Case trimmer- what to buy and not to buy

Frog4aday said:

I've used the Forster case trimmer and the Lyman case trimmers (with appropriate caliber pilots) and they frustrate the hell out of me. It seems no matter how tight I set the screw to hold a certain trim length, they invariably start cutting cases shorter and shorter. I'm sure it's "me" but I gave up on THAT method.

For me, I now like the Lee Case Trimmer Cutter and Lock Stud setup.
View attachment 137070
I own one for each cartridge I reload for (they are cheap; about $7) and I just chuck it up in my cordless drill and trim every deprimed case to EXACTLY THE SAME LENGTH every time. It works for me.

You buy the CUTTER & LOCK STUD once and use these two parts over and over:
View attachment 137071
Then you buy the shellholder and case length gauge for each cartridge you'll be reloading:
View attachment 137072

Since this is a LONG RANGE forum, many folks on here are long range target shooters and like to let their cases 'grow' a bit, so the LEE system isn't for them. But since you aren't doing the long range target 'thing', the LEE system could be just the ticket for you. I've used it for years and really like the simplicity and consistency.

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You can't beat the lee. Insert the bottom into a cordless drill and sail.

Hard to beat simple and low tech when it comes to case trimming and once you get your rhythm down you can crank them out in just a few seconds each with perfect accuracy.

I would add another comment about the Frankford, and any other trimmer that indexes on the shoulder...

Unless you're running a belted mag (and doing it wrong), IMO, indexing on the shoulder is the datum that is important to trimming. You can get ±0.0005 precision in OAL length with a good trimmer, but frankly, does that matter? If you've trimmed with the primer in, or there's an ejector mark on the case head, you are measuring OAL and not neck length.

With the shoulder indexing trimmers (Frankford), you are trimming the neck relative to the shoulder. You can trim before you bump the shoulders or after. Doesn't matter what OAL is. The distance of the neck from the shoulder datum will be the same, which IMO, is the important variable. Where the neck ends relative to the rifling when the cartridge is seated before BOOM.

A couple of times early on, I saw huge variation in OAL with the Frankford. Got frustrated, and was about to take it out back for the "Old Yeller" treatment, when I realized I had a smidge of primer cratering. Popped the primers out, remeasured, and suddenly all was well.

davewilson said:

I don't care for the Wilson as i feel it has the best chance for error. Way to many chances for tolerance buildup not getting a square cut. Have used the Lee system for quite a few years and find it's simplicity, accuracy and cost unmatched by other trimmers on the market.

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Interesting. How so? I've run countless thousands of cases through one and have never found any issue whatsoever. Maybe you had a bad unit?

While I have used the LE Wilson trimmer for decades without issue I'd have to say that this new trimmer shows a lot of promise.
Its called the worlds finest trimmer and its accurate and fast without too much money. I haven't used it but I've seen other loaders review it etc and I'd say its good enough I'd consider it for sure.

https://www.brownells.com/reloading...y&utm_campaign=itwine&utm_content=100-011-324

Not everyone likes the same flavor of icecream.Get what you like and that works for you and enjoy your reloading ..

Not sure if he is still around but Monadnock Machine Brass Barber will trim, chamfer and debur in one operation.
Haven't tried calling lately but the information was/is - Ray Simard 603-563-8359

I believe it was a service rifle shooter who told me about it many years ago.

Thanks for all of the information I am getting ready to dive into rifle reloading again and I was wondering about case trimming

Heym500 said:

L. E. Wilson

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L.E. Wilson.

Frog4aday said:

I've used the Forster case trimmer and the Lyman case trimmers (with appropriate caliber pilots) and they frustrate the hell out of me. It seems no matter how tight I set the screw to hold a certain trim length, they invariably start cutting cases shorter and shorter. I'm sure it's "me" but I gave up on THAT method.

For me, I now like the Lee Case Trimmer Cutter and Lock Stud setup.
View attachment 137070
I own one for each cartridge I reload for (they are cheap; about $7) and I just chuck it up in my cordless drill and trim every deprimed case to EXACTLY THE SAME LENGTH every time. It works for me.

You buy the CUTTER & LOCK STUD once and use these two parts over and over:
View attachment 137071
Then you buy the shellholder and case length gauge for each cartridge you'll be reloading:
View attachment 137072

Since this is a LONG RANGE forum, many folks on here are long range target shooters and like to let their cases 'grow' a bit, so the LEE system isn't for them. But since you aren't doing the long range target 'thing', the LEE system could be just the ticket for you. I've used it for years and really like the simplicity and consistency.

