Case Trimmers that index of the Shoulder?

[HTSmith]

I'm looking to incorporate length trimming into every reloading cycle. Wanted to see who was using what tool and your opinions on them. Loading PPC, Dasher, and BR. Rather not spend 100's of $. What says you? Thanks for input

 

[MisterHelix]

The Giraud toolhead indexes off the shoulder.
If I recall they run about a hundred bucks per unit, so there is that.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

The old Gracey also works off the shoulder. Has interchangeable screw in bushings. Since all your loadings are 6mm, simple swap of the bushing. Can be set up to do inside and outside chamfer but I adjust only for a minimum outside. I prefer to do the inside chamfer by hand to get a good look at each piece of brass. Easy enough to measure bushing protrusion for quick caliber change.

Frank

 

[Dkk37058]

Little Crow Worlds Finest Trimmer works good for me trimming a lot of cases. It indexes off the shoulder.

 

[R.Morehouse]

I use this one on 6 PPC & Dasher BR brass.

Regards
Rick

 

[Preacher]

Little Crow Worlds Finest Trimmer works good for me trimming a lot of cases. It indexes off the shoulder.

No doubt in my mind that the Little Crow is as good as its gets, got a few of them...

 

[jpx2rk]

Need to decide if you want a 3 n 1 do it all or handle the brass several times, etc.

 

[HTSmith]

Need to decide if you want a 3 n 1 do it all or handle the brass several times, etc.

Tell me more about "3 n 1". New term for me. thanks

 

[jepp2]

3 n 1

Trim, inside and outside chamfer all at once.

 

[rwj]

If the case base to shoulder dimension is controlled to +/-.001” (which isn’t that difficult), what advantage(s) does using the case shoulder, versus the base, as a datum provide?

 

[SSchnd]

If on a budget, Giraud Tri-Way is a great tool, caliber specific though. But trim chamfer and debur in one step as it indexes off your shoulder set back.
The Giraud Bench trimmer is awesome as is a Henderson if money is not a problem.

 

[One Eye Pete]

The Giraud Power Trimmer is probably the best and it trims and chamfers in one step. The downside is is expensive and the cost of the case holders add up. You also have to adjust the cutter for different calibers.
I settled on a Lyman Brass Smith Case Trimmer Express for and a K&M adjustable chamfer tool.
The Lyman trimmer comes with a number of bushings and has other bushings available for just about all calibers and is extremely easy to adjust. Tke K&M chamfer tool gives me a perfect inside chamfer every time as it has a rod that goes through the flash hole to guide it. The added benefit to the guide rod is that it assures me that there is no tumbling media stuck in the flash hole. The combo of the Lyman and K&M takes more time than the Giraud but the results are excellent and for a very reasonable price it will work with almost any case. Its hard to get as much versatility in a trimmer/chamfer combo at this price (approx $150 trimmer, $60 chamfer tool)

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[F Class John]

While not for everyone, if you happen to have an idod/autodod, it has a little known built in trimmer system that indexes off the shoulder as well. If you go that route I'd get an extra block with the inside cutter only just so you don't have to make changes to your neck turning block.

All the above system are also great and do the job, just wanted to throw out this other option since most people with one aren't aware it does trimming as well.

 

[Straightshooter1]

Tell me more about "3 n 1". New term for me. thanks

Some time ago I went with a 3 n 1, mainly to save time where that operation takes care not only to trim, but also chamfers and deburrs. So, I've got the Giraud Tri-way for one caliber and the Trim-it II for the other that I reload for. Bot index off the shoulder. Both use the same type of cutter head, the main difference that I like is that the Trim-it II is much easier to adjust. Both make the trimming operation fast. . . and consistent case lengths as long as the shoulder measurements are also consistent.

 

[K22]

I have used the Wilson Trimmer with the Sinclair upgrades for many years now and have been completely satisfied with this tool. It uses case holders which I prefer instead of collets that tend to ream the inside of the neck.

The Sinclair upgrades namely the case holder fin, carbide cutter, handle, and platform make it the idea trimmer for me. Easy to use and very accurate.

However, I do not trim that much anymore since I began measuring the chamber length with a Sinclair Chamber Length gauge. Even with Sinclair's recommended safety margin, I have reduced my trimming by over 50%.

 

[dusterdave173]

I use the little Crow WFT on 223 --I load a LOT of 223---once you get it set up--it works great--It can be a royal PIA to get it just right--I wish it had a micrometer deal on it somehow. I also need to trim some 6BR--I am interested in this thread as well What about the WFT copy on Amazon? Anybody try it?

 

[Walt Krafft]

If the case base to shoulder dimension is controlled to +/-.001” (which isn’t that difficult), what advantage(s) does using the case shoulder, versus the base, as a datum provide?

Speed. Just push the case into the holder until it stops trimming. I use 2 Gracey's mounted vertically on the front of my bench. One is set for 223, one usually 6XC,/6BR.

 

[WayneShaw]

You can make one if you have the chamber reamer. Take a barrel drop, run the reamer in to the shoulder/body. Come in from the other end and drill/bore a hole to take a 5/16 (depending on neck size) stubby endmill. A set screw in from the side to lock the end mill where you want it. You'll still have to deburr the case, but if you do this regularly, very little deburring is needed.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

The motorised Hornady does too - and has .001 clicks. I do have one somewhere, but have not tried it out yet.

 

[sneakboxer]

The Giraud power trimmer works great for me. I use mine for 223 and 30-06. I don't even measure after firing. Just cram them in the trimmer and I know they will be ready (I still check a few but you get the idea). I wish I would of bought one years earlier.