Your favorite hobby: help spend my money on a case trimmer

[rookhawk]

I can always count on you guys to help me buy stuff. I need a case trimmer. I'm not too worried about massive Nitro Express cartridges as I do have a file trim die for my 470NE. So I'm really looking for 375HH and the small-to-medium bores. I'm open to one that does bigger though.

What do all of you recommend? Only one I ever owned was an old Lyman and I remember it cut for Sh&t and was inconsistent.

 

[Shootist43]

Rookhawk, I still use my old hand cranked Lyman. I have found that I need to brush away any chips that might accumulate on the cutter like every other round or so. I just use an old toothbrush. When trimming a bunch of cases, I set my caliper and lock it into place, then simply pass the case through it. BTW I generally turn the crank several revolutions, then loosen the collet a bit and back the crank up a little, then retighten the collet / holder, and push the crank back in and turn it for a couple more revolutions.

 

[baxterb]

I use an RCBS and have swapped the big knob for a baitcaster reel handle. It is much smoother to use. Does a great job and I measure every case.

 

[Rem700stw]

Forester, buy once cry once.

 

[TucsonFX4]

Forester, buy once cry once.

+1

 

[BourbonTrail]

Give the Giraud Power Trimmer a look.

Giraud Power Trimmer

Key Benefits

giraudtool.com

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I get by with a Lyman. But after using it I think I would look elsewhere.

 

[Bullthrower338]

I’m liking the Hornady case prep center

 

[Rare Breed]

I can always count on you guys to help me buy stuff. I need a case trimmer. I'm not too worried about massive Nitro Express cartridges as I do have a file trim die for my 470NE. So I'm really looking for 375HH and the small-to-medium bores. I'm open to one that does bigger though.

What do all of you recommend? Only one I ever owned was an old Lyman and I remember it cut for Sh&t and was inconsistent.

Help please…rookhawk don’t want to hihjack your thread but I am fairly new to reloading. I have a hand RCBS trimmer…stupid question but how and when do I know I need to trim my cases?

 

[meigsbucks]

I went from the RCBS rotary trimmer to the Lyman Brass Smith Xpress trimmer a couple of years ago. Where has this been all my life! Only downside is it doesn’t do straight wall cases.

Lyman Brass Smith Case Trim Xpress Case Trimmer

Lyman's Case Trim Xpress gives rifle reloaders the speed and accuracy that they have been looking for when trimming cases! The unit has its own power...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[rookhawk]

Help please…rookhawk don’t want to hihjack your thread but I am fairly new to reloading. I have a hand RCBS trimmer…stupid question but how and when do I know I need to trim my cases?

In your loading manual there is a max case length and a trim-to length. Trim when it’s too long.

 

[JPetroni]

Rookhawk,
if you’re looking for a manual unit and very precise, I use and can recommend the Wilson, micrometer trimming unit. really high quality tool in my opinion. you will have to buy a case holder die for each caliber but that enables you to trim to length based off of the shoulder, not the base of the case as in all of the collet type of trimmers from the big four. I have used all of them and much prefer the Wilson. Can’t help you if you’re looking for a powered type of tool. I like to do everything by hand, prefer precision over speed.

JP

 

[CBH Australia]

Help please…rookhawk don’t want to hihjack your thread but I am fairly new to reloading. I have a hand RCBS trimmer…stupid question but how and when do I know I need to trim my cases?

In your loading manual there is a max case length and a trim-to length. Trim when it’s too long.

You can measure these with calipers or there is a case length gauge that does multiple common cartridges that is quick and suitable for most reloaders.
The gauge is maybe $30
Vernier calipers are handy for reloaders in various ways but something suitable might start at $80 and go into the hundreds

 

[JPetroni]

Wilson Photo

 

[CBH Australia]

Forster, Sinclair, LEWilson. All pricey, but precision gear.

Some would say LEE does the job. Some are great advocates for LEE products.

Do you have a price point or are you going to spring for the big names?

 

[Caveman]

I use the L.E. Wilson as well for small/medium calibers including 375 HH. No complaints, works great.

 

[Bonk]

Give the Giraud Power Trimmer a look.

Giraud Power Trimmer

Key Benefits

giraudtool.com

+1

I have one and it works great.

 

[Hogpatrol]

WFT dedicated trimmer. Some will work with cartridges in the same family like the BRs. Trims off the neck shoulder junction, not the base.

WFT Big Boy - Case Trimmer Housing & Chambers (Click Here)

WFT Big Boy - Case Trimmer Housing & Chambers (Click Here)

www.littlecrowgunworks.com

 

[shootist~]

+1

I have one and it works great.

Same.

 

[C.W. Richter]

Lyman has a cheap, LONG hand-trimmer that's good to 50 BMG. 'Had to get it for the .338 A-Sq. Works like a charm.