Let's talk Case Trimmers

[Robb]

I started reloading a couple winters ago and will continue this winter. So far I've been case gauging/mic-ing and seperating .223 & .30 carbine brass that is too long and just setting it aside, I have never used a trimmer and this winter I'd like to buy one. In the future I hope to reload pistol and other rifle cartridges. Also I'm no benchrester and don't play the hyper-accuracy game. My son and I are "Fudd's", we plink and go hunting.

On case trimmers I'm just confused as to what choice to make. Money is an issue & I want to purchase once. I can't swing the Garaud or Dillon electrics and I'll be trimming multiple calibers. The Possom Hollow's sound great and cheap but are unavailable for .30 carbine (and pistol brass?) Wilsons sound great but I hear are slow even with a drill attached.

I envision a trimmer in a vice or fixture with a drill. I'd like as much accuracy, repeatability and caliber flexibility as possible.

Based on what I'm looking for, what would be the trimmer for me?

Robb

[rondog]

I recently bought a Giraud, and it's the shizz! But, it's expensive and won't do .30 carbine AFAIK. I also have a Lyman Universal, and it'll do nearly any case you need. Get the optional shaft to use a cordless drill on it, and it should be fine for you. You'll still have to bevel and chamfer by hand though, but if you're not doing thousands of cases it's a good option IMO.

Just remember that your cases have to be deprimed and resized before you trim them to length! And pistol cases generally don't need to be trimmed.

[gnihcraes]

I recently bought a Giraud, and it's the shizz! But, it's expensive and won't do .30 carbine AFAIK. I also have a Lyman Universal, and it'll do nearly any case you need. Get the optional shaft to use a cordless drill on it, and it should be fine for you. You'll still have to bevel and chamfer by hand though, but if you're not doing thousands of cases it's a good option IMO.

Just remember that your cases have to be deprimed and resized before you trim them to length! And pistol cases generally don't need to be trimmed.

and you can take the cutting head and case holder off and put them in the drill press if you need to do a bunch of .223.

[Hoser]

You cant beat LE Wilson trimmers.

[HBARleatherneck]

delete

[Robb]

I don't have a drill press and am limited on space, whatever I buy goes on a bench or in the vice (which is on the bench) and is cranked by hand or preferably I hook a motor/drill to it.
I liked the 3way cutters that trim, chamfer and bevel all in one step. At least from reading about them I think I like them. I believe that's RCBS. Seems like that would be handy in not having to touch the same piece of brass multiple times.

I've read the Wilson's are the best manuals, just slow from tapping the shell into and out of the caseholder, that seems like that would be a bit of a pain. My original fav was a Forster, but I can get a Wilson cheaper, at least at first.
I would have just opted for the Possum Hollow trimmers, but I have a good amount of 30 carbine to work and that's the reason for asking about trimmers. I think that's the only way to get 30 carbine done.

Thanks for your replys, I appreciate it. Not sure what direction I'm going you but from everything I've read there's probably is no wrong way to go and all the major players make a decent trimmer that would last forever and do what I'm asking.

Robb

[esaabye]

I did this thread once before, what worked for me is the RCBS with the 3way cutters. I mounted it on a portable table, put some guides in for a drill, attach a now 11 year old boy to one and and I feed brass from the other. We can punch thru 500 in an hour but typically do a few hundred at a time and take a brake.

http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/attach...8&d=1286047829

http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showth...hlight=trimmer

[Robb]

esaabye,

Thanks for re-hashing an old post, your setup looks about perfect to me.
Robb

[Tim K]

You cant beat LE Wilson trimmers.

I made a very simple jig for mine to hold the case holder to the trimmer with a toggle clamp. It's the same idea as the thing Wilson sells in their deluxe kit, or whatever it's called.

Even hand cranked it's plenty fast for trimming a couple hundred cases. If I had to do a really big pile, I'd find another way, but for my needs it's perfect.

[T-Jet]

You cant beat LE Wilson trimmers.

+1