not liking the 223 lee trimmer

[JBrady555]

Hey folks my 223 reloading stuff arrived today. I like my lee challenger press and lee sizing die, but the lee trimmer is giving me a fit. It trims erractic. I can't ever hit 1.750, it's either a few thousandths too short or long. When I first tightened it on the cutter it was trimming to 1.740, had to back it out a little. Also my brass keeps falling out unless I drill real slow. What are some other options for trimming more consistently without breaking the bank. Thanks.

 

[splattergun]

1.74 and 1.75 is reasonable. The erratic behavior you're experiencing is because you "backed it out". The trimmer and guide needs to be screwed together tight.
Also, you should only need a few spins of the drill to trim to length, so drilling at high speed is unnecessary. I always go slow with mine, it takes just a second or 2 to trim, and I have never had the shell holder come loose.

 

[JBrady555]

Thanks. Screwed all the way in will give 1.740. Isn't that below minimum case length? If not, what is the minimum?

 

[Reloadron]

The SAAMI specification for 223 case length is 1.760" -0.030" and we typically trim to 1.750". Anywhere between 1.730" and 1.760" is within specification. I generally stride for uniformity within a lot or batch that I trim.

Ron

 

[matrem]

FYI
I happened to notice answers to that on another thread in this section this evening.
May be worth checking out.

 

[JamieC]

I chuck my Lee trimmer into the drill press, using a piece of hard rubber on the table to help keep the brass from turning. As fast as I can pick 'em up and put 'em down. I use the drill press stop.

 

[JBrady555]

Also how hard should I be pushing the chamfer/debur tool into the brass while on the drill? Don't want to over do it.

On another note.. are 223 primers the same size as small pistol primers? Or will I need to chanbe out parts on my dillon press to accommodate different primers?

 

[Elkins45]

Yes, the primers are the same size.

 

[OYE]

Lee trimmer

You will find that if you trim each time it's sized the drill will not be necessary.
It will take off a thin shaving in a turn or two by hand. It will make trimming quite easy. It's quite fast. OYE

 

[gamestalker]

I've been using that trimmer for as long as I've been reloading, which is about 3 decades, and I have never had a single problem, works great. I have a case length gauge for every caliber, all trim right on the dot too SAAMI spec..

My guess is your trying to adjust how much it trims off, that will definitely cause inconsistent trim lengths. There is no reason to adjust how much they trim off, they are all made to trim to SAAMI trim too length. But if you were wanting to do something like that, you can shim the rod with a small piece of feeler gauge if so desired, though I can't imagine why you would want to.

And the problem with the brass falling out of the shell holder, is because your not tightening it enough. Just give it a slight tweak with a pair of needle nose, and after a couple hundred rounds the threads will break in and hold down when finger tight.

GS

 

[Gadawg88]

Lyman universal trimmer with power adapter. Can attach your drill and trim brass quickly and consistently.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...rsal_Trimmer_With_Power_Adapter_and_9_Pilots_

 

[vongh]

Also how hard should I be pushing the chamfer/debur tool into the brass while on the drill? Don't want to over do it.

On another note.. are 223 primers the same size as small pistol primers? Or will I need to chanbe out parts on my dillon press to accommodate different primers?

When you deburr the cases using the chamfer tool. You should not have to push very hard at all and should only take a few seconds of contact.

 

[Gadawg88]

On another note.. are 223 primers the same size as small pistol primers? Or will I need to chanbe out parts on my

Yes, small rifle primers have the same dimensions as small pistol primers.

 

[carbine85]

I had a Lee trimmer years ago and didn't care for. It was one of those you get what you pay for things. I settled on a Lyman trimmer for the smaller jobs.
Get a Lyman case gauge to drop your cases in. You find that a lot of case don't need to be trimmed. It's fast and easy.

 

[JBrady555]

I got a dillon gause on the way

 

[spitballer]

On another note.. are 223 primers the same size as small pistol primers?

The dimensions are the same, but I suspect that .223's in general should be using magnum primers. It is, after all, essentially a modified .222 Rem magnum. Others may disagree in the case of extruded powders, but I would note that 52.000 psi M193 ammo was at one time loaded with IMR 3031, and surely it had mag primers.

 

[JBrady555]

Well I see what happened with my trimmer. When I tightened it down I actually started shaving it with the cutter. It's ruined now, cutting all the wayears down to 1.728. Gonna buy another trimmer but still not sure which one. Maybe a lee quick trim? I like the little crow but I hear it doesn't do well if you don't head stamp sort since it measures off the shoulder.

 

[CHALK22]

Google the Dead-On trimmers. Like a little crow, but I think the adjustment is better. He doesn't have a website, but I think they are available on amazon from him. I just bought one after years of Lee trimming and hating it. Trimming is now almost effortless and you can adjust to any length you want.

 

[horseman1]

Well I see what happened with my trimmer. When I tightened it down I actually started shaving it with the cutter. It's ruined now, cutting all the wayears down to 1.728. Gonna buy another trimmer but still not sure which one. Maybe a lee quick trim? I like the little crow but I hear it doesn't do well if you don't head stamp sort since it measures off the shoulder.

I had the same thing happen to one of mine. I just bought another one and have watched it more carefully. I also bought a cutter for each one, so I dont screw and unscrew the cutter. Seems to last longer for me that way.

I don't understand the comment about the Little Crow though. If you size the brass in the same sizing die, wouldn't the shoulder be in the same spot no matter the head stamp? Let me know what I'm missing on that..

Regards,
H1

 

[JBrady555]

I was just echoing a gripe I heard from a little crow user who said his lengths were erratic when using mixed brass.

 

[kostner]

One day I just said the hell with the Lee trimmer and ordered the Possum Hollow trimmer and never looked back. Chucked it into my drill press and could not be happier. Did the same when I ordered the Dillon Super Swage another worth wile tool for the AR shooter.