What's the best case trimmer?

[Sniper338]

I've had an RCBS case trimmer for a while but never used it because I've had a feeling it didn't trim straight... I messed with it some this morning since I had some time and I am not 100% on that it will not cut straight so I didn't even try... It does not hold the brass perfectly in line with the cutter bit at all. So, needless to say I will not use it...

What is the best case trimmer to get that is adjustable where I can measure all the brass in a box and trim them all to the length of the shortest one so they are all even? I was surprised how much this new lapua brass varied... 308 brass.. shortest was 2.002, longest was 2.007.. I would like to clean that up a bit... Looking for bench-rest quality stuff here... Thanks for the input!

 

[dbaird]

Wilson is as good as it gets and far as accuracy and ease of adjustments.

 

[Sniper338]

Wilson is as good as it gets and far as accuracy and ease of adjustments.

The one with the micrometer? I was just looking on sinclairs website..

 

[JRS]

The PMA is a real jewel

 

[fguffey]

What is the best case trimmer to get that is adjustable where I can measure all the brass in a box and trim them all to the length of the shortest one so they are all even?

Thanks for the input!

I use a case length gage that has not been invented, if you want all the cases the same length all will have to be trimmed to the length of the shortest case. You could sort by length and separate.

There are not many trimmers I do not have. My favorite and most accurate is the trim forming die. I have the Dillon 1200 and the Gracey. The case holder for each chamber cost close to $40.00. A problem for reloader when they insist the cases match in length when using trimmers that have case holders that set up on the shoulder of the case, no consideration is given to the length of the case from the shoulder/datum to the case head.

The trim die is adjustable, it has threads.

The cost of the trim/form die can be off set because they are used for forming and trimming. If I had one trim/form die it would be the 308 W, next would be the 243 W.

F. Guffey

 

[XTR]

If you are shooting bench rest and loading 40 cases for a weekend I don't know. For me, there is nothing that comes close to my Giraud. I trimmed 465 cases last night getting ready for Phoenix next month. I did them in lots by weight, but it probably didn't take an hour total.

If you are shooting BR and trimming 10 cases and you want them to .0005, get a Wilson or something like it. If you are shooting F class or NRA HP (or anything else for that matter) and trimming hundreds of cases, get a Giraud.

 

[michaelnel]

Wilson is as good as it gets and far as accuracy and ease of adjustments.

I agree. I have the one with the micrometer, and it is easy to use and very consistent.

 

[Sniper338]

If you are shooting bench rest and loading 40 cases for a weekend I don't know. For me, there is nothing that comes close to my Giraud. I trimmed 465 cases last night getting ready for Phoenix next month. I did them in lots by weight, but it probably didn't take an hour total.

If you are shooting BR and trimming 10 cases and you want them to .0005, get a Wilson or something like it. If you are shooting F class or NRA HP (or anything else for that matter) and trimming hundreds of cases, get a Giraud.

I am trimming hundreds of cases, but not over night, and not all the time... $460 plus each part for every different caliber?!!!! HOLY SHI* I cant do that!


Even the wilson trimmer from what I see, you have to buy a case holder for each caliber you have?...

This is getting expensive quick!

 

[Terry_M]

Buy once, cry once. Get the best stuff right off and you will not regret it. If you're going to buy 5 lesser trimmers over the next 4 years chasing the result you could get buying one then what did you really save?

 

[fguffey]

Even the wilson trimmer from what I see, you have to buy a case holder for each caliber you have?...

This is getting expensive quick!

Then there is another decision when using the Wilson, there is a case holder for fired cases and sized cases.

F. Guffey

 

[padom]

The Giraud Tri Way trimmer that goes on a power drill is awesome. Super accurate and chamfers and deburs all in one step.

 

[hogpatrol]

WFT. A pain to set up but trims the necks to the same length, not the case.

 

[nmkid]

I recently purchased a, "Dead On Case Trimmer". Don't know how to paste a link but, just Google and his site will come up. It is very accurate and super fast. For what it's worth...Excellent build finish.

 

[dkhunt14]

I never had to trim new brass. If you take a inch diameter of aluminum or steel you can run the reamer in to get the taper and holders are then cheap. One time in a pinch I just bored the hole in one slightly bigger then the case and used a greased case with Devcon and made the right taper on it. A lot of times the case holder does more then one. When I size my cases the shoulders are all the same so trimming overall doesn't hurt a thing. The Wilson is cheap fast and does a great job. If you record the measurement from the end that holds the case to the frame you can easily set it uip and change with a dial caliper. Matt

 

[zipollini]

I am trimming hundreds of cases, but not over night, and not all the time... $460 plus each part for every different caliber?!!!! HOLY SHI* I cant do that!


Even the wilson trimmer from what I see, you have to buy a case holder for each caliber you have?...

This is getting expensive quick!

If you think this is expensive you better be looking for a different hobby very quickly. It's going to get much much worse very quickly.

 

[1raggedhole]

WFT is a great value, and does what it is supposed to do. Trims hundreds per hour easy.

 

[Patch700]

I'm wondering which model rcbs trimmer the op has that he is seeing these problems with.. Is it the model that utilizes the rear Collett type setup or the other spring loaded version?

I have a Wilson and I also have an rcbs and also have used the forster , to me I don't see how you'd be getting such large discrepancies with any of those mentioned unless something was blatantly wrong with it.

Provided the cutting head end is installed correctly the only way you could have variances in case length by that margin would be if the case was not properly inserted and held in the back end.

I will say that the Wilson is far more fail safe with regards to setting up of the case.

Let's assume you're trimming 30 cal cases and you find that they are cut out of square to an amount of say .005" that's 5 tho measured across a mouth that has a diameter of .308" .. I'd say there is a big problem that needs to be addressed and in my experience it boils down to the tool not being properly set up or cases not being installed correctly in the back end.

 

[CharlieNC]

Wouldn't say it's the best but the Lee with the drill attachment cranks them out very fast, and with the built in caliber-specific stop the lengths have always been the same for me. You can spend as much as you want, but I don't know what they will do better than this $10 rig.