Click to expand...

I have never had an issue with the stop collar coming loose on the Forsters. I usually make a trim dummy from scrap .30-06 cases using a file type trim die and use that to set up the trim to length. Works for .25-06, 6.5-06, 8mm-06, .338-06 cases too. You might try replacing the Allen head setscrew in the collar with a Torx type so that you can the set screw a tad tighter. Torx screws are a lot more common than they were 25 years ago.

Schnyd112 said:

L.E. Wilson is my favorite I have used. You do have to chamfer and debur with a different tool though.

Click to expand...

They make a stand with it that is very nice. I think its the best one out there and it will probably outlast me. I did notice that the case holders will rust that's the only down fall.

https://www.brownells.com/reloading...y&utm_campaign=itwine&utm_content=749-013-150

I have the rcbs and it does a good job.I bought the Lee quick trim and the dies for each caliber I needed.The Lee is easy to setup and understand.It will debur the inside and outside at the same time you're trimming.Ah,choices.

Frog4aday said:

I've used the Forster case trimmer and the Lyman case trimmers (with appropriate caliber pilots) and they frustrate the hell out of me. It seems no matter how tight I set the screw to hold a certain trim length, they invariably start cutting cases shorter and shorter. I'm sure it's "me" but I gave up on THAT method.

For me, I now like the Lee Case Trimmer Cutter and Lock Stud setup.
View attachment 137070
I own one for each cartridge I reload for (they are cheap; about $7) and I just chuck it up in my cordless drill and trim every deprimed case to EXACTLY THE SAME LENGTH every time. It works for me.

You buy the CUTTER & LOCK STUD once and use these two parts over and over:
View attachment 137071
Then you buy the shellholder and case length gauge for each cartridge you'll be reloading:
View attachment 137072

Since this is a LONG RANGE forum, many folks on here are long range target shooters and like to let their cases 'grow' a bit, so the LEE system isn't for them. But since you aren't doing the long range target 'thing', the LEE system could be just the ticket for you. I've used it for years and really like the simplicity and consistency.

Click to expand...

I like to run my cases right at the cartridge design maximum length in most of my rifles, if individual chamber cut allows that. Nearly all do. I use the Lee Case Trimmer Cutter and Lock Stud setup but, cut shim washers from stainless steel feeler-gauges to sit on top of the case length gauge shoulder at the threaded end, to make the trim length the exact length I want, within 0.001". You have to sandwich the proper thickness shim (feeler gauge) between two steel plates or a homemade die to drill out the center hole without distorting the shim. I use another homemade die to punch out the outer dimension. Works great and you only have to make one shim per cartridge size.

For those of you with the Frankfort trimmer, i have one and could use some advise. I trim after annealing and resizing by bumping the shoulders back .002". My OAL after trimming seems to vary + or - by .002" and no matter what I do nothing comes out exact. Any suggestions as to what could correct this situation.
Second question I had was does anyone have a source on a quality replacement cutter head for this machine other ordering another one from Frankfort. Can Frankfort resharpen these cutter heads?
I don't mean to derail this thread so feel free to PM me.

Vol1975 said:

looking to purchase a case trimmer and looking to see what the general consensus is on what people suggest on using and what to stay away from.
I like the Henderson precision case trimmer aspect but not the price. If it was priced ok I would seriously consider but for the avg guy it's just heavily priced.
I reload fairly heavy but not to the point of people who shoot on a completion level.

Simplicity for use, consistence, and something that will last, along with something that possibly has the ability to do all that is needed on the case would be a must if possible.

Any thoughts and opinions would be good.
Thanks
If this has been talked about lately— forgive

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I'm a little late to this thread but wanted to add my two cents. I have a frankford arsenal trim center and love it, with one large exception. When processing brass from unknown chambers you can get varying overall case length. This trimmer indicates off of the ogive of the case shoulder to the case mouth. If your brass was fired from a loose chamber and had the shoulder blown forward, then you have a problem. I measured the first four or five pieces and cranked out over a thousand with only spot checking here and there. I noticed some variations of .002-.003" but, with this being plinking ammo, wasn't to concerned. When I started loading it on my progressive is where the issue reared it's ugly head with non consistent seating depths. It's took me a bit to first triple check my seating die and crimp die to verify that wasn't where the issue was. When I started to really double check the overall length from my feeder is when I found the discrepancy of my overall varying by .005". With this knowledge I'll have to forgo using this unit except on brass from known chambers I guess.