Reloading: cheap case trimmers

[SnikPlosskin]

I see there are case trimmers that you chuck in a drill. But how the hell do you set them to end up with a precise length?

It looks like you just jam the case in there but, like a pencil sharpener, it just keeps cutting?

Wish my supplies would get here from Midway.

[StaticCling]

You are probably referring to the cheap little Lee case trimmers. They cut the case to a fixed length. They work, but they are tedious.

I use an LE Wilson trimmer myself...

[SnikPlosskin]

You are probably referring to the cheap little Lee case trimmers. They cut the case to a fixed length. They work, but they are tedious.

I use an LE Wilson trimmer myself...

Yep. So whatever length the case is, it trims it to the correct length.

I'll look up the LE Wilson unit.

[AU Eagle]

Subscribing to this...as I also need one.

[JRD77VET]

Here's the one I use
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/JRD77VET/Seneca%20Arms%20Co/reloading/DCP_4654.jpg

RCBS has two styles like this one. One like mine with easy to change plates to hold the case and another that uses collets.

[StaticCling]

Yep. So whatever length the case is, it trims it to the correct length.

I'll look up the LE Wilson unit.

Yeah, I have found the Lee trims a little short sometimes. For example, I believe it trims .223 to 1.750 where as most of the published data I have seen suggests 1.760. Not a big deal really, and of course I am pulling those numbers out of my ass off the top of my head...I do still use the Lee unit when reloading my 30-30 cartridges, mostly because I don't reload that cartridge in any kind of volume.

The LE Wilson is a GREAT trimmer, but there are many others on the market that are good also. Mine also has a Sinclair International 'Shark Fin' upgrade. They are a little on the pricey side also. You could probably do just as good with a Hornady, RCBS, Lyman, Redding trimmer units. They all do the same job in the end.

I went with the Wilson for the primer pocket ream capability, and they work on a slightly different idea than some of the others.

You could always look into a Giraud, the Cadillac of case trimmers. :D

GTC Trimmer (http://www.giraudtool.com/prod02.htm)

[StaticCling]

I actually really like the little Lee trimmers, because you cannot 'fu*k it up' so to speak, but if you are doing any kind of volume, forget about it. They are slow and hard on your fingers.


And FWIW, I never trim pistol brass. Ever.

[JRD77VET]

Yeah, I have found the Lee trims a little short sometimes. For example, I believe it trims .223 to 1.750 where as most of the published data I have seen suggests 1.760. Not a big deal really, and of course I am pulling those numbers out of my ass off the top of my head...I do still use the Lee unit when reloading my 30-30 cartridges, mostly because I don't reload that cartridge in any kind of volume.

The LE Wilson is a GREAT trimmer, but there are many others on the market that are good also. Mine also has a Sinclair International 'Shark Fin' upgrade. They are a little on the pricey side also. You could probably do just as good with a Hornady, RCBS, Lyman, Redding trimmer units. They all do the same job in the end.

I went with the Wilson for the primer pocket ream capability, and they work on a slightly different idea than some of the others.

You could always look into a Giraud, the Cadillac of case trimmers. :D

GTC Trimmer (http://www.giraudtool.com/prod02.htm)

Max cartridge length for .223/5.56 is 1.760 and trim to length is 1.750

[StaticCling]

Max cartridge length for .223/5.56 is 1.760 and trim to length is 1.750

Okay, I knew it was something in the neighborhood of that. I haven't rolled any ammo in quite awhile either. I am impressed with myself. :D

I don't know exactly what the little Lee trimmers trim to, but I seem to recall they were a bit short. Regardless, I never had any issues with them...outside of them being tedious and a bit of a pain in the ass.

[JRD77VET]

Okay, I knew it was something in the neighborhood of that. I haven't rolled any ammo in quite awhile either. I am impressed with myself. :D

I don't know exactly what the little Lee trimmers trim to, but I seem to recall they were a bit short. Regardless, I never had any issues with them...outside of them being tedious and a bit of a pain in the ass.

I verified the numbers in a few books before posting ( as a machinist, I'm a numbers nut :D )

With my trimmer, I bring in the cutter until it just touches, lock the main set screw on the shaft (where the allen wrench is) and then use the fine adjustment to dial in exactly where I want to be. ( another set screw locks that in place) Each one of those graduation is .001

Then the case mouth is deburred using the chamfer tool on both the ID and the OD. ( use your finger nail to check for burrs, if it doesn't catch, it's good )

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/JRD77VET/Seneca%20Arms%20Co/reloading/DCP_4654.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/JRD77VET/Seneca%20Arms%20Co/reloading/DCP_4655.jpg

[SnikPlosskin]

Looks like at least $100. Will have to wait.

I have read that the Lee trimmer is brutal on the fingers.

I need a mixer to keep working...

[JRD77VET]

Looks like at least $100. Will have to wait.

I have read that the Lee trimmer is brutal on the fingers.

I need a mixer to keep working...

I forget who but somebody makes a guage that you put the sized case in and run a file across the top. A quality smooth cut file would make short work of sizing cases and won't cost $100. ( check your local craigslist constantly for relaoding supplies too )

Sent you an email, let me know about the primer