trimming ?

wilsoncqb/steyrTE · November 4, 2006, 06:51 PM

i just got started loading 223/45acp dumped about 2000 into my equipment now my credit card is maxed out and i still dont have trimmer. How close to stated length does a shell have to be before i should worry about trimming. Some are very close to correct length ????

keebo52 · November 4, 2006, 07:06 PM

Buy a Lee trimmer for each. It'll cost you about $10-15 total for the 2 shell holder/ guage sets and the cutter set. It's the cheapest and easiest way to trim cases.

Factory new brass should be pretty close to spec but fired brass may have stretched some. The problems you run in to with long brass is headspacing on the .45 and high pressure on the .223. I always check and trim my brass before loading, especially rifle brass.

MADISON · November 4, 2006, 07:59 PM

...still need a trimmer!
The el-cheapO way to go is buy your self a LEE hand trimmer set.
I have to power trimmers but, I use the LEE to set up my power trimmers.
Look them up on
www.leeprecision.com
then go somewhere like Miidway or or Grafs and buy the pieces you need.

wilsoncqb/steyrTE · November 5, 2006, 02:00 PM

thanks for the help. will take the advice

arkie2 · November 5, 2006, 02:39 PM

Might as well get the zip trim for another 25 bucks. Sounds like you plan on doing a lot of reloading. I use the Lee case trimmer but only load about 20 rifle rounds at a time so I don't mind the time spent trimming the cases by hand but if you're going for volume hand trimming will grate on you.

amamnn · November 5, 2006, 03:30 PM

If you get the Lee trimmers--do yourself a favor and get the cutter with the big wooden knob on it. It's a lot easier to handle.

rwilson452 · November 5, 2006, 03:35 PM

I didn't like the Lee zip trim my Ryobi cordless works much better.

Yes the big wood ball is a big plus for the lee trimmer set up.

keebo52 · November 5, 2006, 05:28 PM

I chuck the cutter end in my drill press and hold the case/shell holder in my hand. This is fast and efficient. The cutter never stops turning and I can trim them as fast as I can load the shell holder.

rwilson452 · November 5, 2006, 08:36 PM

That's odd I do it the other way around. I put the shell holder in the drill.

I chuck the cutter end in my drill press and hold the case/shell holder in my hand. This is fast and efficient. The cutter never stops turning and I can trim them as fast as I can load the shell holder.

keebo52 · November 5, 2006, 10:21 PM

That's the way I used to do it but it's quicker if you chuck the cutter in the drill press. Give it a try.

November 4, 2006, 06:51 PM	#1
wilsoncqb/steyrTE Junior Member Join Date: June 11, 2006 Posts: 5	trimming ? i just got started loading 223/45acp dumped about 2000 into my equipment now my credit card is maxed out and i still dont have trimmer. How close to stated length does a shell have to be before i should worry about trimming. Some are very close to correct length ????

November 4, 2006, 07:59 PM	#3
MADISON Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 2,678	...still need a trimmer! ...still need a trimmer! The el-cheapO way to go is buy your self a LEE hand trimmer set. I have to power trimmers but, I use the LEE to set up my power trimmers. Look them up on www.leeprecision.com then go somewhere like Miidway or or Grafs and buy the pieces you need.

November 5, 2006, 03:30 PM	#6
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	If you get the Lee trimmers--do yourself a favor and get the cutter with the big wooden knob on it. It's a lot easier to handle. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

November 5, 2006, 03:35 PM	#7
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	Lee Zip trim I didn't like the Lee zip trim my Ryobi cordless works much better. Yes the big wood ball is a big plus for the lee trimmer set up.

November 4, 2006, 07:06 PM	#2
keebo52 Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2005 Posts: 244	Buy a Lee trimmer for each. It'll cost you about $10-15 total for the 2 shell holder/ guage sets and the cutter set. It's the cheapest and easiest way to trim cases. Factory new brass should be pretty close to spec but fired brass may have stretched some. The problems you run in to with long brass is headspacing on the .45 and high pressure on the .223. I always check and trim my brass before loading, especially rifle brass.

November 5, 2006, 02:00 PM	#4
wilsoncqb/steyrTE Junior Member Join Date: June 11, 2006 Posts: 5	thanks for the help. will take the advice

November 5, 2006, 02:39 PM	#5
arkie2 Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2006 Posts: 475	Might as well get the zip trim for another 25 bucks. Sounds like you plan on doing a lot of reloading. I use the Lee case trimmer but only load about 20 rifle rounds at a time so I don't mind the time spent trimming the cases by hand but if you're going for volume hand trimming will grate on you.

November 5, 2006, 05:28 PM	#8
keebo52 Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2005 Posts: 244	I chuck the cutter end in my drill press and hold the case/shell holder in my hand. This is fast and efficient. The cutter never stops turning and I can trim them as fast as I can load the shell holder.

November 5, 2006, 08:36 PM	#9
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	That's odd I do it the other way around. I put the shell holder in the drill. I chuck the cutter end in my drill press and hold the case/shell holder in my hand. This is fast and efficient. The cutter never stops turning and I can trim them as fast as I can load the shell holder.

November 5, 2006, 10:21 PM	#10
keebo52 Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2005 Posts: 244	That's the way I used to do it but it's quicker if you chuck the cutter in the drill press. Give it a try.