Best Case Trimmer? - Page 2

UnkBK · January 6, 2018, 05:42 PM

I use 2 Forster trimmers with 3-way cutters. Trim and inside/outside chamfer in one operation. One is 5.56, the other is 30-06. Both have drill drives.
These are the 2 calibers I load in bulk.

Don Fischer · January 6, 2018, 05:42 PM

Seem's a lot of people anymore want speed from their tools. I've got an RCBS 505, I think that's it. Had it and been using it over 30 yrs. Never failed me.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · January 6, 2018, 06:39 PM

Don't care for the newer gizmo types myself.
I still have a old pacific crank trimmer that doubles as a {applied by hand>force} Primer Seater. So to insure each & every cartridge base has had its {prior die seated primer} pushed into their most forward position available.

I've never suffered the indignity of having a {High} primer jam or misfire or a {leaking hot gas} loose fitting primer during a match or afield. And that's been ongoing positive for well over 50 yrs of my shooting.
As far as I know only the older Pacific & Early Hornady Trimmers had that capability.

ed308 · January 6, 2018, 06:53 PM

I use a Gracey for common calibers like .223/5.56, 6.8, and .308. For my wildcats like 270AR or my 6.5 Creedmoor, I use Hornady trimmer with power adapter. I like speed but accuracy is more important than speed for the Creedmoor so it gets special treatment.

If buying today, Foster, Sinclair or 21st Century is what I would buy.

Mr.RevolverGuy · January 6, 2018, 06:56 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnvzuOBagdM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_p5tY6bcJw&t=12s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATC079gXSvM

I hated case prep until this, and reloading is a calming hobby for me. I think I shoot just to reload

RC20 · January 6, 2018, 08:35 PM

Quote:

In a recent thread, someone mentioned a 3 way trimmer that is purpose built for each caliber. Used in a drill or drill press. I though I bookmarked the website, but obviously had a brain fade and can't find it now.
I can tell you what it's not.
Trim-It II
WFT from Little Crow
Giraud
Wilson
RCBS
Redding

It is only sold on the owners website, no retailer or ebay.

Any ideas? thanks in advance.

I would go with the Gerard if you can't find it.

Its a first class setup. Worth every penny.

As noted, I don't like case prep, if I do my end with good loads I can shoot under 3/8 with the motorized trimmers.

Mr.RevolverGuy · January 6, 2018, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Seem's a lot of people anymore want speed from their tools. I've got an RCBS 505, I think that's it. Had it and been using it over 30 yrs. Never failed me.

Don I do look for speed AND PRECISION. Time is precious and I never seem to have much of it anymore.

jhansman · January 8, 2018, 05:22 PM

Dunno about "best," nor do I understand it. "Best" is whatever suits you. To me, it's a bit like asking who makes the best adjustable wrench. I like Craftsman, but my neighbor buys only Husky. Like others here, I use a RCBS 505 that was given to me; it does the job with no hassles, so I've never gone looking for "better."

offroadmatt · January 8, 2018, 06:44 PM

This is the setup I use. RCBS Trim mate with a lee precision cutter at one station. Drilled/tapped/and fitted with a 8-32 stud i believe maybe it was 10-32 cant remember. Works very well, trims well, and fits nice into the process.

Was fairly easy to make and the cutter lasted about 2000 rounds.

Only tip I have is to slightly grind the base before attempting to drill. The hardening on the outside is almost impossible to drill!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d81l62J1VmI

Marco Califo · January 8, 2018, 06:52 PM

Get a good calipers, and a cartridge gauge. So that you can truly know when (if) you really need to trim. like the Foster set up. You need a "case holder" that looks lika a case gauge, for each cartidge chambering. 7.62 I need to trim. 5.56 need less, if any, trimming.
I do not trust the prep centers that trim based on shoulder. I . Am sure some people use them and like them. I don't like the idea of relying on one variable to adjust another.

RC20 · January 9, 2018, 06:02 PM

I have to agree that "best" phrase is a loose term. But then if you ask that without a definition?

So I will add in, accurate and as fast as possible, I am not one of those re loaders that like bench time, I like to shoot, not load.

I won't say I hate reloading, but it does not give me any kum buy yaes (however that is spelled). So I want to spend my time where it counts in accuracy (again where that is is my opinion)

Off the shoulder trimmers are what I wanted. Accurate and fast.

While I could be wrong (far from the first time) I don't fathom that .005 length is going to make any difference (if its too long yes, but trimmed back to nominal?)

So yes, if you ask me, best trimmer is Gerard then Little Crow/Trim It II

Gerard is tops for its simplicity, exception operation and three way

Little Crow WFT and Trim It II are second place to me as the WFT is not a tri trimmer setup (otherwise it would be 2nd) and Trim It II is too complicated and lacks the precision of Gerard.

