Case Prep Centers -- Best Types, Values?

[Wolfdog91]

Just another poor people question lol. Whats the average going rate for a used case prep center ? What's one of the better ones to look out for used?

 

[boltfluter]

With all due respect, if funds are that tight I would make due without one.
Paul

 

[JMayo]

I got a used rcbs for 100. I had the heads on handles. If i didn't I'd have to buy them individually.

I hate the noise of it running while i do my brass sizing. But if i don't then I'm handling the cases several times, which is what i wanted to solve by getting one.

Sticking the cases on it at arms length is a pita. A pocket uniformer will grab and case mouth will cut you. My older Rcbs is a mess that isn't contained in a area. And it takes up room if stored on bench. The lyman is even bigger but contains the mess.

All that being said.... It is better than all the wrist action when doing 100"s.

When i prep new cases at the beginning i trim length with a Wilson and a drill, chamfer in and out case mouths, uniform pockets .... Do that to 200+ with hand tools and then go soak hands & apply Band-Aids.....
Do it with a center .... Same but with noise and not as tired.

(Use tape on fingers in the areas that need protecting)

 

[pipe]

Case prep is a bummer,no question. My most 'fun' in reloading is finding an old hunting rifle that has been set aside in the past- generally very beat up etc., hopefully half decent barrel. Brass on these is sometimes very challenging,but when you do them by hand 1 by 1 you do not have to worry about that when you are hitting the red line with cranky rifles, loads, powders & bullets. When you put that 5th one in that majick 1" i would not trade that old rifle for 3 new ones. Old school, thanks for listening.

 

[joshb]

I like to do them by hand, except trimming to length. I bought a couple Worlds Finest Trimmers to handle the high volume stuff. I still use my Forster for the low volume stuff.

 

[nickster]

I recently borrowed my buddys RCBS case prep machine. I thought it was noisy and didn't care for the mess. I did like it enough that I went out a bought a new one. But, I chose the Lyman. It does contain the mess and comes with a lot of different heads. It's also much quieter than the RCBS although that might be because it's new. I now realize how much case prep I was not doing. I wish I would have bought one years ago.

I use the Forster to trim when needed.

 

[nakneker]

Bought a Lyman a couple years ago. Before that I did it all by hand. The Lyman gets used a lot and I wish I would have bought it years ago, it isn’t too loud and I’ve been happy with it!

 

[bozo699]

I have a rcbs and it’s done thousands of cases it is noisy but I don’t care, I saw one on this site today but it sold. When my rcbs goes out well I always buy at least two of everything so I have a new one in the box but thinking about buying a Lyman I have also heard good things about the Frankfurt Arsenal
Wayne

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I have been skinning the cat another way by using a Sinclair case holder on my Dewalt gyro screwdriver and pushing the rifle case into my hand tools mounted in a wood block. I also drilled a hole in the block to stuff fine steel wool in to spin the case neck in to smooth things up. I can also put my primer pocket uniformers in the driver to clean the pockets. But of course if I was starting fresh the prep centers look great.

 

[bozo699]

I have been skinning the cat another way by using a Sinclair case holder on my Dewalt gyro screwdriver and pushing the rifle case into my hand tools mounted in a wood block. I also drilled a hole in the block to stuff fine steel wool in to spin the case neck in to smooth things up. I can also put my primer pocket uniformers in the driver to clean the pockets. But of course if I was starting fresh the prep centers look great.

I use a cordless screwdriver and 0000 steel wool to clean all my cases and for neck turning works great!
Wayne

 

[acloco]

Can purchase a "Possum Hollow" trimmer/chamfer and use in a cordless drill.

But, still need to debur the primer/flash hole on the inside.

Have been using my RCBS for 14 years, purchased use.

Upgrade to the VLD style of inside neck chamfer and recently upgraded to the carbide outside neck chamfer. Both of these improved time by quite a bit. Just a touch and go!

 

[Spoonbill]

I have had the Lyman for years. Works great for chamfering and deburring mass quantities of 223 brass for my ar. Thats all I use it for. Everything else is smaller quantities and Im fine using the little hand held tool. It also works great for when I dont have a primer crimp removed good enough

 

[SeabeeKen]

Love my Lyman. I installed the Lee case gauge trimmer on it and can really trim and deburr fast. It isnt noisy either

 

[Jarhead6870]

Another Lyman user here. If I have new brass, I'll chamfer and deburr so I don't have to change the depth on the case holders for the Giraud trimmer but most often it's used to brush inside necks and brush/clean primer pockets. . As mentioned, a tool that's used more than one would think.

 

[hoosiermike]

I have been using a RCBS Perp Center for 31 years-Replaced the primer pocket informers several years ago. RCBS sent them free of charge . As to the noise I opened it up and cleaned the gears then greased them up with white lithium grease-made a noticeable difference in noise along with my hearing getting worse.