Sell Me On A Case Trimmer

[Sheltowee]

Need to pick up a new rifle brass trimmer and would like to hear what y'all love/hate about your current setup. I'll be trimming .338-06, .308, 6.5 Creed, 25-7 PRC, 25-6.5 PRC, .257 Roberts Ackley, maybe some .223.

I had a Hornady Cam Lock trimmer in the distant past but lost it in the move. I didn't find it to be super user-friendly. I won't be trimming a ton in terms of volume, so I don't need a high end commercial grade trimmer. The LE Wilson and Little Crows seem pretty interesting to me but I'm open to suggestion.

What say ye?

 

[Elktrack]

I’m happy with the RCBS Pro trim-2 power case trimmer. Easy to set up, maintains “zero “ and makes trimming so much easier and faster. I used manual trimmers for far too long because I was too cheap to buy a power trimmer. I’ll never go back. I’ve never used the little crow. By the time you figure out all the accessories and what not I think a guy is money ahead just to get the RCBS set up and be done with it. You can trim everything you have and whatever you may want to in the future.

 

[bowhuntmontana]

I can't speak to personal experience yet, but the Hornady 3-in-1 Power Case Trimmer is on my wish list. Especially if you are getting into some volume reloading.

 

[rideold]

I'm good with my RCBS manual trimmer. I don't load more than 100 and normally less. I use it for 6.5CM and 30-06. I like that it is simple. I don't like setting it up each time I change cases. It's kind of fussy.

 

[kodiakisland]

Pretty old school here. Individual Lee case trimmers and a RCBS manual.

 

[marksjeep]

I have a Wilson/Sinclair. It's easy, fast, and precise; but spendy for a manual trimmer.

 

[Cousin Basil]

My RCBS Manual Trim pro works well and is easy to add power via a drill attachment. However, I prefer the Frankford arsenal universal trimmer with a drill. Easy to set up and you can really do a lot quickly. If you want all in one, check out the powered Lyman Brass smith Xpress.

 

[Potsie]

I have a Frankfurt Arsenal power set up. It’s finicky to get adjusted, but nice once it’s there.

Anything is an improvement over the Lyman manual unit I upgraded from.

 

[Sheltowee]

I have a Frankfurt Arsenal power set up. It’s finicky to get adjusted, but nice once it’s there.

Anything is an improvement over the Lyman manual unit I upgraded from.

Is it the Platinum Series Case Prep and Trim Center? How difficult is it to get dialed?
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012719754?pid=628405#

 

[Jbotto]

I have a Lee lock stud/cutter set up for everything I reload for. Even had them make one for my .338-06.

Once the case is in the shellholder. I trim, and then chamfer/debur the case mouth. It’s not the fastest system, but it works pretty well when the shellholder is chucked in a drill.

 

[Dukeball33]

I think the new Henderson... I mean Hornady, is the answer if you don't want manual. That said, I have the old Forster and seems to work fine, could be faster with electric drill adaptor

 

[Potsie]

Is it the Platinum Series Case Prep and Trim Center? How difficult is it to get dialed?
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012719754?pid=628405#

Yes.

The threads on the collet for the cutter are pretty course, so really dialing in your neck length takes multiple trial and errors to get right. Plus the collet that sits against the shoulder is plastic, for whatever that’s worth.

But figure that every time you switch cases you’ll spend 3 - 5 brass getting the neck length dialed in.

 

[Mallardsx2]

I welded this up yesterday because one online costs $20.

Couple whacks with a hammer to make it run true and it works great.

 

[millerkiller77]

Henderson really impressed me with the accuracy and repeatability. +/-.0005 is the norm I've experienced across many calibers, inside chamfer, outside chamfer, and trim to length in one operation.

 

[44hunter45]

I have two Hornday Camlock trimmers for small runs. I have often said it it the only piece of Hornady gear I will use.

If I want to do a big pile of brass I bring out the Forster Power Case Trimmer for the drill press.

 

[antelopedundee]

When needed I use the Forster manual trimmer. The worst was knocking .270Win cases down to .06 length otherwise it's fine. While it may disrupt your case count I usually save a new case of the proper length 2.494 inches to use as a gauge to set it up. One .30-06 case will work for ANY .06 based case.

 

[morgaj1]

I have a Wilson/Sinclair. It's easy, fast, and precise; but spendy for a manual trimmer.

^^^This

 

[dcreiss]

I use a Lee quick trim for 243, 30-06, 7-HT, 6.5 PRC, and 300WSM. I am pretty simple and enjoy the hands on processing in the press.

 

[Robert N]

Don’t forget the useful Trim Die’s…I’ve had great success with them. I also have a 35 year old Hornady case trimmer (like a mini lathe) that I connected to a drill. Both work fine but I find the Trim dies to be a little more precise.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I couldn't be convinced to go back to anything where a guy has to trim, chamfer, debur in different steps. I have the giraud bench trimmer which is a great option but expensive.

The Forster trimmer with 3-in-1 (trim/chamfer/debur) cutters and a drill adaptor works but by the time you buy 5 different 3-in-1 heads you're probably close enough in cost to justify the new henderson style trimmer from hornady.