Looking for recommendations on a case trimmer that i can swap calibers and bonus if it collects brass shavings. Have googled several on line from reading the forums. Some are case family cutters but case specific would be better.. trim-it 2 is one i have seen but is the company who makes it still around. Tyvm n happy new year.
Multi caliper case trimmer recommendations
- Thread starter Sparky78
- Start date
dusterdave173
Silver $$ Contributor
Wilson
Once you get the hang of it-- is just fine--cuts square and is dead nuts repeatable and price is reasonable
For Bulk as in hundreds of cases of 223 PD ammo I use a WFT but for my premium ammo the Wilson gets the nod---
Once you get the hang of it-- is just fine--cuts square and is dead nuts repeatable and price is reasonable
For Bulk as in hundreds of cases of 223 PD ammo I use a WFT but for my premium ammo the Wilson gets the nod---
Wilson case holders are $16 EACH? 
The Lyman takes all case heads, no adjustment. But may not cut mouth square. Only one i own. No experence with others.
Lyman needs pilots that go into the case neck, after sizing. Different pilot for each cartridge .
9 pilots for $22 at Amazon.
Standard cutter head is steel. May get dull. There is a carbide head for $60 extra. I use steel and lube head with BF CLP every 2nd cut, tooth brush cleans chips & lubes.
Brass chips go every where.
Use eye protection.
The Lyman takes all case heads, no adjustment. But may not cut mouth square. Only one i own. No experence with others.
Lyman needs pilots that go into the case neck, after sizing. Different pilot for each cartridge .
9 pilots for $22 at Amazon.
Standard cutter head is steel. May get dull. There is a carbide head for $60 extra.
I use steel and lube head with BF CLP every 2nd cut, tooth brush cleans chips & lubes.Brass chips go every where.
Use eye protection.coldboreshot
Silver $$ Contributor
One more for Wilson
+1 more for the Lyman, been using mine for over 4 years with no problems. It comes with several of the popular collets and the others aren't that expensive to get what you need.
TonyinKY
Silver $$ Contributor
I have a couple of Wilson trimmers but I usually use one of my old Forsters for 95% of the trimming I do. I’m sure I gave about $40 for the trimmer and kit many years ago. I just looked at what they cost today. If I had to buy a trimmer today, I’d probably just buy another Forster.
Beware of pilots, they scar the inside of the neck, at least the trimmers I had that use pilots.Wilson case holders are $16 EACH?
The Lyman takes all case heads, no adjustment. But may not cut mouth square. Only one i own. No experence with others.
Lyman needs pilots that go into the case neck, after sizing. Different pilot for each cartridge .
9 pilots for $22 at Amazon.
Standard cutter head is steel. May get dull. There is a carbide head for $60 extra.
Brass chips go every where.
Yea, the holder aren't cheap, but they last forever, then some. But in today's runaway inflation, $16 is not much of cost issue for a superior system of centering the case.
And yes, the carbide cutter is expensive, and I like cheap, but this is another cost item that in my opinion is worth the cost. It produces uniform trimmed cases and cuts with less effort. It also lasts forever, well if you're an old fart like me, forever isn't too far away.
I have the Lyman trimmer which is ok for pistol and heavy rim bottle neck cartridges the pilot issue notwithstanding, but for thin rim cases such as the 223 Rem, the holder can produce and off-center position due to the rim being so thin and worn after several firings and extractions. Another vote for case holders like Wilson.
Yea, the chips tend to accumulate around the trimmer of the Wilson like most trimmers, but it is no big deal - just brush them into a waste basket. I never got a chip in my eye but there is always a first time - wear safety glasses to be safe.
But here's how to reduce the amount of trimming - get a Sinclair Chamber Length Gauge (it's inexpensive) and at least for me, I have been able to reduce the amount of trimming needed by well over 50%. - Tip of the Day.
The Frankford arsenal platinum case prep center is what I've used for a few years. It is very easy to change between calibers and is very consistent. Only thing is you have to chamfer and debur in a separate step but I can easily do 50 cases in a few minutes.
10XSHOOTER
Gold $$ Contributor
LEE specific trimmers. Murphy can't bite your butt!
https://www.grafs.com/catalog/product/productId/115145
If I was starting out now this would be tempting. Deburr’s and chamfer the case in the same trimming process.
If I was starting out now this would be tempting. Deburr’s and chamfer the case in the same trimming process.
Steve Donlon
Gold $$ Contributor
FORSTER original-case-trimmer small and effective, easy to adjust.
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Ruger15151
F-Class Shooter (6BRA and WIN 284)
Are you trimming Hangun or rifle cases?
Giraud Power Case Trimmer if you are looking for precision trimming of rifle cases. If you just want cheap, buy a Lee.
Giraud Power Case Trimmer if you are looking for precision trimming of rifle cases. If you just want cheap, buy a Lee.
I generally trim 20 to maybe 50 pieces of brass at a time. No large scale production here. I started with a Lyman & wore it out. It was OK. I replaced it with a Redding because the Redding turns the case so it's real hard to get crooked case mouths. Length can & does vary a few thousandths between pieces. Not really a big deal, but... last year I was digging around in some boxes of stuff I had packed away for a long time & found a couple of brand new Wilson trimmers along with some of their case holders.
For consistency the Wilson cant be beat. The cutter seems to leave much less brass to be chamfered after trimming too. I now have holders for almost everything I load. It has a small footprint so is easily stored out of the way when not in use. The basic length adjustment screw is a pain in the butt, so have a micrometer adjuster ordered. It should be here any day.
I still use the Redding for oddball rifle & what pistol stuff that gets trimmed, but am very happy with the Wilson & it should be even better with the new adjuster. If I get real lazy there's a power adapter for the hand crank too.
There's a guy in the classifieds here who makes some pretty slick 3D printed devices. OpenSpaces I think is his name. He makes brass catchers for various trimmers. Dont have one because it's not a big deal for me to brush off the tool, but would imagine they work well.
Yeah have my fathers lyman and hornady trimmers for small stuff. When i store up and crank out tons of 300 blackout I am at the point of a trimmer that trims, chamfers and deburrs in one shot. Looks like WTF -gen 2 is my route. Others I have looked at the company doesnt make anymore or out of business. If something breaks would like to be able to get parts.
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