Recommendations on Case Trimmer

[alexisjohnson]

Hey Guys,

I'm looking at a few case trimmers and they all look basically the same. Which one is the best bang for your buck while being fairly accurate?

I'm currently using the 10 dollar lee one but its getting real old...real fast. I looked at the Giraud one as well and that thing was way beyond my budge. I'm looking for one around the 100 dollar range.

Any help would be appreciated!

[nimbus]

I bought a Possum Hollow and WFT for 223. I like the WFT better.

Giraud makes a tri-way trimmer that attaches to a hand drill or drill press.

http://www.giraudtool.com/Tri%20Way%20Trimmer.htm

Saving up for a Giraud powered trimmer though.

[Jmoreno88]

I use the WFT also and like it quite a bit. They say you may still need to debur the inside of the case mouth but I haven't had to as it cuts very cleanly

Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk

[pacrat]

Hey Guys,

I'm looking at a few case trimmers and they all look basically the same. Which one is the best bang for your buck while being fairly accurate?

I'm currently using the 10 dollar lee one but its getting real old...real fast. I looked at the Giraud one as well and that thing was way beyond my budge. I'm looking for one around the 100 dollar range.

Any help would be appreciated!

What is your goal for the trimmer? All have pros and cons. Are you going to use it for one cartridge or several different cartridges?

The cartridge specific trim units like the Giruad, WFT, Possum Hollow. Are fast. Pretty much require a different unit for each case size. And they do not index off the base to set OAL. They index off the shoulder, so are really only real accurate, when the cases being trimmed have been fired in the specific rifle the trimmer is set up for. If you are going to load for example, a .223, a .308, and a 7mm Rem Mag. You will have to invest about $300, just trimming cases.

Lathe type trimmers. Forster, Lyman, RCBS, etc. Index off the case base and set OAL of case. To change from one cartridge to another only requires a suitable pilot change. And offer the versatility of different "attachments" like neck turning capability. But they are slower than the shoulder index units if you use the original handle.

I use 2 Forster trimmers. One set up for trimming, and one set up for neck turning. You can speed them up a lot by removing the handle and chucking a slow speed variable cordless drill onto the shaft. Can be had pretty cheap on Flea-Bay compared to new units.

Even your little $10 Lee hand twisty unit can be sped up considerably by the addition of the Lee 3 jaw power chuck and a drill motor. I have the Lee Chuck for giving cases a quick spin polish with steel wool or scotch brite.


JM2c

[BigBronco]

If you are looking to trim more than two bottleneck rifle cartridges the a look at the Trim-it trimmer. I can still get a 15% discount on these for any calguner. One of these days citadelgrad is going to make a video review of it. If local to me, La Mirada area come by and try one.

[bigdrunk92037]

I have one of these and like it. Not as fast as a Giraud but it does a great job.

I upgraded the cutter (when the old one got dull) to an RCBS carbide and a added a RCBS crimp remover to one the stations.

Changing calibers, trim lengths is pretty quick and easy too.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/628405/frankford-arsenal-platinum-series-case-prep-and-trim-center

[dwalker]

Copied from the other thread yesterday on case trimmers:

I have an RCBS case trimmer with the three way cutting heads for 30 and 22 cal that trims, and deburrs/chamfers that I like a lot. I have considered getting the drill adapter but I really do not mind handcranking it. My buddy has a Giraud and its pretty awesome, might get one of those if I get a wild hair.

RCBS trimmer I use: http://midwayusa.com/product/817007/...se-trimmer-kit
3 way trimmer head- http://midwayusa.com/product/251948/...ter-30-caliber

[Diesel12]

WFT!! with the interchangeable calibers. Chuck it up to a drill press and your off and running.

[pacrat]

WFT!! with the interchangeable calibers. Chuck it up to a drill press and your off and running.

How much does each caliber chamber cost? Their website doesn't list a price, or even mention that they are sold as an option.

According to their site. My previous 3 caliber example, using their tool would require 3 different chambers.

https://littlecrowgunworks.com/product/worlds-finest-trimmer-wft/?v=3e8d115eb4b3

[dmy]

Check out Lyman EZ trim. You can buy different center posts for rifle or pistol or rifle cartridges.

[Enfield47]

If you are looking to trim more than two bottleneck rifle cartridges the a look at the Trim-it trimmer. I can still get a 15% discount on these for any calguner. One of these days citadelgrad is going to make a video review of it. If local to me, La Mirada area come by and try one.

+1 for the Trim-it. I use it on my bottleneck cases from .223 to 30-06. It does a pretty good trim job in short order, but it uses the shoulder for the trim length. If you have brass from differnt guns, you have to reset it for the best results. If you don't, you can end up with some shorter case necks.

[Diesel12]

How much does each caliber chamber cost? Their website doesn't list a price, or even mention that they are sold as an option.

According to their site. My previous 3 caliber example, using their tool would require 3 different chambers.

https://littlecrowgunworks.com/produ...v=3e8d115eb4b3

The extra trim chambers are $25 each. It is listed on their website. So the trimmer body comes with your choice of chamber. You would have to buy 2 more trim chambers to have 3 different calibers.

[Diesel12]

I stand corrected, the WFT2 trimmer has the interchangeable chamber. It only comes with the body and cutter. You would have to buy a chamber for each caliber you are trimming. The original WFT trimmer does not have an interchangeable chamber.

[pacrat]

I stand corrected, the WFT2 trimmer has the interchangeable chamber. It only comes with the body and cutter. You would have to buy a chamber for each caliber you are trimming. The original WFT trimmer does not have an interchangeable chamber.

OK, thanks. After clicking around on their site more I found the WFT2. So that would be $145 total plus S&H for 3 caliber trim capability.

I picked up one of my Forsters on E-barf not long ago for $25 because it was missing the stop collar. Which cost less than $5 from Forster. Accessories are relatively inexpensive. It can be used to trim [indexed off base for OAL], neck ream, neck turn, power or hand operated. A very versatile little trimmer.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Forster-case-trimmer-with-collets-1-3-/332040224073?hash=item4d4f23bd49:g:THwAAOSwB09YM7Ff#ht_1209wt_677

All depends what a loader is looking for, as to goals, expectations, and versatility.

JM2c

[gixxnrocket]

I think there was someone selling a Sinclair / L.E. Wilson trimmer in the reloading classifieds. They are super accurate but it is a manual trimmer. For me, the time spent is therapeutic, I'm not really in a hurry.