Recommend me a case trimmer

[HUTCH 7.62]

I am new to reloading, bought a RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme. Relized I need to trim alot of 300 win mag cases I’ve been stockpiling. Sooooooo......Recommend me a good manual case trimmer.

Tell me you likes and dislikes.

[micro911]

I use a Foster case trimmer. Very easy to use and convenient. I like it a lot.
https://www.forsterproducts.com/prod...-case-trimmer/

[smoothy8500]

I use the Lil crow Worlds Finest Trimmer with a drill. It indexes off the case shoulder. The shoulder collar spins on a roller bearing making it very smooth trimming. Second best is the Possum Hollow, which is similar to the WFT, but no bearing in the collar. It can be turned manually or with a drill. For full-on manual, you can't beat the Forster trimmer listed above.

[Citadelgrad87]

I bought the Wilson Sinclair manual trimmer for precision rifle trimming.

I have a WFT as well.

Both work.

[Mesa Defense]

Giraud’s work great for me.

[NORCAL#1]

^^^^

[JagerDog]

Do you expect to do other calibers in the future? How many is a bunch?

[NoHeavyHitter]

I bought the Lyman along with the power-drive adapter and a carbide cutting head. It works great for me as I can do 50 or so by hand, but if I've got 400 I break out the drill-drive adapter.

[sghart]

I know that you asked for recommendations on manual case trimmers but this one looks interesting.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/10...s-case-trimmer

I have trimmed cases manually for 40 years. I have never owned a powered trimmer. I have used most of the manual trimmers out there. The RCBS is my favorite and the Lee Quick Trim works very well also.

But my hands hurt now a days and their are times when I have processed hundreds of cases. I am now shopping for a powered trimmer. I was all set on the Frankford Arsenal one until I saw this new one from Lyman. It should be available soon.


Steve in N CA

[daboobe]

There are 2 methods commonly used to trim brass, Over all length, OAL is one and the other is trim to length based off the shoulder.
Lee, RCBS, Hornady, L E Wilson are example of OAL trimming. WFT, Giraud, Frankford Arsenal are off the shoulder.
Never used the off the shoulder method but I believe these are faster. But as I understand it these methods will occasionally need to be OAL trimmed after full length sizing (could be wrong about this).
I use the L E Wilson for accuracy and the old Lee case length gauge method for plinking stuff. Both of these are OAL trimmers. The Wilson is expensive, very accurate, beautiful in appearance, design and machining. The Lee is the least expensive, typical Lee quality but very effective, accurate and as fast as any of the other OAL types.

[Animal.]

Originally Posted by sghart

I know that you asked for recommendations on manual case trimmers but this one looks interesting.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/10...s-case-trimmer

I have trimmed cases manually for 40 years. I have never owned a powered trimmer. I have used most of the manual trimmers out there. The RCBS is my favorite and the Lee Quick Trim works very well also.

But my hands hurt now a days and their are times when I have processed hundreds of cases. I am now shopping for a powered trimmer. I was all set on the Frankford Arsenal one until I saw this new one from Lyman. It should be available soon.


Steve in N CA

That one does look interesting. I am going to have to keep an eye out for that one when it comes out.

[cavemanlrrp]

Another L.E. Wilson user here.

I want my measurement full length, not off the shoulder. Each case exactly the same. The Wilson will do that.
Plus you cane get case holder for each caliber you load for. And it can be pretty fast once you get a rhythm going. I also like the micrometer measurement setting.

Best
caveman

[smoothy8500]

Originally Posted by cavemanlrrp

I want my measurement full length, not off the shoulder. Each case exactly the same. The Wilson will do that.

A common complaint of some WFT or Possum Hollow users is their trim length is "all over the place" or inconsistent. This indicates their resizing procedure is inconsistent, causing the case shoulder variations.

[JagerDog]

Originally Posted by smoothy8500

A common complaint of some WFT or Possum Hollow users is their trim length is "all over the place" or inconsistent. This indicates their resizing procedure is inconsistent, causing the case shoulder variations.

