Neck trimming tool

[MOShooter]

New to neck trimming and bushing dies. Ordered a set of Whidden dies today. Now looking for recommendations on a neck trimming tool. I had a local guy tell me to get a pumpkin. After some searching I finally found a place to get one, only to discover they are $250. Are there any other products that are good and not to difficult too use.

 

[Phil3]

Many people like the tools from PMA and 21st Century Shooting. K&M Shooting or Sinclair as well.

www.pmatool.com

http://www.21stcenturyshooting.com/

Phil

 

[coford]

I have several Sinclair tools and they are OK but I really like my PMA. It moves the mandrel closer to the cutter and not the cutter closer to the mandrel. It takes very little set up and is easy to adjust. If I had it to do all over again I would start with PMA and use carbide turning mandrels. It costs a little more but is a better mousetrap. I have never used a Pumpkin but I can buy two PMA's for the same price and I much prefer to leave each turner set up for each different case I turn. Your mileage may vary.

 

[A j shooter]

PMA and don't look back. Good people

 

[BaconFat]

I recently acquired a PMA tool after using a K&M piece for almost a year. The K&M does a fine job, but getting the cutting depth set just right is a little fiddly. Switching to the PMA tool was like switching from driving an original VW Beetle to driving a MB S550.

 

[brian427cobra]

I use a 21st century Neck Turning set up, it's the only turner I have ever used, set up was easy, cuts are consistent, price was right.

 

[Shynloco]

MoShooter,
Do yourself a favor and look into all aspects of a turner, INCLUDING THE MANDRELS you'll be using. The cutter/turner is only one part of what you'll need to do the job. But find one that provides ease in adjustment and consistency when adjusting the blade. I'm too cheap to invest in yet another turner after having bought two in the past. The adjustment factor on mine is a royal pain in the ars, but once it's set, the one I kept works beautifully. Look at all the top models available before choosing so you'll only have to buy once (cry once) and make sure it fits your one part of the equipment necessary and some required more costly mandrels than others. And choose a turner that provides a wide variety of casing turning abilities. Just my thoughts as different strokes for different folks. Certainly the 21st Century, K&M, Sinclair NT4000, PMA and a few others are all worth looking at before choosing the one you like the best.

 

[Lapua40X]

Howdy, MOShooter. Please don't be offended. But when you're using terminology that applies to making changes in the dimensions of case necks, trimming typically refers to changes in the length, turning typically refers to changes in wall thickness. It has taken me quite a while to remember to make that distinction when I'm at the range asking the more experienced shooters questions ... when I mean "turning" and use the word "trimming" I tend to get confusing answers and looks of - well, you know the look. :

 

[MOShooter]

Thank you for the correction. I do know the difference but I wrote that I had only slept about 3hrs in the last 36 and my brain was not working well. This forum is my place for range talk. I don't know anyone who shoots rifles competitively or who load anything but hunting ammo. I do all my shooting at our farm. The closest benchrest range I know of in in STL which is an 1hr 3min drive. I very much appreciate all the info that I have received. I have learn a lot but have much more I need to learn.

 

[amlevin]

Don't overlook a Forster Neck Turning tool. Grabbed one of the shelf of a local store and found that it does a great job. Carbide cutter that doesn't dull. Just wish it had a carbide mandrel, available in custom diameters.