Best case trimmer?

603Country · April 15, 2011, 12:40 PM

I have an RCBS case trimmer that I've used for years. It works Ok, but I'm not sure that it's trimming the brass exactly square with the base. The guns all shoot fine, so it's not a real big concern of mine, but I still wonder what trimmer others use and why. What do you serious target shooters use, and do you believe that it makes a noticeable difference in accuracy?

Inspector3711 · April 15, 2011, 02:56 PM

If it aint broke..... But if you decide you need a new toy anyway, I like my Forster. I bought a kit from Cabelas that comes with arbors and bushings, saves some cash in the end. Later I added the power adapter for about $8 so it's powered by a cordless drill.

You can add other accessories to it as well.

Rifleman1776 · April 15, 2011, 03:17 PM

Mine is a Sinclair. Made for serious target shooters. Not fancy but simple and well made. I dunno if Sinclair is still in business.

wncchester · April 15, 2011, 03:57 PM

Gracy.

amamnn · April 15, 2011, 05:38 PM

Best is of course a relative term........... The Wilson/Sinclair combo with a micrometer adjustment might be termed "best" by some people who load a lot of different cartridges and who actually DO write down what the micrometer read for thus and such a case and cartridge in such and such a lot # on such and such a date....................The Forster might be considered "best" because of its flexibility--you can trim and turn and ream and now they even have a trim -chamfer and debur in one step function for it. These are both hand cranked units--if you are not looking for precision, but volume ---the motorized versions of these two and all others are pretty much the same as far as I have seen. BTW, the Forster can be used with an attachment to hook it up to an electric drill/screwdriver--the Wilson may be the same I am not sure--I know the Forster has that capability because I use it.

603Country · April 16, 2011, 12:20 PM

Thanks for the feedback. I haven't decided whether or not to go with the Wilson/Sinclair, but that would be what I'd buy.

FrankenMauser · April 16, 2011, 01:12 PM

When I was looking for a decent case trimmer, I spent more time comparing reviews and the cost of accessories, than the actual cost of the trimmer.

Although the Forster had better reviews, it lacked some critical accessories, at the time. I ended up buying the Hornady trimmer, and have absolutely no issues with it. But.... the Forster now has more accessories available.

I've used Lyman, RCBS, Hornady, and Herters trimmers. They're all essentially the same. The only major differences are usually case mounting methods and cutter blade attachment methods. Until you get to the Wilson/Sinclair, it makes more sense buy based on accessories available, rather than just the trimmer's features.

hooligan1 · April 16, 2011, 01:29 PM

I use an old Forster, it does everthing I could ask of it.

(for my simple needs)

LOUD · April 16, 2011, 01:37 PM

Mine is a Hornady and it works great , just set it up and all your cases come out the same ....its a good product and the shell holders work in my press as well............LOUD

603Country · April 16, 2011, 07:17 PM

I guess I'll stick with what I have, now that I realize that I really do have all the bits and pieces. Spending more money, in this case, might not help too much, and I'm not a bench or precision shooter. I am however an Engineer, which makes me a rather picky person when it come to the details of reloading (and most everything else). My biggest shooting handicap is the interface between bench and rifle.

Memnok · April 16, 2011, 07:25 PM

I hear good things about the Possum Hollow trimmers, although I have no personal experience with them. I'd like to try them for 223. They size based on the neck rather than the base.

chiefr · April 16, 2011, 09:20 PM

Most of my trimming is on a Forster which I have owned for over 40 years.
If I must trim a great deal, IE shortening brass, I use my RCBS power pro trimmer.

April 15, 2011, 12:40 PM	#1
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 4,000	Best case trimmer? I have an RCBS case trimmer that I've used for years. It works Ok, but I'm not sure that it's trimming the brass exactly square with the base. The guns all shoot fine, so it's not a real big concern of mine, but I still wonder what trimmer others use and why. What do you serious target shooters use, and do you believe that it makes a noticeable difference in accuracy?

April 15, 2011, 02:56 PM	#2
Inspector3711 Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2008 Location: Puget Sound Washington Posts: 1,553	If it aint broke..... But if you decide you need a new toy anyway, I like my Forster. I bought a kit from Cabelas that comes with arbors and bushings, saves some cash in the end. Later I added the power adapter for about $8 so it's powered by a cordless drill. You can add other accessories to it as well. __________________ "If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun." The Dalai Llama (5/15/01, The Seattle Times) "That rifle on the wall of the labourer's cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." George Orwell

April 15, 2011, 05:38 PM	#5
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	Best is of course a relative term........... The Wilson/Sinclair combo with a micrometer adjustment might be termed "best" by some people who load a lot of different cartridges and who actually DO write down what the micrometer read for thus and such a case and cartridge in such and such a lot # on such and such a date....................The Forster might be considered "best" because of its flexibility--you can trim and turn and ream and now they even have a trim -chamfer and debur in one step function for it. These are both hand cranked units--if you are not looking for precision, but volume ---the motorized versions of these two and all others are pretty much the same as far as I have seen. BTW, the Forster can be used with an attachment to hook it up to an electric drill/screwdriver--the Wilson may be the same I am not sure--I know the Forster has that capability because I use it. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

April 16, 2011, 01:12 PM	#7
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,443	When I was looking for a decent case trimmer, I spent more time comparing reviews and the cost of accessories, than the actual cost of the trimmer. Although the Forster had better reviews, it lacked some critical accessories, at the time. I ended up buying the Hornady trimmer, and have absolutely no issues with it. But.... the Forster now has more accessories available. I've used Lyman, RCBS, Hornady, and Herters trimmers. They're all essentially the same. The only major differences are usually case mounting methods and cutter blade attachment methods. Until you get to the Wilson/Sinclair, it makes more sense buy based on accessories available, rather than just the trimmer's features. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

April 16, 2011, 01:29 PM	#8
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,591	I use an old Forster, it does everthing I could ask of it.(for my simple needs) __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

April 15, 2011, 03:17 PM	#3
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	Mine is a Sinclair. Made for serious target shooters. Not fancy but simple and well made. I dunno if Sinclair is still in business.

April 15, 2011, 03:57 PM	#4
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	Gracy.

April 16, 2011, 12:20 PM	#6
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 4,000	Thanks for the feedback. I haven't decided whether or not to go with the Wilson/Sinclair, but that would be what I'd buy.

April 16, 2011, 01:37 PM	#9
LOUD Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 236	Mine is a Hornady and it works great , just set it up and all your cases come out the same ....its a good product and the shell holders work in my press as well............LOUD

April 16, 2011, 07:17 PM	#10
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 4,000	I guess I'll stick with what I have, now that I realize that I really do have all the bits and pieces. Spending more money, in this case, might not help too much, and I'm not a bench or precision shooter. I am however an Engineer, which makes me a rather picky person when it come to the details of reloading (and most everything else). My biggest shooting handicap is the interface between bench and rifle.

April 16, 2011, 07:25 PM	#11
Memnok Member Join Date: November 27, 2009 Posts: 33	I hear good things about the Possum Hollow trimmers, although I have no personal experience with them. I'd like to try them for 223. They size based on the neck rather than the base. __________________ Clint ---------------------------------- Good government is no substitute for self-government. Mahatma Gandhi That government is best which governs least, because its people discipline themselves. - Thomas Jefferson

April 16, 2011, 09:20 PM	#12
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	Most of my trimming is on a Forster which I have owned for over 40 years. If I must trim a great deal, IE shortening brass, I use my RCBS power pro trimmer.