Case Trimmers that index of the Shoulder?

[Webster]

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

I like the hand cranked Wilson. Never did large numbers of cases.

 

[capitol]

Is that an advantage?

It depends who you ask.

Oh and to answer the OP’s question the Giraud is the fastest and most consistent case trimmer made that indexes of the “shoulder”

 

[HTSmith]

Circling back here. I got an UGLY trimmer. Mr. Schoeder was very helpful. Very happy with it. I'm pretty sure once I incorporate trimming into every cycle I could just give it a twist by hand. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[Outwest]

My L.E. Wilson works very well.

 

[1ofU]

this is what i use, here .

Frankford Arsenal Universal Precision Drill Case Trimmer​

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020652434?pid=816840

 

[209jones]

I decap before sizing and do the pocket clean on a cheap FA prep ctr w/o trimmer, then sizing, then trim with a 3 way head and I'm done The 3 way head is a one and done movement vs a std head and a prep ctr needing 2 more movements. Neither way is bad, but sure beats using hand tools.

 

[Oklahoma Jim]

I use the UGLY Shoulder Referenced Trimmer. Just change out the insert and you can do other calibers.

View attachment 1495584

I just bought one of these too. So far, I like it better than my WFT.

 

[Mark611]

Another vote for the LE Wilson, I have been using this trimmer for over a decade, I decided to use a power adaptor recently on this unit, hand cranking gets old quick! I also recently purchased an UGLY trimmer, it uses the shoulder to index, I don't care for this type of trimming, yes it works, but it not as accurate as my Wilson, my Wilson will trim every case to the same length every time! The Ugly unit IMO if you're not looking for extreme precision? It's ok for bulk cases for my AR brass, I say this because you can get about 5k +- variation in neck length using a shoulder-based trimmer like the Ugly, using Range Brass, IMO if you want to trim brass with a power trimmer buy, the best you can buy and get a 3-1 trimmer, otherwise you will have to chamfer and deburr the case mouths in separate step, I do this with my LYMAN case prep station, I don't build blasting ammo presa, I try build accurate quality ammo, this just my experience using these types of tools YMMV.

 

[fatelvis]

Is that an advantage?

It’s not really an advantage, but shoulder -to- mouth is the measurement that really counts. After all, using overall length of the cartridge to trim isn’t much good if your shoulder isn’t in the correct location.

 

[Mark611]

My point was, let's say you have several different AR's, for example, not all of the chambers are going to be the same, even running them thru the same sizing die they may not give the same results when sized, If I'm going to use a single rifle? and only load for that rifle and use only 1 sizing die with the same brass that gives me the same results every time? then the trimmer should work correctly, The Wilson trimmers use a case holder, that fits a fired or unfired case, 2 separate case holders, it bases the case off the OAL of the case, so if all things are as the they should be? using fully fired formed cases for that rifle and your die gives the exact same results every time? then you should get the same results every time, which is what I get from my Wilson trimmer, if using the same brass from 1 single rifle, for example, I have custom built target rifle, I only shoot LAPUA brass from it! the same brass of say 500, Those case come out exactly the same from start to finish! that's how exact this trimmer will work! if you not building MATCH AMMO? by all means use what you want!

 

[hpshooter]

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

Have used a Gracey for .223 and .308 service rifle cases for many years. Works well can be a little challenging to learn how to set the cutter when changing to another cartridge.

 

[nettle]

It’s not really an advantage, but shoulder -to- mouth is the measurement that really counts. After all, using overall length of the cartridge to trim isn’t much good if your shoulder isn’t in the correct location.

The overall trim length isn't going to correct the shoulder if the shoulder is not in the right location.

 

[Ned Ludd]

For those wondering how a trimmer such as the Giraud that indexes off the shoulder might work on brass fired in different rifles, it is actually quite easy to adjust the cutting depth/case length empirically when necessary by placing (or removing) whatever size shims might be required underneath the cutter head before tightening it down. This approach works very well to make slight adjustments in case trim length. Just make sure to start out cutting/trimming cases slightly to the long side; i.e. by using thicker shims underneath the cutter head to start out, then removing shims as needed until the correct case length is achieved. I purchased a few each of the 3/4" diameter shims at .001", .002", .005", and .010" thickness, although I rarely ever use anything but the .001" and .002" thickness shims. If the correct thickness of shims is recorded for each brass prep, setting the trimmer up correctly only takes a few seconds. This approach may also work with some other trimmers, IF they have a removable cutter head or something similar under which the shims can be placed to regulate the cutting depth.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[memilanuk]

I've used the Skip Otto die shims from Sinclair's with my Giraud for years. I cut a 3x5 index card in half, write down the setting for a particular barrel, and stick it in the baggie with the cutter head so I have it handy the next time I need it.

That said... somewhere recently I was reading through a thread somewhere and someone mentioned using Whidden's click-adjustable die ring with their Giraud trimmer. Seems like a pretty slick idea, so I picked up a couple since I have multiple barrels in both .308 and .223 - everything else I basically have *one* of at a time, so I don't really have any issue keeping track of what the right setting is.

Granted, not as cheap as the die rings, or the shim stock... but if I was going for the cheapest possible way to trim stuff I'd be using a trim die and a file, or a Lee zip-trim

 

[Owens85]

I've used a Frankford arsenal case prep with the brass trimmer for awhile now and it's very consistent. Indexes off shoulder. I've often debated getting a new fancy one but the FA does such a good job there wouldn't be any gain other than cutting out chamfer and debur being some trimmers do that the same time they trim.

 

[TSFineGuns]

+1 for Frankford Arsenal. I have the Platinum Series and it’s done me well. Trims, chamfers, deburs, and cleans primer pockets. Think I paid around $180 from Bezos.

 

[Owens85]

+1 for Frankford Arsenal. I have the Platinum Series and it’s done me well. Trims, chamfers, deburs, and cleans primer pockets. Think I paid around $180 from Bezos.

View attachment 1512361

That's the one. Only difference for me is I don't use the primer pocket cleaner on it I do that separately with a k and m tool. I use that station on the FA to run a nylon brush through my case necks to help with consistent seating.

 

[Owens85]

That's the one. Only difference for me is I don't use the primer pocket cleaner on it I do that separately with a k and m tool. I use that station on the FA to run a nylon brush through my case necks to help with consistent seating.

And I found using that machine in the vertical position works the best.