Dillon Trimmer

[Ferrum]

Was thinking about breaking down and buying a Dillon trimmer. My plan is to mount this on a single stage press (Roch Chucker) and commit to a separate trimming station. Which brings me to a couple questions...

1.) Does the Dillon trimmer have to be used with the Dillon trim dies?

2.) Are all of the trim dies also sizing dies? Can they be used as trim only without sizing?

3.) I didn't see any options for SB or if its on regular FL? I used to just use FL, but found that my AR's like the SB better.

Thanks in advance for your time!

[joelogic]

Yes or dies for it from ch4d.

Yes. You can back it off so it doesn't bump the shoulder back.

FL only.

[xfer42]

1. Yes. The dies are 7/8 14TPI at bottom, and a different thread at top where the trimmer motor screws onto
2. Not sure.
3. Same with my uppers. I use SB along with the rapid trim.

Ive used it on a progressive press (LoadMaster and XL650) along with a RCBS .223 SB die. The shells are fairly loose once they get to the trim die, so I cant tell you how well it sizes. The Rapid Trim 1200 gets really hot after about 15mins and you have to stop and let it cool off. The motor is basically a brushed DC servo motor running at full speed with tons of torque.

[A and O]

Was thinking about breaking down and buying a Dillon trimmer. My plan is to mount this on a single stage press (Roch Chucker) and commit to a separate trimming station. Which brings me to a couple questions...

1.) Does the Dillon trimmer have to be used with the Dillon trim dies?

2.) Are all of the trim dies also sizing dies? Can they be used as trim only without sizing?

3.) I didn't see any options for SB or if its on regular FL? I used to just use FL, but found that my AR's like the SB better.

Thanks in advance for your time!

The Dillon Trim Dies are SB and of course FL.

In order to get a proper trim you will have to adjust the sizer Die as you would any other FL Sizing die.

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Might also add that all Dillon dies size to MINIMUM S.A.M.M.I. Specs.

All Dillon 223 FL dies are small Base Dies.


I don't understand why anyone would try to trim brass w/o using the sizing feature of the die, seems pointless to me. But hey, I may be missing something obvious here.

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I use a Dillon XL650 for processing all of my 223 Brass.

Station:

#1. I use a Standard DILLON STEEL 223 FL Die as a Decapper here because the Pin and Ball are both made of Carbide. I have found by experience this to be the best route. The Die reshapes the mouths so well that I am able to use Brass that otherwise would become scrap.

#2. Swage system

#3. Empty/used as a spacer for the trimmer

#4. Trim/Resize with Dillon Trim Die and Dillon RT1200 with a vacuum attached. Might add that I installed a Die ring under the Tool Head to hold the die in place. The trimmer spins at 5,000 RPM's and will change your settings if you don't lock it down and but good. Once set, you only have to check lengths and sizing when needed for errant too hard to size brass.

#5. Empty/used as a spacer for the trimmer

This setup produces near perfect results. I have an XL650 used only for 223 processing.

Before I process I tumble the Brass to a decent shine. Upon completing the processing I tumble again to remove the lube and bring out a brilliant shine.

I go to local Laundromats and harvest used fabric softener sheets and toss a couple into the mix while doing any tumble. Removes all of the dirt and lube. Well almost all, the fabric softener sheets give much extra life to the CC Media.

Also, I use the Frankford Arsenal (Midway) spray lube and have never so much as even had a hint that a case might get stuck. I've processed close to 15,000 LC/WCC/FC 223 brass in the last couple of weeks and have only positive results using the Frankford Arsenal spray lube. I use it generously and have not had even a dimple in the shoulder. I bought four bottles of this and used just under 2 bottles for 15k + cases. Do the math, I can't recommend this lube highly enough.

Hope this helps.

[ZakAttackMan]

The dillon dies might be considered SB dies however they come nowhere near to sizing as far down the body of the case as an RCBS SB die. I have an AR with a tight chamber and if I do not size my brass with an RCBS SB die the case will FTE. I have never had a FTE after using a RCBS SB die.

[NorCalDustin]

The dillon dies might be considered SB dies however they come nowhere near to sizing as far down the body of the case as an RCBS SB die. I have an AR with a tight chamber and if I do not size my brass with an RCBS SB die the case will FTE. I have never had a FTE after using a RCBS SB die.

If you always have to resize brass with the SB (beyond the first time) you may consider getting some work done on the rifle. If you can slow down the extraction the brass should fire form to the chamber really nicely.

My DDM4 is very tight and with a heavier buffer I only have to use my SB dies for the first resizing. After that I find that very little resizing is needed. I personally need so little resizing that I've experimented with not resizing the brass every time.

[ar15barrels]

1.) Does the Dillon trimmer have to be used with the Dillon trim dies?

2.) Are all of the trim dies also sizing dies? Can they be used as trim only without sizing?

3.) I didn't see any options for SB or if its on regular FL? I used to just use FL, but found that my AR's like the SB better.

1. Yes.

2. Yes, Not really.

3. They should be SB dimensioned sizing dies.

You will still need to expand the necks on the cases after they are sized/trimmed as there is no way to have an expander inside the case when the spinning cutter sits over the top of the die.
You will also need to decap the cases at some point.

My suggestion is to run the cases through the dillon trimmer before decapping.
Then, as a secondary operation, take a decapping stem out of a full-length or neck die and install the seating stem into a decapping die body.
Then, you will be able to neck expand and decap in the secondary operation.

[Ferrum]

Thanks everyone for the input! It's very appreciated!

[ivanimal]

http://www.giraudtool.com/prod02.htm

http://www.matchprep.com/trimmer.htm

I have the Gracey trimmer with the Giraud head.

[FLIGHT762]

http://www.giraudtool.com/prod02.htm

http://www.matchprep.com/trimmer.htm

I have the Gracey trimmer with the Giraud head.

Using a Dillon RT1200 on a single stage press, these tools ^^^^^^^are a better alternative. The Dillon trimmer is designed to be used on a progressive press where you can trim and then F/L resize in another station. The Dillon is fast on a progressive, that's how it was designed to be used.

On a single stage press with the Dillon, you trim, then have to run the cases back through a F/L die after being trimmed. I have owned all three trimmers. Since I use single stage, I went with the Giraud trimmer and it does all what i want to do. I prefer it over the Gracey.