Forster Case Trimmer 3-way cutting head

[watercam]

Just set up my Forster trimmer w/ 3-way cutting head(s). It works great. It has it's limitations (06 length case would be about max) and they only make heads in .22, .243 and .308. In addition, length adjustments are limited without having to move the stop collar but if you , like me, are only using one or two rounds for high volume match shooting it is a big time saver.
I use a Wilson trimmer with micrometer adjustment and I consider it a very superior unit (especially in stainless steel which I wished I had) but they do not, nor are considering, a 3-way cutter head. Frankly there isn't room for one in any event. But the time taken to trim, then chamfer, then de-bur is about double the time it takes with the Forster.
If one balks at $300 for a Gracie or $400 plus for a Giraud, try about $120 for Forster in one caliber, add $55 for a second. Cuts are clean, precise and straight.
Mike T.

 

[jonbearman]

If you use the drill press holder the sky is the limit.It retails for about 55.00.

 

[RDavies]

Was looking at these in the Sinclair catalogue yesterday, and was keen, but as I shoot a 6.5 and 7m, I will have to wait for more offerings to come ut.

 

[GrocMax]

You can buy the 'long' and 'extra long' base from Forster for the really long cases.

 

[Ron10x]

When I ask the Forster folks at the Shot Show about a 6.5 cutter they did not seem very interested. They said something about the difficulty in setting up the cutters. I did not press the issue. I couldn't figure out why 6.5 would be any more difficult than .223 to setup. I'm guessing it may have something to do with sales volume.

I currently use the RCBS 3-way trimmer for .223 and .30 and they do have a 6.5 too and it is less expensive than the Forster offering.

Just my 2 cents.

Ron

 

[watercam]

You must be right but it seems the 7mm would be a no brainer. It would not take too much trouble to turn the .308 pilot down and tweak the cutters but it RCBS may be the way to go. I opted out of that one because it seemed that adjusting the cutters with every caliber change might be a bear but I should have asked someone who is using one!

 

[Ron10x]

Watercam,

I have seperate RCBS cutters for each caliber. Once I get the adjustments to where I want them there is no need to change them. Yes, you can just repace the pilot and them adjust the cutters but to me that is a waste of time.

I have dummy cases that I use to set the length a bit long. I measure the case with the dial caliper and adjust the cutters for the desired length. I'm very happy with the RCBS power trimmer and 3-way cutters.

Ron