Case trimmer

[BrandonK]

Hey guys, wondering what the consensus(or if there's one) on the best case trimmer? I had a Redding but appear to have lost it in my latest move. Need a new one and looking for advice on which way to go. Looking for accuracy over speed. Im kinda OCD about brass prep. Thanks .

 

[JRS]

I like the PMA Micro-Adjust.

 

[WindSurgeon]

Wilson

 

[jonbearman]

I will 2nd the Wilson as it appears to be the most accurate I know of today. It takes case holders for each caliber. Some are interchangeable so they do like 3 case sizes in one. You can get a drill adaptor to use a hand drill to power it which I suggest and the stand so you can mount it on a piece of wood to clamp it in a bench vise.

 

[Mikemci]

L.E. Wilson, as recommended above. The only thing I would add, is the micrometer adjustment.

 

[PDS]

Just how critical to accuracy is cartridge case trim length?

 

[Shynloco]

L.E. Wilson, as recommended above. The only thing I would add, is the micrometer adjustment.

Best I've found for the money and do get the one with the micro-adjustment. I also have the Redding 2400 where I have had great results but use it strictly for my AR casings. The Wilson is simply more consistent. There are better ones that are more versatile and easier to use, but then they cost a bunch more, twice as much (and more) in some cases.

Alex

 

[RonAKA]

I use a Lee because it is so easy to set up (there is none), and it is fast, and exactly repeatable. What you give up is adjustability.

 

[R.Morehouse]

WFT-2

 

[SheepDog]

My old Lyman trimmer has a universal case holder that holds the base of the case against a solid fixed support. It is adjusted to the shortest case I load and then I use bushings to fit other cases. It is set up for the length of my chambers and not to "trim length". Since it is part of the routine to run each case through the trimmer I don't bother to measure cases. The cases are all, always, at the same length. With only 12 bushings that easily slip on the trimmer shaft I can handle all the cases that I reload. No more micrometer adjustments for me.

 

[Rsadams]

I hate my lyman.. You trim a peice of brass and the mouth of the case is uneven,higher on one side.. I have never been able to get it to cut straight.

 

[JohnKielly]

I go for the Wilson because it is the platform for more options - trimming, chamfering, meplatting - it goes on & on.

 

[SheepDog]

Is it the old Lyman universal trimmer?
If it is and you want to get rid of it I know a new reloader who can use it. I'll pay postage, see if I can fix it and give it to the new loader.

 

[Tesoro]

I use the wilson w/micro and its a piece of art. But it only does each function separately which is fine for ultra precision. I read about the forster one that has a 3:1 cutter head (trim/chamfer/deburr) and I thought this would be the ticket for my non plinking AR 223 rounds so I bought one the other day. Its definitely not built to wilson quality thats for sure. But it does 'work' and trims non match cases to within a tho or half a tho like the wilson and does an nice consistent bevel job inside and out when viewed with my 20x jewelers loupe. I dont care for the collett shell holder set up that much. Its not that easy to set it in straight and get a consistent grab without some runout ( prob due to not so precise case head rims on autoloader shot brass or just non match brass). I found that sliding the case onto the cutter pilot and then pushing it into the collett helped center it for a concentric grab. The collet handle is not very ergonomic and the threading is a bit rough so dosent turn smoothly. Also the trimmer handle is a bit short on the leg so not as nice to turn as the wilson. There is a power attachment for it but was out of stock when I bought. I have only tried 223 cases on it and the space is a bit tight for fast removal. I bought the 'original' version and then there is the 'classic' not sure what the diff is or why they are named that way - confusing.

If you are new at the game make sure you neck size and then expand the neck to fit the pilot first or you will get uneven cuts. If you want perfect outside neck bevel cuts then turn the necks beforehand.

So the bottom line in my view is that the forster lathe part is just ordinary and could use improvement but their 3:1 cutter head with carbide blades is very cool. Of course I immediately looked at fitting the 3:1 cutter head onto the wilson but wont work as is. The wilson shaft is .50 and the cutter head takes a .49 shaft. The head is also too long. I bought an extra cutter head by error so I might look at slicing it down and threading it to a new .50 shaft to fit the wilson. This might work for shorter cartridges like the 223 and 6.5 creedmoor. If so then would have the best of both worlds for efficiency.
Yeah I guess I am a bit 'AR' and I dont mean armalite rifle!

 

[vonb]

Wilson for accuracy. Giraud for speed. Nothing has provided more satisfaction and reduction of a cumbersome task at the loading bench than my Giraud.

 

[Canadian bushman]

WFT-2

This is what i use. I can run a carbide Endmill in it so fast that burrs are minimal, and it cuts so easy that its very easy to trim fired cases to the shoulder true and square.

 

[ireload2]

I have 3 Wilsons and 5 Forsters and a few of the Lee mandrel trimmers.
The Wilsons dull easily when used with drill motor power and holding down the case holder makes using them tedious. They work ok for small lots but are tiring for large lots.
Forsters are more convenient and are less tiring. I find the set screw fine adjustment of the Forsters easier to use than setting a Wilson trimmer. The Forster is also more versatile since you can hold all cases for the most part with just 3 collets. You have to spend a lot of money if you want case holders for several dozen holders for the Wilson.

 

[Alexander-M]

Brandon,

Do a search for "trimmer", and you will see at least five pages of threads. Every trimmer model has been evaluated, questioned, compared, and every application has been discussed.

Good luck!
Nando

 

[Rsadams]

Is it the old Lyman universal trimmer?
If it is and you want to get rid of it I know a new reloader who can use it. I'll pay postage, see if I can fix it and give it to the new loader.

Sorry it's a new one...lol

 

[SheepDog]

My experience has been that you lose some accuracy any time a collet is used. Just a spec of dust on the taper of the bore or the collet can change the trim length.