More or less I put the WFT and TITII

1. Hunting: WFT, lower cost, a bit of work with a chamfer and deburr not a bit deal

2. Trim It II: In the case that Gerard does not make a Tri Trimmer for and you don't have the Motorize Gerard setup that they make everything for.

Until I ran out of my killer priced Juggernauts, I was shooting 1/4 in groups with Trim it II bullets in the 7.5 x 55 Swiss Savage I built.

I do shoot 3/8 inch groups regularly with the Gerard trimmed brass, often flirt with and do get 1/4 inch groups.

Give me David Tubbs gun and I suspect I could manage 1/4 inch groups all the time.

drain smith · January 9, 2018, 06:56 PM

This coupled with a 13-year-old granddaughter that needs make-up money.

zeke · January 12, 2018, 07:57 AM

First started with a hand crank trimmer, hand cutter for case mouth. Fine with smaller numbers of cases. Then trimmed first large batch of brass, and bought RCBS power trimmer. Very accurate and precise, but took awhile. Then augmented it with RCBS trim mate case prep center, no more hand beveling case mouth. Then updated both with carbide and 3 way cutters.

Recently bought (major investment) Giraud power trimmer for large batches (500-1000) of 308/223. God send as far as effort and time reduction. Maybe not quite as precise, especially if trimming same caliber from different firearms. However it was worth it.

The hand crank trimmers work quite well for small batches, especially with carbide cutter. The next step up off the base power trimmers are real precise for larger batches. For feeding semi auto's/large batch target rounds in quantity, off the shoulder power trimmer saves considerable time/effort.

There is no way I would ever get enough experience with all the differing makes to even guess at "best" of anything.

lucysdad · January 28, 2018, 12:20 AM

the WFT is fast and accurate.

Big Wes · January 28, 2018, 05:32 AM

Giraud Tri-Way here, fast, well built and worth the $$$ It takes the "W" out of work.

m&p45acp10+1 · January 28, 2018, 07:03 PM

I like the Frankford Arsenal Platinum for bottle neck rounds. For large amounts of .223 Rem it is like using an electric pencil sharpener. It also has 3 tool heads. I trim, chamfer, and debur. The last tool head has a primer pocket reamer to remover primer pocket crimps. After a couple of years of using the Lee with a cordless drill it was the best upgrade I could have made.

Straight walled stuff like .30 Carbine, and .45-70 Gov't. I use the Lee with cordless drill. It works just fine for them.

January 6, 2018, 06:56 PM	#30
Mr.RevolverGuy Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 991	CTS Trimmer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnvzuOBagdM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_p5tY6bcJw&t=12s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATC079gXSvM I hated case prep until this, and reloading is a calming hobby for me. I think I shoot just to reload __________________ Mr.Revolverguy http://www.dayattherange.com Firearms Reviewed and Reported On: An unbiased opinion with real world use.

January 8, 2018, 05:22 PM	#33
jhansman Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2007 Posts: 680	Dunno about "best," nor do I understand it. "Best" is whatever suits you. To me, it's a bit like asking who makes the best adjustable wrench. I like Craftsman, but my neighbor buys only Husky. Like others here, I use a RCBS 505 that was given to me; it does the job with no hassles, so I've never gone looking for "better." __________________ Blessed is the man who has nothing to say, and cannot be compelled to say it.

January 8, 2018, 06:52 PM	#35
Marco Califo Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: LA (Greater Los Angeles Area) Posts: 2,598	Get a good calipers, and a cartridge gauge. So that you can truly know when (if) you really need to trim. like the Foster set up. You need a "case holder" that looks lika a case gauge, for each cartidge chambering. 7.62 I need to trim. 5.56 need less, if any, trimming. I do not trust the prep centers that trim based on shoulder. I . Am sure some people use them and like them. I don't like the idea of relying on one variable to adjust another. __________________ ............ Last edited by Marco Califo; January 8, 2018 at 06:57 PM.

January 9, 2018, 06:02 PM	#36
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	I have to agree that "best" phrase is a loose term. But then if you ask that without a definition? So I will add in, accurate and as fast as possible, I am not one of those re loaders that like bench time, I like to shoot, not load. I won't say I hate reloading, but it does not give me any kum buy yaes (however that is spelled). So I want to spend my time where it counts in accuracy (again where that is is my opinion) Off the shoulder trimmers are what I wanted. Accurate and fast. While I could be wrong (far from the first time) I don't fathom that .005 length is going to make any difference (if its too long yes, but trimmed back to nominal?) So yes, if you ask me, best trimmer is Gerard then Little Crow/Trim It II Gerard is tops for its simplicity, exception operation and three way Little Crow WFT and Trim It II are second place to me as the WFT is not a tri trimmer setup (otherwise it would be 2nd) and Trim It II is too complicated and lacks the precision of Gerard. More or less I put the WFT and TITII 1. Hunting: WFT, lower cost, a bit of work with a chamfer and deburr not a bit deal 2. Trim It II: In the case that Gerard does not make a Tri Trimmer for and you don't have the Motorize Gerard setup that they make everything for. Until I ran out of my killer priced Juggernauts, I was shooting 1/4 in groups with Trim it II bullets in the 7.5 x 55 Swiss Savage I built. I do shoot 3/8 inch groups regularly with the Gerard trimmed brass, often flirt with and do get 1/4 inch groups. Give me David Tubbs gun and I suspect I could manage 1/4 inch groups all the time. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