I've had the Forster with all the collets, reamers, etc. for years. Easy to adjust, accurate/repeatable. Does rely on you properly seating the case in the collet properly. The trimming action goes fairly quick, but a lot of motions/handling. Trimming goes even faster with the power adapter.

After doing 1000 .223 cases, I didn't want to do that again. Got a .223 specific WFT and chucked it in the HF drill press. PITA to adjust length, but once set, held OAL just as accurate as the Forster (+/- 0.001).

Smaller volume on various calibers, I run the Forster.

The cam lock on the Hornady could be valuable.

[Divernhunter]

I had a RCBS manual case trimmer for many years. Then a friend gave me the RCBS electric powered one and I wish I had got one years ago. I really like it and it is fast. I have done 1,000's of cases on it in many different cartridges.

You can buy the manual unit and later upgrade it with the motor if you want.

[Spyder]

Giraud. Always giraud.

[Spyder]

Giraud. Always giraud.

[JagerDog]

Originally Posted by Spyder

Giraud. Always giraud.

Ummm....no.

[Ramsh00ter]

I have four depending on what I am trimming.

Little Crow for 223
Forester for hunting rounds. For general stuff, you can't beat it.
Wilson (most accurate) for target stuff
Older RCBS hardly ever get used because of the way the collate works, not very accurate. Never liked it.

JMHO

[NiMiK]

Dillon on my press for my 223 or bulk cases and LE Wilson for precision.

[HUTCH 7.62]

Originally Posted by JagerDog

Do you expect to do other calibers in the future? How many is a bunch?

Mostly rifle calibers .223 all the way up 300 winmag and maybe 45 70 in the future

[RookieShooter]

Another vote for L.E. Wilson Trimmer.

[HUTCH 7.62]

Originally Posted by NoHeavyHitter

I bought the Lyman along with the power-drive adapter and a carbide cutting head. It works great for me as I can do 50 or so by hand, but if I've got 400 I break out the drill-drive adapter.

Is the Lyman easy to use?

[highpower790]

What , no love for a Gracey?Get a carbide cutter from Bob Jones and you wont be disappointed.

[Spyder]

Originally Posted by JagerDog

I've had the Forster with all the collets, reamers, etc. for years. Easy to adjust, accurate/repeatable. Does rely on you properly seating the case in the collet properly. The trimming action goes fairly quick, but a lot of motions/handling. Trimming goes even faster with the power adapter.

After doing 1000 .223 cases, I didn't want to do that again. Got a .223 specific WFT and chucked it in the HF drill press. PITA to adjust length, but once set, held OAL just as accurate as the Forster (+/- 0.001).

Smaller volume on various calibers, I run the Forster.

The cam lock on the Hornady could be valuable.

Your response fits here as well.

Originally Posted by JagerDog

Ummm....no.

[anyracoon]

Giraud for all my semi auto rifles, have a RCBS power trimmer for all off ball stuff

[JagerDog]

Originally Posted by Spyder

Your response fits here as well.

Because you said so?

How compelling.

[JagerDog]

Originally Posted by HUTCH 7.62

Mostly rifle calibers .223 all the way up 300 winmag and maybe 45 70 in the future

Volume? That's the million dollar question. There's many very effective ways to trim brass.

While consistent lengths can benefit crimping, 45-70 doesn't stretch like bottle-necked cartridges.

[zouaveherb]

I had a Lyman manual trimmer for years. Worked very well. I ended up with an RCBS Trim Pro-2 powered trimmer so I gave the Lyman away. The one thing that the Lyman was better was the case head holder. It was a universal design that worked with almost any case head so that the only thing that you had to change out was the pilot that went into the case neck. The OAL adjustment was decent enough. Just don't use ball-ended hex keys (the ball end will break off) on the set screws and make sure you put a small piece of plastic under the set screws so you don't scratch the shaft. RCBS came out with a universal holder and I'm tempted to upgrade my Trim Pro with it.

[FLIGHT762]

Originally Posted by highpower790

What , no love for a Gracey?Get a carbide cutter from Bob Jones and you wont be disappointed.

I used a Gracey for a number of years with the cutter upgrade. Bought a Giraud.

I sold the Gracey. The Giraud is a much better product.

