Case prep

[bobcat93]

What are you guys using ? I had an rcbs case prep center and an rcbs power case trimmer
I found both expensive and inaccurate, crude and sloppy.
What would be the upgrade?
Just about all of my reloading equipment was stolen so im starting from scratch..
I lost more stuff then i can mentally comprehend.
I dont even know where to start again..
May be with a lee anniversary kit haha

 

[ELR LVR]

I like the Forster stuff, neck turner, inside reamer, case trimmer etc
its a mini lathe you can hand turn or use a hand drill with
it is accurate and well made, everything fits well etc
Check ebay for these, they are cheap there and worth every penny vs a multi hundred dollar unit
------------

 

[R.Morehouse]

kmshooting.comPrecision Reloading Tools | K+M Precision Shooting Products

I don't know what your budget is, or if you do a high volume of cases at a time. With that being said, this place offers very high-quality precision reloading tools.

Sorry to hear you got ripped off....Best of luck.

Regards
Rick

 

[209jones]

I have a Forster trimmer and am using their 3ways on it, and a 21st Century unit that does 3 way trimming and neck turning. Forster 3 way heads are a bit more than an RCBS 3way, Giraud makes drill mtd style 3ways, Hornady has a different one out that is somewhat restricted for calibres, then Henderson--nice, but expensive. 21st Century is expensive too, bought mine over about an 8 yr period. Still need something to do primer pockets, Frankford case prep ctr w/o trimmer get put on sale cheap once or twice a year, or just use pocket uniformer and a brush, in a drill or elec screwdriver. For me it's do pockets, trim, done, best reloading investments I've made.

 

[DHD]

K&M primer pocket tools (uniformers, and flash hole), Forster trimmers (pretty much one per specific case as I bought them used), and VLD chamfer tools I bought from Midway. I have 3-4 older standard chamfer tools with holders I used for years but prefer the VLD style.

While I shoot a lot, it is not high volume so I never bought any specific power trimmer stuff. I put my Milwaukee Holeshooter in my vice for a lot of the work, redneck style.

 

[Killick]

If you have a drill press get the Little Crow case trimmer. They are caliber specific, One 'body' different inserts. It's called the "World's Finest Trimmer. I love mine

Worlds Finest Trimmer - Rifle Brass Case Trimmers & Brass Prep Tools

***Attention*** : As a Custom Rifle Builder, we own hundreds of reamers. If you can't find the case trimmer you need, give us a call. If we own the reamer, we can make you a case trimmer for it. Not sure which Trimmer is right for you? Watch this video for an in depth explanation of each Trimmer...

www.littlecrowgunworks.com

Deburr/chamfer and holder

L.E. Wilson Chamfer Deburring Tool 17 to 45 Cal

The L.E. Wilson Chamfer and Deburring tool is perfect for smoothing the inside and outside of the case mouth for easier bullet seating. Universal design...

www.midwayusa.com

L.E. Wilson Chamfer Deburring Tool Power Adapter

This L.E. Wilson Chamfer and Deburring Tool Power Adapter allows the L. E. Wilson Deburring Tools to be used with a power drill or electric screwdriver...

www.midwayusa.com

K&M primer pocket correction tool.

Premium Carbide Primer Pocket Correction Tool | Reloading

Premium Carbide Primer Pocket Correction Tools for reloading allow you to consistently square the primer pocket bottom and clean out carbon deposits.

kmshooting.com

Lyman calipers

Lyman Dial Caliper

The Lyman 6" Stainless Steel Dial Caliper is perfect for reloaders looking to make precise measurements for precision reloading. Notes: Includes...

www.midwayusa.com

This is just a start. I would need to know your discipline to advise other tools such as annealer, case tumbler, case neck turners etc.

 

[Killick]

If your need a new press I would go with an RCBS Rockchucker. I saw a comparison with all the spendy presses and the 'Chucker' was just as good, and by good I mean near perfect concentricity...no run out and its less expensive then the spendy ones.
About 20:00 mins in.

 

[std7mag]

I'm still, after how many years (15?) using the Lee Case Length Gauges and a cordless drill.

 

[searcher]

I have owned trimmer(s) from most of the major companies. Here is what I'd do again:

Budget version: Lyman collet trimmer (upgradable to power screwdriver) Collet holds the cartridges better
than my Hornady or RCBS. Less fidgeting - more production. This served me will in all calibers for many years.

Best hand-crank (upgradable to power screwdriver) LE Wilson. Not going to get a more-square mouth and repeatable length than this one. Equal, maybe. Not better. My target rifle trimmer.

Best motorized w/3-way trimming: Henderson Trimmer. Nice, well-build rig that cuts nicely. If I had cons about the machine, I'd have put a micrometer cutting depth stop on it (which I added to mine). Also, the collet works well, but one must exercise a bit of care in getting the cases flush and flat against the collet as compared to some collets. I'd buy it again, though.

The new Hornady "knock-off" version of this Henderson might be worth looking at. I've not used it, but priced a bit less than the Henderson and I haven't heard any bad reviews. I'd compare the prices on the separate cutter heads assemblies for changing calibers without re-adjusting everything before deciding.

That is a bummer about losing your stuff to theft.

 

[ronsatspokane]

LE Wilson is about as accurate as you can get for trimming. Inner and outer chamfer tools? I've found that they all work. I use the Lyman prep center because I have it and it does the job.

