Add the carbide cutter head to your existing Lyman trimmer. Then start oiling the trimmer. Done this way, mine holds case lengths to within 0.001".

https://www.lymanproducts.com/brands/lyman/case-trimmers-accessories/trimmer-accessories
Click to expand...
This is what I am going to to do. I dug this out of mothballs tonight and with some WD-40, a couple of Channel Locks, and some heat from a propane torch got everything loosened up and free. Although this trimmer is no beauty queen, (mud dauber nests in the hollow base), all the fits are excellent and no pitting. Going to order a pilot set and a carbide cutter for it. Thank you.
 
I have used a Forster Case Trimmer since the 1990's. One case at a time. It kept its length as it was used.
 
BBarn said:
The LE Wilson is a great trimmer for bottleneck rifle cases. Consistently trims to within. 001". Neither fast nor cheap, but trims superbly. Requires a case holder for the cartridge being trimmed. Each case holder is compatable with a family of cartridges, such as 308/7mm-08/243 etc., or 30-06/270/25-06 etc., or 222/223/204 etc. No pilots required.
Click to expand...
Thinking .280 works with the 2nd one?
 
frogfurr said:
This is what I am going to to do. I dug this out of mothballs tonight and with some WD-40, a couple of Channel Locks, and some heat from a propane torch got everything loosened up and free. Although this trimmer is no beauty queen, (mud dauber nests in the hollow base), all the fits are excellent and no pitting. Going to order a pilot set and a carbide cutter for it. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Lyman also makes a hex drive accessory for this trimmer that allows you to use a variable speed drill motor.

Here's mine...
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