Recommend me a case trimmer!

[seancass]

I think i need a case trimmer, what do you guys use? Price is a big consideration!

This is for 223 primarily. I've only loaded pistols before now and I've never had cases go over spec length.

I'd like it to be quick, easy, accurate, and precise. The price of the Lee quick trim was tempting, but midway users reported plus/minus two thousands tolerance and i think that would anger my OCD/enginerd side. What sort of tolerance do you guys expect from your trimmer?

What say ye?

[bradshaw]

Forster is hard to beat: ancient, simple, beautiful. Redding ain't bad, either.
David Bradshaw

[Deleted]

I have a Gracey, set up for 223, 308, and 30-06. It holds a couple of thousandths, brass acts kind of funny when you jam it into a pencil sharpener.

[oldschool]

Oct 7, 2013 17:55:35 GMT -5 seancass said:

I think i need a case trimmer, what do you guys use? Price is a big consideration!

This is for 223 primarily. I've only loaded pistols before now and I've never had cases go over spec length.

I'd like it to be quick, easy, accurate, and precise. The price of the Lee quick trim was tempting, but midway users reported plus/minus two thousands tolerance and i think that would anger my OCD/enginerd side. What sort of tolerance do you guys expect from your trimmer?

What say ye?

Well, I've used Herters, Forster, RCBS, and Lee. I tend to use my Lee trimmer a lot because of its simplicity and the ability to use it with a drill or drill press, making it a reasonably fast process. However, when I attempted to automate a process for trimming large quantities of .223/5.56, I found even the Lee to be sorely lacking.

I was looking at the World's Finest Case Trimmer (Little Crow Gunworks) or the Possum Hollow trimmer (look them up on youtube to see them in operation), when I ran across the CTS Trimmer being sold on ebay. From all the positive reports and reviews, I'm about to order a CTS to try. They can be found here:

www.ebay.com/itm/CTS-223-Case-Trimmer-/271209882598?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f255e63e6

Not as nice as a Dillon RT-1200, Gracie, or Giraud, but a whole lot cheaper!

[tangocharlie]

I load several different rifle calibers, sometimes in quantity. I'm old enough that manual trimmers can be a literal pain. I bought a Lyman power trimmer a few years back and it has served well. It replaced a Lyman hand cranked trimmer so I already had all the caliber specific pilots. The one size fits most quick adjust shellholder works well, easily adjustable for trim length, and holds adjustment well. So far, so good....

[paul105]

Let me start off by saying that I really hate trimming cases.

If you are shooting large numbers of .223s, you will wear yourself (and your hands)out with a manual trimmer.

If your budget is really limited (and the 223 is the only cartridge you load for), I'd get the Lee "case length gauge/shell holder", cutter and shell holder stud. I would then buy an RCBS X die (if you already have RCBS sizer, you can buy the X die mandrel only). I'd trim the cases intially using the Lee with the aid of a power drill and set the X die up for the longest case of the batch.

If my budget wasn't limited, I'd jump right in an buy a Gracie or Giraud and never look back (both trim, chamfer and deburr in one operation) and are operated just like a pencil sharpener. Did I say how much I hate trimming cases.

In my never ending search to speed up this process my trimming tools evolved as follows (all purchased before I knew about Gracie/Giraud.

Forster (manual),

Lyman power trimmer,

RCBS power trimmer w/auto feed and 3 way cutters (trims, chamfers and deburrs simultaneouly),

Individual Lee case length gages/shell holders, cutter and lock stud (power drill) for every cartridge I reload for.

Also have RCBS X Dies for several different calibers.

Have been seriously considering a Gracie or Giraud for the last couple of years.

For me, case trimming is a chore and manual trimmers make it that much more of pain.

FWIW,

Paul

[nolongcolt]

Case trimming!!! AAARGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! Years ago my dad called me up and said "hey son, I got a whole bunch of brass that needs trimming, I'll bring 'em right over!"
"Dad, I hate trimming brass!"
"So do I".
"Too bad, trim 'em yourself, I aint doin it!"

I use an RCBS manual trimmer and I hate trimming brass! In my mind a couple thousands one way or the other makes no difference, as long as they are not too long and jam in the chamber. I gotta upgrade someday!

[axel]

If you won't spring for a Giraud, the only other choice is the Hornaday. I have and use both, but the Giraud gets the nod for all rifle brass. The Hornaday is the best manual I've seen; easy and accurate.

[cmillard]

i have an L.E. Wilson and highly recommend it for a manual trimmer

[Deleted]

Gracey in action. www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ8Vrcu8oHs

[jsh]

I have had several manual trimmer over the years. All are gone but the Forster.
I like it because it can do a pretty decent job of neck turning if you ever so desire or need too. You can also get the cordless screwdriver adapter to take some of the chore out of it.
A couple of guys I shoot with both have the rcbs auto case trimmer. It will trim and inside and outside chamfer all in one whack.
I myself would sure like to handle one of the new Hornady trimmers. I just don't need another gadget nor do I have room for one on the bench.
Jeff

[eagle1899]

I hate trimming brass!!!! I've used Lyman, Lee, RCBS...... They all work and they all take forever.
If he is just dipping his toe in the water any will work. Let his budget guide him.

In the buy once cry once category I bought a Dillon 550b with the power trimmer. It is the best!
For trimming and loading a variety of ammo I can't think of a better way to go.

[bushog]

I have Redding and Forster...won't use either one now

Wilson is the only way to go.

Look at Sinclair. They have some basic ones as well as many options.