Trimmer purchase advice

[Luke_NL]

Probably superfluous, but I'll chime in on the Wilson too. Found one (with micrometer) used and cheap, liked the look and feel and bought it on a whim because I didn't particularly like the RCBS trimmer I was using. Sold the RCBS for next to what I paid and never looked back. I got a bunch of case holders (one word of advice: new brass requires a different holder than used brass!) and the 30-degree chamfer tool; only later realised that I stumbled onto a real steal. The guy I bought it from was upgrading to a Giraud, and was kind enough to offer that if I ever had a bucket of brass to trim I could drop by. Will definitely take him up on that once I fill a 5 gallon bucket of .223 plinking brass 8) I like my Wilson, but for small volume.

 

[krktractor]

+ 10 or 15 on the Wilson I thought taken the case in and out would be a pain too but it goes fast and best thing they are trimmed straight and with no burrs on them either best trimmer by far

 

[LHSmith]

one word of advice: new brass requires a different holder than used brass!

Not necessarily, it depends on the cartridge......also like- family cases (i.e. .243, .260, 7/08, .308) use the same holder

 

[Luke_NL]

LH, I have the holders for 6br and the "308" family (i.e. .243 and the like) and for both the new brass requires a different holder than fired brass. What catridges don't? Not trying to be a smart-ass, but see an opportunity to find out more.

 

[bozo699]

I have a half dozen Wilson trimmers, don't know why one is all that is needed, I guess I am a opportunist, when I see a steal I can't help myself. I don't feel the fired case holder is necessary, once sized it will fit in new holder and as you all know after f/l sizing it changes your length some so I see no reason to trim fired brass without sizing it first. I agree with others the accessories are invaluable to me, I have the shark fin and love it as long as you use it properly but I really like the one Lawrence posted, I am calling them in the morning and ordering one,...thanks Lawrence. I do how ever own several fired case holders and find an occasional use for them.
Wayne.

 

[LHSmith]

LH, I have the holders for 6br and the "308" family (i.e. .243 and the like) and for both the new brass requires a different holder than fired brass. What catridges don't? Not trying to be a smart-***, but see an opportunity to find out more.

Just check Wilson's website. Some examples are the .222 family, bee, hornet, 22/250, 30/06 family

 

[Justin1098]

I use the wilson trimmer with the sinclair setup. It is super accurate but, like every other manual trimmer, it sucks to use. It's the hand cranking that really gets me. I got the power adapter and i hook it up to my drill via a flex shaft. Much better now. I didn't get the stainless model and found out very quickly that it will rust if left out more than a day, here in Hawaii. So now I store it in a ziplock baggy hosed down with WD-40.

I plan on getting a "worlds finest trimmer" or some other power trimmer for 223 and other blasting calibers and using the wilson for 6BR exclusively. BTW I only use one case holder for 6br and one for 223 new or fired, no problem.

 

[pikespeakgoat]

Another Wilson convert here, gave up the 'ol Lyman. I wish I'd done so wayyyy sooner!

 

[LHSmith]

I don't feel the fired case holder is necessary, once sized it will fit in new holder and as you all know after f/l sizing it changes your length some so I see no reason to trim fired brass without sizing it first.
Wayne.

Other than wildcat/ Improved cartridges that must be neck turned in order to chamber......and you rely on the stop feature on the neck-turner to produce a consistent cut into the shoulder.....which requires a "new" caseholder. Of course, once fireformed, the case dimension change requires the "fired" caseholder......i.e most PPC and 30 BR chambers.

 

[mshelton]

Check ebay for the Wilson trimmers also, always a few on there and you can probably find a holder there also.

 

[rmist]

I looked on the net, couldn't find anything for the square peg....Is there a web site for the square peg holder ?? Or just call them ?
Thanx
Rmist

 

[cotntop]

Get Wilson with complete upgrade and power adapter. Go to Lowes and black&Decker has a small rechargeable drill for 15.00 and let her rip.

 

[Martin52]

Other than wildcat/ Improved cartridges that must be neck turned in order to chamber......and you rely on the stop feature on the neck-turner to produce a consistent cut into the shoulder.....which requires a "new" caseholder. Of course, once fireformed, the case dimension change requires the "fired" caseholder......i.e most PPC and 30 BR chambers.

I agree, but to be sure.......

1. Cases that have been re-sized in a full length die - use the "New" caseholder.
2. Cases that are neck sized only - use the "fired" caseholder.

