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Best case trimmer

codybrown

Silver $$ Contributor
So I'm getting back into reloading and am looking at case trimmer options. Before I was using the Lee pilot/trimmer system, and while it worked, it was tedious. I'm looking into the newer Lee trimmer with the die and either the hand crank trimmer or the drill mounted option. Pro's vs. cons? For the price it looks like it's a fairly decent option and should be pretty efficient if I use the drill option.

Any other suggestions?
 
I've used the Lee they were great and quick but you were limited to one OAL, work great with a power screwdriver too. Also tried RCBS collet type, I could never get that thing to cut the same OAL twice (user error I'm sure). Switched to the lyman universal, loved how easy It was to insert and remove a case, but I hated trying to set it for an OAL especially if you load for more than one caliber. Finally ponied up the cash for a wilson with micrometer, couldn't have made a better purchase to preserve some on my sanity. All the money I spent on trimmers I could have had 2.5 Wilson's by now
- B
 
I’m a Giraud kool-aid drinker. I couldn’t imagine owning anything else. Fast, repeatable and trims-chamfers-debuts all at once. I regularly knock out 500 pieces of brass in about 30-40 mins. Worth every penny to me. But I totally understand it isn’t for everyone and that’s cool.

I’m talking about the full size unit in my case. Not the drill units.
 
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I buy used Wilsons on Ebay and set a separate one up for each cartridge. Adjust it once and the consistency is spot on forever. Get the power adapter and use a $30 rechargeable screwdriver or drill and you can do a couple of cases a minute when you are in the groove complete with a quick hand chamfer and deburr. I would not want to do 500 cases on one however. 50 to 75 is my limit
 
Ill ne selling my wilson set up and all the holders when I can get to it again. I agree with everyone it is precise and works well. But Im going giraud to speed things up and do 3 things at once. It cost more, but a pilot and cutter head for each caliber and its will be just as repeatable and much much faster.
 
Another vote for Wilson. Years ago, I switched from a RCBS to a Wilson and could not be happier. The Wilson gives me the accuracy and repeatability I was searching for. It can also be used to make a precise inside chamfer on my cases. There are a number of other uses for the trimmer, like case head squaring (tried doing it but never used that feature) and it could be easily adapted for meplat trimming. Years ago they made an outside neck turning option. The only possible problem with the Wilson is that it is slow. As a old retired guy, that does not bother me. After buying the Wilson, I stopped looking for a better mouse trap.
 
I've got a Giraud for 223, mounted the trimmer to a HF buffer motor, works great, a bit pricey but for volume calibers like 223, it's worth it to me. I have a WTF for 204 & 22/250.

The Lee hand system works fine, but will work on your hands for those volume calibers like 223, even using a drill option with it.
 
ngb1787 said:
Wilson is good but u will end up with a giraud eventually,
Click to expand...

not me, in fact I am lurking on Ebay looking for a 4th Wilson at the right price in anticipation of building a 6BR later this year. Thirty seconds to trim and chamfer a case is not really a burdensome thing for me. Now before I got the 15 dollar power adapter the hand crank was killing my wrists and I contemplated the Giraud and WFT trimmers

Looking at the Giraud page I do not see an model for 6CM or 6BR even if I wanted to change over. Do they make models other than the ones on this page ?

http://giraudtool.com/giraud-tri-way-trimmer.html
 
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