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Powered Case Trimmer shopping

PBking51

Gold $$ Contributor
Disclaimer...giraud is off the table......

So my wife has me on quarantine so I don't bring anything in the house around our newborn. After watching TV and getting caught up some finances, I spent most of the afternoon looking for stuff I have gotten by without, but would make my life a whole lot easier if Im stuck at home reloading. What don't I have already? A powered case trimmer. I've been getting by with a Lyman universal, which when I needed a replacement cutter I picked up the drill attachment. I'm by no means a bulk reloader the last 2 years, only loading 20-50 cases for guns I feel like taking to the range the next coming weekend, but Id love to save time, reload more, or perhaps have the capability of loading more. Ive been spoiled this year shooting mostly pistol and new brass for my rifles, but something tells me I will be home a lot more this year and with my new reloading room, this might be the time to start stocking up on finished ammo.

In reviewing my options I am leaning on the "Trim it 2", Little Crow WTF, RCBS Universal Case trimmer/prep center, and Lyman Brass Smith Trim Express. Not sure what else is out there but I think I want to stay away from Frankford Product, and Id rather not use a drill/drill press and have a stand alone unit. I no longer see myself shooting over 500 yards at anything more than a whitetail, wood chuck, or Coyote, but more realistically no more than 300 yards as deer have been my only target since 2014. I have gotten 3" groups at 500 using my current lyman, so if any of the options I listed are on par with that I would be happy as a clam.

I still have about 34 rifle calibers I load for and just added a 32-20 to the mix, so now 35. Somehow I still have all the guns to go with the dies ;)
For that reason I am leaning more towards the Brass smith or RCBS. The dial indicator on the RCBS is also something I would love, having my share of issues with my manual lyman's adjustment prior to making a dummy round.

I like how the Lyman measures off the shoulder, as does the WFT and Trim-it-2.

The RCBS looks like its good for most of my calibers out of the box and the added case prep section moving while the next round is trimmed has me enthusiastic about hitting the "add to cart" button. Ive heard that some have had initial setup issues with the RCBS and some complain it doesn't cut straight and leaves behind some chatter on cases.

The WFT, and Trim it have me interested with the 3 way cutting, measuring off shoulders, and what looks to be a smooth adjustment ring...but at $20-$25 each caliber, I would rather sell off the majority of the guns and dies I have than spend $900 on case holders.

Talk me out of one of them or tell me why I should consider one over another, or even suggest an alternative that will give me everything I need.
 
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I knew I'd get the Giraud crowd in fast! Caliber specific shellholders at $38 each is too hard for me to justify. Again, if I was dedicated to 3 calibers and only wanted sub MOA out to 1000 yards it would be first on my short list. I could say, well I'll just use the Giraud for what I shoot alot of and use my existing Lyman for what I don't load for often. That kind of money for a Few calibers for someone who isn't shooting eggs or shooting for money is tough to justify and then still relying on a manual one for 85% of my other stuff.
 
F Class John said:
A couple things.

I have it and only use it for one caliber. Still worth it for me. Of course everyone’s situation is different and I understand that.

I have my gunsmith make my insert for me for less than half the price and I feel it works better. Just a 7/8-14 threaded old barrel reamed to your chamber. Polish it out and enjoy.
Click to expand...
not trying to hijack the thread but thats interesting. thought of getting the giraud myself but like the OP i didnt want to buy all the shellholders. I have a lathe though so looks like i could make them. Might need a bunch of chamber reamers though.
 
PBking51 said:
I knew I'd get the Giraud crowd in fast! Caliber specific shellholders at $38 each is too hard for me to justify. Again, if I was dedicated to 3 calibers and only wanted sub MOA out to 1000 yards it would be first on my short list. I could say, well I'll just use the Giraud for what I shoot alot of and use my existing Lyman for what I don't load for often. That kind of money for a Few calibers for someone who isn't shooting eggs or shooting for money is tough to justify and then still relying on a manual one for 85% of my other stuff.
Click to expand...
Sell a few of your off caliber guns and buy a Giraud and all the specific shellholders and cutters needed for the other 30 calibers that you load for—no brainer once you try it.
 
F Class John said:
On a more budget minded side this is a great unit for the money.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020728567

Click to expand...

Thanks @f_class_john this one I was strongly considering.

The RCBS universal case prep/trimmer was a front runner because there's a lever to control feed, no case adapters to use (though the Lyman is very simple and doesn't require a pilot), and the auto chamfer, deburr, primer pocket dress.

Do you have any experience with that machine? Any pitfalls? It too has a nice indexable adjustment too.

On the Lyman in your video, how close are all the cases to each other? +/- .001? +/- .002? .005?
 
PBking51 said:
Thanks @f_class_john this one I was strongly considering.

The RCBS universal case prep/trimmer was a front runner because there's a lever to control feed, no case adapters to use (though the Lyman is very simple and doesn't require a pilot), and the auto chamfer, deburr, primer pocket dress.

Do you have any experience with that machine? Any pitfalls? It too has a nice indexable adjustment too.

On the Lyman in your video, how close are all the cases to each other? +/- .001? +/- .002? .005?
Click to expand...
I honestly think it's a great machine for the money and very consistent. In the limited testing I did it easily was +/- .002 and actually less than that in most cases. The biggest downside for me is that it is basically an end mill so it trims flat and still needs you to handle it again to deburr and chamfer. For me that's a deal breaker because I try to limit my 'touches' as my friend says, as much as possible. I love reloading but repeated touches of the brass when they're preventable isn't my idea of fun. However if budget it top of mind it's a great trimmer IMHO.
 
pbking why not the Frankfort aresnal case prep center... just curious... been using one for about 3 years now without issue...easy to set up and does a good job..
 
@F Class John
In your opinion do you see different levels of consistency when trimming when you have annealed prior and post trimming?... I hope that made sense. I have been thinking of testing this and haven’t but you seem to be a very anal and precise type of person and I’m guessing you may have already tested this.
Wayne
 
@F Class John Any experience with the RCBS machine? Link below
https://www.brownells.com/reloading...its/universal-case-prep-center-prod64667.aspx

This would solve the problem of limited "touches" and the motor would run to trim on case while prepping another case

@gman47564 I like alot of Frankfords stuff and they make alot of innovative tools, but I read there were some quality control issues with their trimmer. I'm sure the other companies have the same issue but in reading reviews the FA trimmer looked to have more with unfavorable mentions
 
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