[Kwikvette]

Originally Posted by JagerDog

Ummm....no.

Why are you against the Giraud?

[triggs75]

Forster trimmer with power adaptor and tri way trimmer on it. This way it does all three at once don’t have to chamfer and deburr after.

If doing more than a few hundred yes the giraud or Henderson trimmer here:

https://www.hendersonprecision.com/p...m-case-trimmer

Chad

[JagerDog]

Originally Posted by Kwikvette

Why are you against the Giraud?

Did you make that up? Where did I denounce the Giraud?

[phdo]

Giraud. You’ll thank me later.

[Bumslie]

Originally Posted by JagerDog

Ummm....no.

2nd that

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[pacrat]

Originally Posted by HUTCH 7.62

I am new to reloading, bought a RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme. Relized I need to trim alot of 300 win mag cases I’ve been stockpiling. Sooooooo......Recommend me a good manual case trimmer.

Tell me you likes and dislikes.

Add me to the "Forster Club". I have 2.......one set up for trimming. One set up for neck turning. I have been using [first one] sine IIRC 1972 or there about. Got the second one so I didn't have to change setups from trimming to turning. I use a low rpm cordless drill to power both.

Standard Forster can be used to trim any size case, other than 50-BMG size monsters. With simply changing the pilot and or collet. Which only takes seconds. High production trimmers are "Cartridge Specific". And require a separate trimmer for each cartridge to be trimmed.

Easy to set up, adjust, and use. Parts [collets-pilots-adapters] readily available from multiple sources for reasonable prices. There are a few on E-bay right now.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...immer&_sacat=0

Lathe type trimmers [Forster] index off of case base, and give true case OAL. High production units like Giraud, WFT, etc index off of shoulder. They do not give consistent OAL of case, just the neck of case.

Depending on your stated needs. I suggest lathe type, so you can trim your 300 mag cases and add others as needed. Of the lathe type. I have personally found the Forster best in versatility and ease of use. Also less expensive than others if you do some diligent shopping.

JM2c

Load safe, have fun.

[Distinct_Editz]

I have two Lyman trimmers, one Universal, the other for BMG. I hate both of them. Not accurate enough, and you spend too much time fiddling with the adjustments. I have a CTS Trimmer which had a lead time fo 6 weeks. I love it. However I've been looking into Forster trimmers, I think it should be an upgrade from my Lyman trimmer.

Have fun picking what trimmer to use, everyone has their own opinion, and there's a lot of us

[Metal God]

I have two Lyman trimmers, one Universal, the other for BMG. I hate both of them. Not accurate enough

With all do respect , all that means is you don't know how to use them . I have the universal and all my cases come out +/- .0005 . Mine adjust just fine and I like how it has two adjustments . Large ring gets you close and the second ring gives you marked .001 increment adjustments . Great tool IMHO You do need to lock the large ring down tight and don't slam it home with out a case in it . That will cause it to loose it's setting because the lock ring can slide on the smooth lubed shaft if hit with enough force .

There is likely better but the Lyman is more then adequate for most of us . I also love the ease in which the case locks into the base . No separate shell holders , doesn't matter what you're trimming it just pops in there regardless of size or type .

It not only trims mine perfectly to length . It also cuts them square as well

Here are a line of cases standing on there mouths after trimming . If they were not all square you would see some leaning one way or the other from the rest .


Here's an example of what out of square would look like lined up



Here's a 223 case I trimmed down so I could see the primer pocket de-buring I did and be able to take a pic as well . So If you plan to do some wild cats It will work for those as well



Anyways I like mine , I will add I don't use my collets . The shavings tend to cause the case to bind up and after testing many cases I find the collets not to be needed .

[boyguan]

No one uses the F A case prep center?

[knucklehead0202]

Lots of people seem to like spending too much money on overcomplicated stuff. LEE case length gauge/shellholder adapted for use on case prep center with cheap adapter bought on ebay. Lyman case-prep center. I reload almost 2 dozen different chambering and LEE makes the gauge/shellholder for most of them. I load weird crap too so that's saying something. The adjustable universal Lyman is a good manual trimmer, but i try to streamline wherever i can since i never have time for this stuff.