RCBS Case Trimmer vs Wilson Case Trimmer?

[Papa Charlie]

I know that a many will pick the Wilson over the RCBS but how do they compare in these categories?

1. Do they both produce repeatable results?
2. Are there differences in accuracy and in what way specifically?
3. Have you ever used the RCBS with the 3 way cutter, good or bad?
4. Any issues with the RCBS Pro 2 quick collett?

Thanks for your input, I know there are a lot of trimmer threads but haven't really seen an answer to these questions.

 

[David Christian]

Patrick, save a few bucks by shooting one less box of ammo and buy this trimmer instead. Your hands and fingers will thank you.

https://www.creedmoorsports.com/product/GIRAUD-POWER-CASE-TRIMMER/case-preparation

You’ll also get half your day back with how quick and accurate this tool is.

DC

 

[Straightshooter1]

I know that a many will pick the Wilson over the RCBS but how do they compare in these categories?

1. Do they both produce repeatable results?
2. Are there differences in accuracy and in what way specifically?
3. Have you ever used the RCBS with the 3 way cutter, good or bad?
4. Any issues with the RCBS Pro 2 quick collett?

Thanks for your input, I know there are a lot of trimmer threads but haven't really seen an answer to these questions.

The reason I prefer Wilson over RCBS is that I don't care for trimmers that hold the case by is base as there is a tendency to induce more run out with cuts not so square to the case. With the Wilson, one gets a more consistent cut that's square case body and it's very reliable at getting consistent case lengths.

I haven't used my Wilson trimmer since I got my Giraud Tri-Way cutter. Not only does it save time by doing 3 operations as once, but it produces very consistent cuts where the neck measurement is consistent from datum to case mount, which the other's don't do as well (which helps with consistent seating and neck tension).

 

[jackson1]

Started with a RCBS collet type trimer. Could never hold a tolerance of+/-0.003" and possibly a little greater. Couple of years ago I bought a Wilson and never looked back, will hold easily +/-0.001". Spent my working life as a tool and die maker and thought I was pretty at setting up tools, but the RCBS unit was beyond my ability to use with any repeatability. Also like the micrometer head on my Wilson. Also can slide out the cutting head and internal chamfer in the same set up.

 

[K22]

The Wilson is an outstanding trimmer and produces very uniform results. Mine has the Sinclair upgrades with the stand and carbide cutters. I'm totally 100% satisfied with mine having trimmed thousands of cases over the last 20 years.

In my opinion, Wilson's use of a case holder is far superior for precise trimming to other brands that use pilots that scar inside of the necks and hold the case by the rim.

 

[Papa Charlie]

Thanks for the comments.

 

[Sniper338]

Wilson is way better quality over RCBS. However Im on the guiard boat now too.

 

[simo hayha]

Rcbs has become a joke... There I said it

 

[AWS]

I much prefer the Wilson/C&H trimmer over a collet trimmer. I like that I can leave the Wilson set up and use it for three different cartridges, I have one set up for 20 Practical, 223 and 6x45 and another set up for 204, 22-204, 6mm-204 and 25-204. For my 222 Rem and 22-250 target rifles I use a Lee Quick trim, it is very accurate.

 

[JimSC]

I have a total of 5 Wilson trimmers each set up for a different cartridge. Once I set it to a cartridge length I don't touch it again. I use the power attachment and a rechargeable electric screwdriver and trim after every firing. Consistency on a budget.

 

[D-4297]

I'll be the dissenting opinion here , based only on price-point . I've been using a R.C.B.S. Trim-Pro ll-Manual for several years now , and have been extremely satisfied with it . Don't have the 3-way head , but was looking at getting one in the near future . It holds a +/- .001 length tolerance and that is more than good enough , since none of my cases are headed for Mars . Just the chamber . Just ran through 260 , .308 Lapua cases , and 250 S&B 7.62 x 54r cases , and after neck de-burring they were all within .001 length . Good machine , and does the job of trimming the cases to length . Bought mine on sale and used the savings between it and the others to get a couple boxes of Berger Hybrids . A Win / Win , in my book .

