Suggestion on trimmer vs trim/form dies

[ThemBastards]

I only plan on reloading for two calibers for the foreseeable future(30-06 and 8mm) and I was looking at trimmers and found this Reform and Trim die that converts 30-06 brass to 8mm length. This process is something I am already planning on doing, if I use 8mm brass in this die I would simply saw/file down the top of the case until flush and it would be the correct length for 8mm right?

In this scenario I would just need another 30-06 trim die to take care of my needs vs buying a separate trimmer.

I have found many stories of brass buckling when using normal dies to resize 30-06 to 8mm. I don't want to buy this die and a trimmer so my question is knowing that I already plan on resizing 30-06 to 8mm would you go with the trim dies or a separate trimmer? The price is around the same for 2 trim dies vs a cheap trimmer. What do you think?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/770975/rcbs-trim-and-form-die-8x57mm-mauser-8mm-mauser-from-30-06-springfield

[CEDaytonaRydr]

In all honesty, I've had really consistent results with the Lee drill mounted trimmers. It takes the guess-work out of the equation, and it's impossible to cut brass too short. That being said, it's not really adjustable, unless you want to file off some of the material even then, you can only make it trim shorter, not longer.

A better question to ask would be "which trimmers do I avoid". The answer to that question is the Lyman accutrim. I have one of those too; its garbage. I've seen variations in trim length in the tenths with that thing! Since it uses your normal case holders, it's indicating the brass from the top of the rim, not the back of the case and since manufacturers may have slight variations in rim thickness, the case length is inconsistent.

[mark501w]

Looks like a good set up. Your next question is going to be is, what is my diameter of my case mouth with a reloaded round?

[nubrun]

I have never used a die like that but I would think that would get tedious to file those by hand no? It seems like a standard trimmer would be faster and easier. I can trim -06 cases pretty quickly with a forster or RCBs trimmer.

[mark501w]

File vs. brass goes fast he needs to knock about a1/4" off the reformed case.

[OpenSightsOnly]

Since you are shooting the Garand, keep your '06 brass since you have to toss your brass after 4 or 5 loadings. The M1 is hard on the brass.

Just buy the 8mm brass, trying to form that from '06 brass is time consuming. What I'm saying is that your reloading should facilitate and enhance your trigger time as opposed to ball and chaining you to the reloading bench. Load it and shoot it!