TRIMMING BRASS FOR BIG BORE REVOLVERS?

[gcf]

I know a lot of guys don't, but for the those that do, what do you use?

I've been using a Forster Original trimmer on everything for years, but upon tooling up to load for a recently acquired 4 5/8" SBH in .480, I discovered that it would not work for that caliber - or anything bigger. Recommendation was to upgrade to the Forster Classic trimmer - which appears to be out of stock with all the usual suspects. New normal, I guess...

Starting out with new Starline brass, so the need is not immediate. That said, ya' just never know.

Anyway, I'm looking for options. Any suggestions?

[magman]

For Big Bores, I use the RCBS. I also believe in occasional trimming.

[starmetal47]

Some Forster trimmers came with extra holes in them to adjust the cutter for short and longer cartridges. You might take a look at yours and see if it has the extra holes.  Mine is a very old one bought in the early 70's. 

[squigz]

I went through this when I was trimming down my 500 JRH brass, I had to buy the same Foster trimmer and change everything around to get it to work. Otherwise, once I was done trimming that I don't think I've trimmed brass after that.

[starmetal47]

If you are mechanically inclined and good with a Mig or Tig welder you could get some V channel and make up your own rigs using Forster parts from your trimmer.  You could even drill multitiple holes in that channel to place the cutter section at any distance you like.  The welders would be for to weld up a base copying the Forster one. 

[foxtrapper]

Never had the need to trim straight wall pistol brass.

[bearskinner]

I haven’t found a need to trim straight wall cases, while reloading, but I do trim down parent cases to create wildcats. I have a manual, Hornady Cam Lock trimmer, that I use for trimming groups to length.
Yes, this model can trim .510 diameter brass and smaller

[starmetal47]

Not so much to trim for length, but haven't any of you ever had case mouths that weren't true? A trimmer trues the mouth up. May be important for an even consistant crimp.

[blackmamba]

I use the Wilson case trimming system for both pistol and rifle cartridges. The biggest I have is 45 caliber, and it does a nice job. Easy to use, accurate, works great. I don't trim often, but do need to occasionally.

[jgt]

I have used a lot of crank type case trimmers and was surprised when one day I checked to see how close the case length results were. I may have had unrealistic expectations, but I was not happy. After using a lee trimmer, I was really surprised. It looked so cheap, but the results were way closer lengths case to case. It is a little more work, but until I get a crank type trimmer that will give better results, I will stick with lee. The only crank I have not tried yet is my Wilson. Mine was used and the cutter was dull and only recently have I obtained a new cutter for it. At one time your could send those back for re-sharpening, but evidently that is not the case any longer. If you use a lee factory crimp die it may not matter. If you use a roll crimp, I would think case length would need to be the same in each cartridge or the roll crimp would be different from one case to the next.

[lockhart]

RCBS used to make trim dies. You run the case all the way into the die, then use a file to trim the case to the length it's supposed to be. They are very hard, harder than the file. I have one for 7mm BR brass, it came with the forming die set I bought. I don't know if they make em for big straight wall cases, tho.

[Ken O'Neill]

I’ve used an old Forster with multiple collet case holders since the early ‘70’s.

[lar4570]

I use the Lyman trimmer and have done 45-70 to 475 Linebaugh, and 500 S&W to 500 JRH. A pilot can be made with a cut off bolt in a drill with a file and hacksaw.

[gcf]

Thanks for the input Gents. For the record, problem with the Forster "Original" Trimmer, is not so much the case length (it's adjustable), but the OD of the .480 case. The trimmer head is just not quite big enough. Hence the need for the Forster "Classic" trimmer - with the larger diameter cutting head.

I'd sure settle for a used one in good shape - if I could find one.

The Hornady Cam Lock looks interesting, as well.

Fact is though, may not need one at all. The Starline 480 brass on my bench, is pretty uniform - all with in .001" - .002"...

[starmetal47]

Some have commented on the accuracy of the Forster trimmer. I think it trims cartridge length and neck turns pretty decent. May not be something a competitive benchrest shooter would want to use, but for us hunters, target shooters, and occassional serious target work it is okay. On the one I have I have trouble with the 45-70 case until boolitdesigner told me about opening up the face of the collect body to allow the rim to pass through it.