 

[Papa Charlie]

Thanks all for your posts. I would have liked to get the GIRAUD power case trimmer, but my reloading space is already to the point of overflowing the pilothouse on the boat. Very small space to reload and maintenance my guns. But for now, I have purchased the RCBS Trim Pro and a the 3 way cutter.
I used it over the weekend and so far am very impressed by the quality of the cut. After setting up, I measured every case, total of 105 cases. every single case was exactly the same measurement. Maybe a 0.0005" variance but that is fully acceptable. I also measured around the case mouth to see if it was not square to the body. From the measurements I made with my micrometer, I found no measurable difference. The ability to debur and to champer at the same time as trimming is a real nice feature.
I don't care for the marks on the inside of the neck that I get on some of the cases but I also learned that by pushing down on the lever just enough to loosen the case I get the pilot to enter the mouth without hitting the cartridge and it seems to align the case much better when I release the handle. After learning this there were few cases that showed the markings in the neck.
I am however, embarrassed to say that I had not trimmed these cases in over 8 firings. The cases had grown significantly, the worse 0.042". I am sure that the case mouth was no doubt jamming into my chamber and causing the variations in my neck tension, most probably throwing the concentricity of the case and bullet out of alignment. So I would expect that this could have been at least one of the reasons I get that occasional flyer that you stop and say "What the Heck".
Again, thank you for your comments and suggestions. My Giraud will have to wait just a little while longer.




















'

 

[Twicepop]

I've used Lyman trimmers for the last 30 or maybe more years, both power and manual. The power trimmer has done more than 50K cases with it. It will still hold 0.000" tolerance if I do my part right. The manual trimmer works the same way, but is a lot more tedious to operate. A caveat about the power trimmer is I think they stopped making it.

 

[Rsadams]

Personally I switch to the Forester a few years back and really like it...

 

[cw308]

I use the RCBS Trim Pro Trimmer for 30+ years great trimmer , I tried the 3 way cutter but like trimming and chamfer by hand . RCBS has a lifetime guarantee , you'll never have to buy another trimmer . Great Company.

 

[topclass2017]

I used a Trim Pro 2 for a number of years with the three-way heads. I found that regardless of how I adjusted the chamfer/de-burr portion of the head, for some calibers those functions were not always done to my satisfaction. My solution was to chamfer/deburr every case as a separate step. I thought the uniformity of trim length was more than sufficient.

Recently I switched to a Lyman case trimmer that indexes cases off the shoulder. I am happy with its function as it is simpler to use than the RCBS, and is adjustable in +/- .001" increments. Since I was already chamfering/deburring as a separate function there was no change.

 

[Prose]

Pretty good trimmer for OAL, but not so much if you start trying to turn necks. For that process I would not recommend the RCBS trim pro or really anything similar to it. Got to use a mandrel type for best results. The K&M is nice as are many others.

 

[muleman69]

I know that a many will pick the Wilson over the RCBS but how do they compare in these categories?

1. Do they both produce repeatable results?
2. Are there differences in accuracy and in what way specifically?
3. Have you ever used the RCBS with the 3 way cutter, good or bad?
4. Any issues with the RCBS Pro 2 quick collett?

Thanks for your input, I know there are a lot of trimmer threads but haven't really seen an answer to these questions.

I have both (Wilson and RCBS) and never use the RcBS,not sure why I still have it?

 

[Papa Charlie]

I have both (Wilson and RCBS) and never use the RcBS,not sure why I still have it?

More over how do you know it isn't as good or better than the Wilson.

Not to create a issue here, but how often do we assume something is better just because that is what others are using, or is it the flavor of the day, or is it we didn't use it properly or maybe we didn't give it the same attention we would the daily flavor.

To be honest, based on the measured performance of the RCBS and 3 Way, it would be hard to produce better tolerances.

After all, isn't that what we strive for? Consistency! What's wrong with achieving that goal with the least cost.

 

[muleman69]

More over how do you know it isn't as good or better than the Wilson.

Not to create a issue here, but how often do we assume something is better just because that is what others are using, or is it the flavor of the day, or is it we didn't use it properly or maybe we didn't give it the same attention we would the daily flavor.

To be honest, based on the measured performance of the RCBS and 3 Way, it would be hard to produce better tolerances.

After all, isn't that what we strive for? Consistency! What's wrong with achieving that goal with the least cost.

What ever floats your boat I'm good with it. I'm sure the Rcbs will do the job but I always liked my Wilson