Wilson Trimmer Case Holders

[SGK]

So I originally purchased the case holder for fired cases - neck sized only - but now full length resize. I'm not sure I see what the problem is with using the fired case holder versus the one for new/FL resized cases. Can someone enlighten me?

308 Win

 

[hrlincoln]

So I originally purchased the case holder for fired cases - neck sized only - but now full length resize. I'm not sure I see what the problem is with using the fired case holder versus the one for new/FL resized cases. Can someone enlighten me?

308 Win

I don't know what the deal is either. I've trimmed new, fired, and sized 6BR brass using just the fired case holder for years now with no issues.

 

[klamathsteel]

This is from the LE Wilson website.

* The FIRED Case Holders are for Neck Sized Cases. * But, if we DO NOT make a "New Case" holder for your caliber then this will work for all cases (NEW, FIRED OR FULL LENGTH RESIZED).

** For example: we only make ONE holder for the 222/223 Remington. This will work for all Fired / New and Full Length Resized Brass **

 

[mikeeg02]

After you buy a couple case holders, you'll find that they are all very close.

I bought a standard br, x47 and 260ai case holder. The br case holder fits a br, dasher, br-improved, 260ai, pretty much anything I can stick into it. But I size them all before trimming.

I havent even opened the x47 or 260ai case holder. Unless the cartridge has a wildly different taper, they are all close enough to fit in my opinion.

 

[nmkid]

This is from the LE Wilson website.

* The FIRED Case Holders are for Neck Sized Cases. * But, if we DO NOT make a "New Case" holder for your caliber then this will work for all cases (NEW, FIRED OR FULL LENGTH RESIZED).

** For example: we only make ONE holder for the 222/223 Remington. This will work for all Fired / New and Full Length Resized Brass **

Exactly! When I had a Wilson trimmer some of my cases required fired and unfired holders. I personally didn't care for that.

 

[SGK]

This is from the LE Wilson website.

* The FIRED Case Holders are for Neck Sized Cases. * But, if we DO NOT make a "New Case" holder for your caliber then this will work for all cases (NEW, FIRED OR FULL LENGTH RESIZED).

** For example: we only make ONE holder for the 222/223 Remington. This will work for all Fired / New and Full Length Resized Brass **

Yes I know. I've read that. But if you have the 308 holder for FIRED (neck sized only) cases - like I do - I don't see why this can't be used for New/FL sized cases - as I just did. I'm trying to understand what the drawback of using Fired holder with FL-sized brass.

 

[spclark]

I'm not sure I see what the problem is with using the fired case holder versus the one for new/FL resized cases.

There isn’t one IF when you’re trimming cases they are: 1) held in-line with the trimmer cutter’s axis; 2) held tight enough to prevent the cutter from spinning them in the holder; 3) both ends protrude enough for the purpose, i. e. keeping case head secure against adjustable end stop and case necks protrude far enough out of holder so trimmer head can function properly.

Sometimes neck-sized only cases are too fat in the body to fit a new/fl-sized case holder and still have neck protrude enough.

With a neck-size only case holder, new/fl-sized cases can have case head fully enter the case holder. Neither condition is desirable.

 

[klamathsteel]

spclark is spot on !!

 

[rardoin]

Using the 'neck sized' case holder on full length sized cases will allow the case to seat a bit deeper in the holder which can produce two issues. The first being that there may be no case base protrusion to rest on the micrometer adjuster; on a small body case the adjuster may be larger than the opening in the holder not allowing it to reach the case base. The second is that excess protrusion of the neck and forward body of the case will give the cutter head more 'leverage' to move the case holder during trimming. I have encountered the latter and it required much more downward force to keep the holder secure during the cutting operation leading to increased hand fatigue. Using the correct holder greatly improved that situation.

 

[SGK]

So I decided to buy the "new/FL" sized case holder. Tried to use it just now and my FL resized 308 cases won't extend through the holder enough to be able to trim! Lovely.

 

[spclark]

But will they chamber in your rifle?

You give inserted case a good tap on base to seat it nicely in holder’s bore? This is a necessary step or cases won’t be held firmly, will spin once neck cutter engages.

Sized 308WIN cases stick out ~ 1/2” from my case holder:

 

[SGK]

Yes they will chamber. Easily. And yes I give them a tap.
Looks like your case holder is for neck sized brass. My new/FL sized brass holder is marked New Case.

(That's a funky looking neck on that case)

 

[spclark]

(That's a funky looking neck on that case)

Ya’ think?

I’m an advocate of only sizing enough of the neck to hold the next bullet.

In 308 that’s about 0.1” in length. The rest stays ‘as fired’ the better to help center up cases when chambering. If’n it came out that way - and it goes back in easily - it don’t need to be sized.

 

[spclark]

Bottom picture looks normal

Yep, it does.

But that’s not a New Case holder in that image.

I admit the holder I use (shown in my post) isn’t stamped New Case either! It’s been so long since I bought it I don’t remember whether I ordered for ‘sized’ or new... be glad to mic both ends’ ID’s, post results here upon request.

 

[SGK]

Which is the "bottom picture"?

The holder in the image on the left of my post is what I purchased recently - the one for "new or FL sized cases". The one on the right is supposedly for neck sized cases only. The cases in the images have been FL resized in my Redding bushing die. SPClark's image looks just like my FL sized case in the neck sized only holder.

I’m an advocate of only sizing enough of the neck to hold the next bullet.

In 308 that’s about 0.1” in length.

When I first looked I thought the neck was bulging. With a closer look I see that's not the case. I thought the rule of thumb was one calibre width of bearing surface sitting in the neck of the case. Maybe I should back off my sizing bushing as I have a very large difference in fired neck diameter versus sized.

 

[SGK]

Yeah well that holder is meant to be for neck sized cases. In the first post I asked whether it mattered using this case holder now that I FL resize. In the end I added the holder for new/FL sized cases to an order of powder. I tried to use it for the first time today and was surprised to find it rather useless.

 

[divingin]

Yes I know. I've read that. But if you have the 308 holder for FIRED (neck sized only) cases - like I do - I don't see why this can't be used for New/FL sized cases - as I just did. I'm trying to understand what the drawback of using Fired holder with FL-sized brass.

Has to do with how far into the holder the case fits. The fired case holder is reamed out slightly larger to allow enough neck to protrude when dealing with slightly enlarged cases.

If you try and use a "new case" holder with fired brass, there is a possibility that the case mouth will end up inside the holder when firmly seated, making trimming impossible.

Edit to add: If you can get to the case mouth, you're good to go. The fired case holder is only needed if you can't.

 

[klamathsteel]

They're 11 bucks for cryin out loud. Why not just get the one that Wilson recommends ?? Done deal.

 

[SGK]

They're 11 bucks for cryin out loud. Why not just get the one that Wilson recommends ?? Done deal.

Read posts 12 and 14. The one for New/FL Resized brass doesn't work with brass FL resized with a Redding die.

I'm happy to sell you the "done deal".

 

[moondog]

I've run into this on several calibers. Easy answer is to send a fired case to them with your case holder. They will open it up for a nominal charge. Plus, they turn them fast.