 

[ronemus]

Some form of 3-way trimmer (length, inside & outside chamfer) is the way to go. There are many options depending on budget and available equipment (lathe, drill press, etc.). Entry level is hand cranked models (Forster, Wilson, etc), some of which can be upgraded with a power drive. Next step is the World's Finest Trimmer and its brethren (drill or drill press required). Bigger budget buys a Giraud, and the Cadillac is the Henderson. Decide how much you can spend vs. how much labor you are willing to do. For primer pockets a Sinclair carbide uniformer is the best, especially used in a drill - cleans very well, squares the corner, and maintains uniform depth, never dulls.

 

[JFrank]

What are you guys using ? I had an rcbs case prep center and an rcbs power case trimmer
I found both expensive and inaccurate, crude and sloppy.
What would be the upgrade?
Just about all of my reloading equipment was stolen so im starting from scratch..
I lost more stuff then i can mentally comprehend.
I dont even know where to start again..
May be with a lee anniversary kit haha

I have an extra Wilson trimmer you can have for the cost of shipping $10.00 ish on your end.
Send me a PM if interested.

Jim

 

[TxBowHunter409]

Well I guess I'll throw my two cents in...

* Redding universal decapping die
* Burstfire flame annealer
* Frankford Arsenal rotary & vibrate tumblers
* Vivohome 8 tray dehydrator/dryer
* Forster Co-Ax Press
* Forster bushing full length sizing dies
* Ugly SRT trimmers (1 per caliber)
* Frankford Arsenal Prep Center used for chamfer & debur only.
* K&M Precision primer pocket tools
* Larry Willis Belted Magnum Collet Sizing Die (300 Win Mag & belted magnums only)
* L.E. Wilson Expanding Mandrel Sizing Die (w/ caliber specific mandrels)
* Short Action Customs comparator set
* Mitutoyo calipers
* Accuracy One shoulder referenced bullet seating gauge

That's about it on the case prep.

 

[BHP9]

Using TxBowHunter409's format.

Tumble brass
AGS annealer
RCBS dies - .223 and .308 SB dies, 6.5 Creedmoor standard
Digital calipers to check case length - trim as necessary
Chamfer and deburr - Wilson bullet
Derraco Engineering Comparator Set
Then reloading.

I did try a Lee collet die for the 6.5Cr, and after the 7 resize it pulled the neck off and had to take the die apart to retrieve the neck. Needless to say I returned the die. Also I found that the mandrel was too big.

​

 

[bobcat93]

Awesome feed back folks thank you.
Im starting to get old so i prefer items with motors.
ive always gotten much better results by hand tools ..ive used my hands for a living most of my life so i kind of have calibrated finger tips haha..im sure many of you have the same skills in your fingers and know what i mean.
This time around im narrowing my path in reloading.
I had lots of reloading equipment sitting around i just didnt need any more.
From guns sold off years and years ago, for calibers i have zero real world use for now
Like equipment for 300 rem ultra mag, 450 marlin, 480 ruger. Stuff from the magnum days of my youth.
The most powerful cartridge i regularly shoot now is probably 30-30 win, 6.5 creed..
But the majority of my reloading will be the (fireball family of car, and the 6 br is my #1 concern )
My head is still all over the place and its hard to think about. But im watching my ammo supply shrink and i refuse to shoot ammo i didnt load. Unless its rimfire.

 

[ogre1911]

I despise a thief. Any thief.

I have some surplus stuff here I'd ship you gratis.
Frankfort Arsenal Intellidropper, extra chamfers, etc.

What items could you use?

 

[madmixerman]

I use a Wilson trimmer powered with a DACaM power pod and a Lyman case prep center.

 

[servant403]

I use a RCBS power trimmer for my magnum pistol stuff. I have been pretty satisfied with the results. Just takes some doing to set up right. But I dont think they are worth what they want for them today. I use a Wilson for my rifle stuff. Dont know if anything could trim more accurately. I chamfer and deburr with a Wilson tool that fits in a electric screw driver. Its pretty quick. I use Kand M primer correction bits in the same electric screwdriver for primer pocket cleaning and correction,
You can buy a screw gun adapter for the Wilson. But the speed is not lost using the crank on a Wilson. The speed is lost using the case holders.
The RCBS trimmer I have is the older one that uses the variety of shell plates to hold the case. Case rim thickness will give you variables on a lot of trimmers.

 

[big5ifty]

I surprised myself that my preferred case trimmer is not an actual case trimmer. I bought an RCBS case prep station, and noticed that there was a cutter for it that accepts the Lee case length gauges.

As long as you can get a Lee case length gauge for your caliber it's a massive convenience having powered case trim and neck chamfering.

I use a spare drill chuck as a handle for holding the lock stud.

Second place to that is the Lee power Quick Trim system, also limited by Lee having a trim die in your caliber. Works like a dream when it's new, trimming and chamfering at once, then the cutting blades go dull and need replacing.

As for the trimming lathe types, I've got Forster, Redding, Hornady and Lyman, and all do the same job with nothing eye-wateringly different between them.

 

[D-4297]

My thoughts on "reasonably" priced stuff is :
Annealez Annealer ; Lesser cost than many others , and very useable and consistent .
R.C.B.S. Trim-Pro II , with 3-way Cutter Head . Holds to + or - .001
Redding Type "S" , F/L Die
Hornady , Cam-LOK Bullet Puller
I use a LEE Neck sizing Collet Die to punch primers because I had it , and it does a good job of punching out the old primers , even after polishing the stem down for doing Lapua Palma Cases . Six years and have broken the "Stem" yet . And they're pretty cheap , with replaceable Stems .
Sinclair "Expander" DIE ...Many companies make expanders that fit this Die .
Many items can be gotten cheap , and they don't have to be the "Flavor of the Month" to work well .