January 28, 2018, 12:20 AM	#39
lucysdad Junior Member Join Date: January 27, 2018 Posts: 1	Worlds Finest Trimmer by little crow gunworks the WFT is fast and accurate.

January 6, 2018, 05:42 PM	#26
UnkBK Member Join Date: February 19, 2012 Posts: 29	I use 2 Forster trimmers with 3-way cutters. Trim and inside/outside chamfer in one operation. One is 5.56, the other is 30-06. Both have drill drives. These are the 2 calibers I load in bulk.

January 6, 2018, 05:42 PM	#27
Don Fischer Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2017 Posts: 1,868	Seem's a lot of people anymore want speed from their tools. I've got an RCBS 505, I think that's it. Had it and been using it over 30 yrs. Never failed me.

January 6, 2018, 06:39 PM	#28
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	Don't care for the newer gizmo types myself. I still have a old pacific crank trimmer that doubles as a {applied by hand>force} Primer Seater. So to insure each & every cartridge base has had its {prior die seated primer} pushed into their most forward position available. I've never suffered the indignity of having a {High} primer jam or misfire or a {leaking hot gas} loose fitting primer during a match or afield. And that's been ongoing positive for well over 50 yrs of my shooting. As far as I know only the older Pacific & Early Hornady Trimmers had that capability.

January 6, 2018, 06:53 PM	#29
ed308 Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2016 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 1,147	I use a Gracey for common calibers like .223/5.56, 6.8, and .308. For my wildcats like 270AR or my 6.5 Creedmoor, I use Hornady trimmer with power adapter. I like speed but accuracy is more important than speed for the Creedmoor so it gets special treatment. If buying today, Foster, Sinclair or 21st Century is what I would buy.

January 8, 2018, 06:44 PM	#34
offroadmatt Member Join Date: January 7, 2018 Posts: 29	This is the setup I use. RCBS Trim mate with a lee precision cutter at one station. Drilled/tapped/and fitted with a 8-32 stud i believe maybe it was 10-32 cant remember. Works very well, trims well, and fits nice into the process. Was fairly easy to make and the cutter lasted about 2000 rounds. Only tip I have is to slightly grind the base before attempting to drill. The hardening on the outside is almost impossible to drill! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d81l62J1VmI

January 9, 2018, 06:56 PM	#37
drain smith Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 2012 Location: south west iowa Posts: 104	This coupled with a 13-year-old granddaughter that needs make-up money.

January 12, 2018, 07:57 AM	#38
zeke Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 1999 Location: NW Wi Posts: 1,671	First started with a hand crank trimmer, hand cutter for case mouth. Fine with smaller numbers of cases. Then trimmed first large batch of brass, and bought RCBS power trimmer. Very accurate and precise, but took awhile. Then augmented it with RCBS trim mate case prep center, no more hand beveling case mouth. Then updated both with carbide and 3 way cutters. Recently bought (major investment) Giraud power trimmer for large batches (500-1000) of 308/223. God send as far as effort and time reduction. Maybe not quite as precise, especially if trimming same caliber from different firearms. However it was worth it. The hand crank trimmers work quite well for small batches, especially with carbide cutter. The next step up off the base power trimmers are real precise for larger batches. For feeding semi auto's/large batch target rounds in quantity, off the shoulder power trimmer saves considerable time/effort. There is no way I would ever get enough experience with all the differing makes to even guess at "best" of anything.

January 28, 2018, 05:32 AM	#40
Big Wes Member Join Date: November 18, 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 45	Giraud Tri-Way here, fast, well built and worth the $$$ It takes the "W" out of work. __________________ " Hollow Points.....From Those Who Care Enough To Send The Very Best"

January 28, 2018, 07:03 PM	#41
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	I like the Frankford Arsenal Platinum for bottle neck rounds. For large amounts of .223 Rem it is like using an electric pencil sharpener. It also has 3 tool heads. I trim, chamfer, and debur. The last tool head has a primer pocket reamer to remover primer pocket crimps. After a couple of years of using the Lee with a cordless drill it was the best upgrade I could have made. Straight walled stuff like .30 Carbine, and .45-70 Gov't. I use the Lee with cordless drill. It works just fine for them. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.