Martin

 

[LHSmith]

Other than wildcat/ Improved cartridges that must be neck turned in order to chamber......and you rely on the stop feature on the neck-turner to produce a consistent cut into the shoulder.....which requires a "new" caseholder. Of course, once fireformed, the case dimension change requires the "fired" caseholder......i.e most PPC and 30 BR chambers.

I agree, but to be sure.......

1. Cases that have been re-sized in a full length die - use the "New" caseholder.
2. Cases that are neck sized only - use the "fired" caseholder.

Martin

Thanks, I suspected that N/S cases required the "fired" C/H....but couldn't verify since I don't own any neck sizers.

 

[BillPa]

OK, I've checked out the Wilson's. They do get excellent reviews. One question:
The footnote on Midway's site says to place a case in the case holder, tap it on a solid surface, then place the case holder into trimmer and trim. Does this need to be done every time? If so, it seems like a PITA, although I can see where it gets it's accuracy from.

Its not a PITA. You just tap them in and out, no need for a 10lb hammer! Once into a routine you can trim a case in a few seconds.

I've been using this for at least 20 or more years.

The green pad is for "tapping" the brass in and out of the shellholder. I don't use a shellholder hold down, I keep them pressed down and back against the stop with finger pressure.

Oh, the cutters in the picture are used to uniform primer pockets.


Oh BTW, if you run across any of the old C-H shellholders they're the same as the Wilsons.

Bill

 

[bozo699]

Other than wildcat/ Improved cartridges that must be neck turned in order to chamber......and you rely on the stop feature on the neck-turner to produce a consistent cut into the shoulder.....which requires a "new" caseholder. Of course, once fireformed, the case dimension change requires the "fired" caseholder......i.e most PPC and 30 BR chambers.

I agree, but to be sure.......

1. Cases that have been re-sized in a full length die - use the "New" caseholder.
2. Cases that are neck sized only - use the "fired" caseholder.

Martin

Thanks, I suspected that N/S cases required the "fired" C/H....but couldn't verify since I don't own any neck sizers.

LH Smith,
That is why I own both in many different calibers, I don't neck size but as you stated like the 6ppc needs a 220 russian holder if you for some reason would have to trim before firing, I have very seldom ever seen the need, however I have found good deals on here and bought fired case holders just so I have them, some people like to trim fired brass I do not I like to f/l size it after firing. On the rare occasion that a fired sized case won't fit the way I want it into a case holder I have had my fired and resized case put on our optical comparitor at work and had a machinist grind me a case holder based on those dimensions. For those still doing the old school neck sizing a fired case holder is neccesary, however that is another discussion all in it's self I can only shake my head in dismay when I see people using this method.
Wayne.

 

[savageshooter86]

L.E Wilson is great. I love mine and trims brass same size every time. Once you get use to it putting brass in holder and tapping it in and out and trimming becomes very easy to do quickly.

They make a case holder that will work for Fl sized brass, new brass, and fired brass. That is the one I have and have not had any issues at all.
http://www.lewilsondirect.com/riflecaseholders.aspx

 

[Lazydays]

OK, I've checked out the Wilson's. They do get excellent reviews. One question:
The footnote on Midway's site says to place a case in the case holder, tap it on a solid surface, then place the case holder into trimmer and trim. Does this need to be done every time? If so, it seems like a PITA, although I can see where it gets it's accuracy from.

Yes, with the L. E. Wilson trimmer the case must be tapped into the case holder. This is necessary to prevent the case from spinning within the case holder when cutting the case neck. I tap cases into and out of the case holder on a walnut board. A number of aftermarket accessories are available for the L. E. Wilson trimmer. I suggest you consider your options and choose wisely based on the advise from members on this board.

Sincerely,

LE Hanson

please post a link for that Square Peg holder! Been wanting one for eons, and can't find a place to buy one.
gary

 

[huntermatt]

pmatool has two types of case trimmer, both index off the shoulder of the case and, both can be used manually. One of them is micro-adjustable.

 

[bozo699]

Gary,

After looking around the internet, I am afraid Square Peg is no longer in business. Keep an eye on EBAY, etc... and snatch one up if you find one.

LE Hanson

Well he is in business and he isn't, he no longer sells the square peg he doesn't even have one his self, he is now selling Oehler35p with his added set up tool for it.
Wayne.