Case Trimmers: Please can you help?

[Gary O'Neal]

Wilson is the best I’ve ever used.

 

[Rsadams]

Worlds cheapest trimmer http://www.newhighpower.com/brass-trimmers.html indexes off the shoulder like many others, just WAY cheaper.

Looks super simple that's for sure...

 

[ebb]

Ive got a Wilson and only used it once, I couldn't get the length consistent. The whole website can laugh and I may truly be better than the funny papers, but the Lee trimmers are the most consistent for me.

 

[#40Fan]

I agree that Lee trimmers are awesome. I have one for every caliber I own.

 

[michaeljp65]

Ive got a Wilson and only used it once, I couldn't get the length consistent. The whole website can laugh and I may truly be better than the funny papers, but the Lee trimmers are the most consistent for me.

i found the key to consistent trim with the Wilson is very light pressure on the handle, dont push and turn the handle. Also, when you put the case into the holder, give it a light tap on the table to seat it firmly.

 

[Flouncer]

I was almost afraid to ask but . . yeah, the Lee trimmer is all Lee. Simple, inexpensive, not over thought over engineered or over priced. Not likely too attract many as it is too good to be true.

 

[ireload2]

The Lee trimmer is not adjustable and it is one caliber specific. By the time you buy 20 of them they are no longer cheap and all you have a a bunch of loose parts.
Wilson trimmers require a caliber specific case holder and the case holders are not available for all cartridges.
The Forster trimmer with a set of collets and pilots will trim almost everything.

 

[LHSmith]

The Lee trimmer is not adjustable and it is one caliber specific. By the time you buy 20 of them they are no longer cheap and all you have a a bunch of loose parts.
Wilson trimmers require a caliber specific case holder and the case holders are not available for all cartridges.
The Forster trimmer with a set of collets and pilots will trim almost everything.

Forster is same design as RCBS, Redding, Lyman, Hornady - and all spin a pilot inside the case neck- not good considering all the extreme care accuracy minded reloaders take in preserving the neck's ID carbon layer and controlling the dimensions including concentricity of the case and neck. As far as cost, You haven't checked the price on Forster pilots lately.

 

[Campbell]

If you maintain a 0.001" to 0.002" shoulder bump, and diligent about keeping the case OAL with-in 0.002" ( https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=jack+neary+benchrest+) you will never measure the difference in neck tension in the resulting range of actual neck lengths.

Many sincere thanks for the above.

I always full-length resize using a Redding Competition Bushing die .336 So, I assume ?? that the base to shoulder is consistent.

What my gut feeling is, is that the length of the neck, given the above-mentioned consideration, will determine the release effort on the bullet??

I shoot F/TR at a club where there are 6 team GB members, so, OCD can help with gaining results. You American cousins seem to be always able to kick our ass with scores!!!

Thanks and regards

Cam





l

 

[centershot]

Forster is same design as RCBS, Redding, Lyman, Hornady - and all spin a pilot inside the case neck- not good considering all the extreme care accuracy minded reloaders take in preserving the neck's ID carbon layer and controlling the dimensions including concentricity of the case and neck. As far as cost, You haven't checked the price on Forster pilots lately.

Or the cost of the 3 in 1 add on head.

 

[Shrek]

Wilson for me. Any trimmer that holds the case by the rim will always vary the length by the variation of the rim thickness. I had a Hornady trimmer and it was an unmitigated POS ! I only trim cases that I’ve set back so that I have a consistent base to neck length. Trim the sized cases in my Wilson trimmer with light pressure and I get very consistent neck length.

 

[waltk]

Giraud. Table top unit. Buy once cry once and don't look back.

