Zip Trim advice . . .

Prof Young · November 8, 2015, 02:25 AM

So I use my zip trim to trim my 223 cases. I have trouble with the case staying in the center of the case holder/colette. I tighten it down as best I can but the case frequently slips off center making it harder to trim the case. Thoughts?

Live well, be safe

flashhole · November 8, 2015, 09:15 AM

Is there a slight rise on the center of the anvil? You might run the flat surface across some emery paper and see if that helps.

Jim243 · November 8, 2015, 10:14 AM

It sounds like you are using the special case holders with the Zip Trim. Often when the holder is not tighten down enough, the cartage case will spin out of the holder as you pull the pulley to spin the case. The case "gauge" has a pin that will go through the primer hole in the case, make sure this pin is tight on the gauge and centered in the case before you pull the string on the Zip Trim.
(be sure you have re-sized the case and removed the primer)

As you mentioned you are doing 223/5.56 cases and often when they are extracted from an AR-15 the base of this rimless cartage gets messed up (bent) and will not fit flat into the holder, the only thing you can do about this is to tighten the case holder down as well as you can without over forcing it on the Zip Trim.

I went from the special case holders to the three jaw holder that is made for the Zip Trim and that eliminated many of the problems with the cases slipping out of the Zip Trim as they where being spun. It did not eliminate the case bases being bent, but the cases were held into the zip trim better.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/352...ck-case-holder

Short of using a different method to trim your cases, the zip trim will work, but take your time and pull the string slowly at the start of any trim to insure the case is in tight before giving it a strong pull.

Lee came out with a new cutter and trimmer that works much better than the zip trim and I would recommend using that. I use it for all my 223/5.56 cases. It fits into the press and chamfers the case as well as trimming it.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/717...m-case-trimmer

Good luck and stay safe.
Jim

November 8, 2015, 02:25 AM	#1
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,404	Zip Trim advice . . . So I use my zip trim to trim my 223 cases. I have trouble with the case staying in the center of the case holder/colette. I tighten it down as best I can but the case frequently slips off center making it harder to trim the case. Thoughts? Live well, be safe

November 8, 2015, 09:15 AM	#2
flashhole Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2005 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 2,000	Is there a slight rise on the center of the anvil? You might run the flat surface across some emery paper and see if that helps. __________________ ,,, stupidity comes to some people very easily. 8/22/2017 my wife in a discussion about Liberals. Are you ready for civil war?

November 8, 2015, 10:14 AM	#3
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	It sounds like you are using the special case holders with the Zip Trim. Often when the holder is not tighten down enough, the cartage case will spin out of the holder as you pull the pulley to spin the case. The case "gauge" has a pin that will go through the primer hole in the case, make sure this pin is tight on the gauge and centered in the case before you pull the string on the Zip Trim. (be sure you have re-sized the case and removed the primer) As you mentioned you are doing 223/5.56 cases and often when they are extracted from an AR-15 the base of this rimless cartage gets messed up (bent) and will not fit flat into the holder, the only thing you can do about this is to tighten the case holder down as well as you can without over forcing it on the Zip Trim. I went from the special case holders to the three jaw holder that is made for the Zip Trim and that eliminated many of the problems with the cases slipping out of the Zip Trim as they where being spun. It did not eliminate the case bases being bent, but the cases were held into the zip trim better. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/352...ck-case-holder Short of using a different method to trim your cases, the zip trim will work, but take your time and pull the string slowly at the start of any trim to insure the case is in tight before giving it a strong pull. Lee came out with a new cutter and trimmer that works much better than the zip trim and I would recommend using that. I use it for all my 223/5.56 cases. It fits into the press and chamfers the case as well as trimming it. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/717...m-case-trimmer Good luck and stay safe. Jim __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum Last edited by Jim243; November 8, 2015 at 10:21 AM.