Brass trimmer

[Bill Koepke]

I know this has been beaten to death but I see no one commenting about the Frankford arsenal or the Hornady prep center. I'm in need of a trimmer at the present I'm loading only 223 for my ar. This year I plan on buying a bolt action precision rifle. Probably a waist of money seeing the longest range here on Long island is 200 yards. So I guess my question is are either of them worth the investment or should I be looking another route.

 

[arm017]

Honestly, I think the FA is a FANTASTIC entry trimmer. I have a giraurd trimmer, but not sure I would say it is 6 times better than the FA. The FA is consistent, and gets the job done- honestly I'm not sure why it is not more popular. Like the giraurd, you do have to make sure to keep the sizing the same since it sizes based off of the shoulder. A little pro tip for the FA is to buy a RCBS carbide cutter, which cuts much more cleanly and quicker than the stock hardened steel cutter.

 

[Shynloco]

Bill,
I have no idea what your experiences are in terms of trimmer use in the past. But I can tell you one of the BIGGEST concerns with any trimmer is CONSISTENCY. And I tried a number of them over the years before I settled on first the Redding 1200 (that I use mostly now for .223/5.56 trimming) and also my Wilson Trimmer for all other calibers I reload for. Note both of these trimmers have the mic adjustment and both trim very consistently. I've never used either the Frankfort Arsenal or the Hornady prep center, but feel that unless they have a mic adjustment, the consistency will not be there and that creats all sorts of variable issues when you are chasing accuracy. Just my .02 cents worth.

Alex

 

[Westhunder]

Check out trim it II by black widow industry

 

[Ringostar]

Bill, for your use in just a 223 and 200yd max fun shooting. I would suggest looking at the simple and very inexpensive Lee trimming setup.

 

[Deleted old_dood]

I use the WFT-2 for 6br which also indexes off the shoulder. I do get about .002" variation but don't think that makes any difference in accuracy. I like that it's very fast. downside with the WFT2 is a 1/2" shaft, so if you're using a drill, it has to have a 1/2" chuck. I shoot at the Brookhaven range on LI also so I too am limited to 200 yds. for my 223ai, I almost never have to trim. I bought a 223ai insert for the WFT but almost never use it.

 

[retired]

possum hollow case trimmer.
in expensive operate by hand, power or checked in a drill press
or lathe.
works off the shoulder, comes pre-set but you can adjust

 

[riflewoman]

The exact neck length is NOT critical, provided it doesn’t jam into the end of the chamber. +/- .002 is fine. Almost all of the trimmer systems will do that. Chose the system you like.

 

[MN50Shooter]

I've used the FA for nearly 2 yrs now. I use it for all calibers I load except for my 50 cal. I love it. Once set, it gives me consistent trim lengths. I also like the ability to trim, debur, chamfer all before putting the case down. I also like that it came with a VLD Inside Chamfer tool, and any tool with an 8-32 thread, can be used.

 

[Bill Koepke]

I've used the FA for nearly 2 yrs now. I use it for all calibers I load except for my 50 cal. I love it. Once set, it gives me consistent trim lengths. I also like the ability to trim, debur, chamfer all before putting the case down. I also like that it came with a VLD Inside Chamfer tool, and any tool with an 8-32 thread, can be used.

Thanks

 

[Bill Koepke]

Ttt

 

[jpx2rk]

I've had a FA prep center for about a year now, and I load for 204 & 223. Don't need to trim for 204 much as most 204's are long in the throat/chamber. I like the convenience of the FA set up, but my FA's trim function is extremely slow and squeals like Porky Pig. A new RCBS cutting tool (not carbide) still squeals and cuts very slow. The trim function worked fine for about the 1st 500 or so 223 cases with no squeal or slow trim time.

The primer pocket cleaner/chamfer/deburr functions all work great and speedy. I also use a Hornady crimp reamer on the FA for getting rid of those crimps and works fine as well. I can actually trim/chamfer/deburr 223 brass quicker with a Lee handheld trimmer/deburr tools & 12v HH drill than my FA can trim. Hence I have ordered a Giraurd tri way trimmer and waiting on it to be shipped.

 

[Texas10]

I have a couple of Worlds Finest Trimmers, and several Worlds Cheapest Trimmers. They both do the same thing, and use the cartridge shoulder as the datum instead of the base/head. In as much as the loaded cartridge is positioned in the chamber by the shoulder (with the exception of belted and rimmed cartridges), I see this as a more consistent, as well as very fast (8-10 per minute) way to trim cartridge length.

FWIW: I am loading 223, 22-250, 6mmBR, 6.5 CM, 308 and 338LM and typically shoot 300 to 1000 yds, although not in competition.