 

[CoyoteTan]

I have both wilson and Forster

I use Wilson for my precision, long range hunting and match loads. I use forest with the 3 in 1 cutter for my ground squirrel 223 loads, it takes care of all 3 steps in one operation and save me a lot time when I have several thousand rounds to work with. It is not as precise as the Wilson but a couple thousandths off is not going to bother the ground squirrel I missed at 200 yards, there are probably 10 others waiting to be shot

 

[ireload2]

Anyone using reasonable care will NEVER hurt a case with a Forster trimmer based on my 43 years using one on about 40 different cartridges from .22 Hornet to .45-70.
I don' need to check the price of Forster pilots. I have 2 or 3 of most sizes that I got with trimmers that came with brass and loading tools buyout I have done. I have 5 Forster trimmers and 4 were gotten for almost free with brass and other loading tools. Once you have a set you never have to buy another. BTW so far as I know the most Forster trimmers owned by one guy that I have talked to is 14.
I also own 3 original Wilsons and a Wilson .50 BMG trimmer. They work ok but they are not in the same league as a Forster. Not only can I trim anything but I can leave the extra trimmers set up for neck turning.

Forster is same design as RCBS, Redding, Lyman, Hornady - and all spin a pilot inside the case neck- not good considering all the extreme care accuracy minded reloaders take in preserving the neck's ID carbon layer and controlling the dimensions including concentricity of the case and neck. As far as cost, You haven't checked the price on Forster pilots lately.

 

[LHSmith]

Anyone using reasonable care will NEVER hurt a case with a Forster trimmer based on my 43 years using one on about 40 different cartridges from .22 Hornet to .45-70.
I don' need to check the price of Forster pilots. I have 2 or 3 of most sizes that I got with trimmers that came with brass and loading tools buyout I have done. I have 5 Forster trimmers and 4 were gotten for almost free with brass and other loading tools. Once you have a set you never have to buy another. BTW so far as I know the most Forster trimmers owned by one guy that I have talked to is 14.
I also own 3 original Wilsons and a Wilson .50 BMG trimmer. They work ok but they are not in the same league as a Forster. Not only can I trim anything but I can leave the extra trimmers set up for neck turning.

Just my opinion- but I do not deem Forster as Benchrest worthy

 

[20PPC]

I'm currently using a Frankford Arsenal trimmer station. After using a Wilson for 10 years I'm glad I switched and would never go back.
I used to absolutely dread trimming cases even to the point of puting it off longer than I should have.
The F/A is a pure joy to use and not only quick but accurate holding every case within .005. It bases off of the shoulder so once its set there is zero issues repeating.
Also it has additional stations to inside and outside chamfer and clean primer pockets.
I think it was $ 154.00 off Amazon plus I added a carbide cutter for another $ 30.00.
It's definitely worth looking at if your in the market for a trimmer.

 

[BoydAllen]

I have used the Wilson for years. More recently I have gotten and like the PMA Tool trimmer. It is a fine piece of work by any standard. Recently I used and one of their power driver adapters to prep 100 cases. Once I had a case in the driver, which was chucked in a cordless drill trimming, chamfering and deburring/polishing (I combine these operations by using a wad of 0000 steel wool.) went very fast. One thing that has not been mentioned is that turning the case pretty much guarantees case mouth squareness, not that I have seen any problems come from turning the cutter on my Wilson.

 

[1shot]

Giraud. Table top unit. Buy once cry once and don't look back.

I've used a Wilson for years and still use it for odds and ends work. With that said, my Giraud is every bit as accurate as the Wilson and so much faster it isn't a fair comparison. Trim, chamber and de-burr at a rate of under 5 sec. a case is tough to beat.
I hope this helps,

Lloyd

 

[hikfromstik]

Be sure to check out the Franklin arsenal Platinum trimmer .It's as accurate as the die that forms the shoulders ( measures off the shoulders ). All my 6.5 Grendel brass is 1.510" - 1.511" after trimmed. I bought a carbide cutter ,because Franklin arsenal put a steel cutter in the kit that's a little slower than I liked . I also have a Wilson too , but it's collecting dust since I've got the Franklin arsenal.

 

[ireload2]

I doubt that you have used Forster trimmer enough to know anything about one and you probably never get outside of your bench rest bubble either. You just have a carbon film obsession. Yet you do use neck bushings on 50 millionths increments.

I don't think a single one of the silly trimmers that locate on the case shoulder can really maintain the case mouth on axis with the centerline of the case body. I have not seen you knock them.
Surely you do not consider them bench rest quality.

Just my opinion- but I do not deem Forster as Benchrest worthy