which case trimmer?

I have everything I need to start reloading for my 12LRPV (.223) except a case trimmer. Most of my gear is Redding, and I like it just fine. So naturally I looked at their case trimmer first. Midway has the 2400 on sale right now, and thats probably the route I'll take. But I thought I'd ask and see what case trimmers most people preferred. I'm not going to be doing a lot of trimming, so the powered options don't appeal to me.

The RCBS one looks nice and I like the idea of the 3-way cutter head.

I'm probably over thinking this. Its a trimmer...how much to it is there? But like all things there is stuff that sucks and stuff that doesn't. Any input is (as always) greatly appreciated.

I can't wait to start cranking out some rounds and start working up a load my rifle likes. Have some BL-C2 powder to start with and a good supply of CCI 400 primers.

:)

I used a Forester for awhile but then upgraded to the 2400, never looked back ,great trimmer. Take's awhile to get used to it but once you get your numbers on the Micrometer, repeating setting's between Calibers is very quick and repeatable.

I have a RCBS and a Forester, I use the Forester the most and have a RCBS mainly because I can get a 6.5 3 way cutter! Forester has not made a 6.5 3 way yet!

Yes, that 3-way cutter head is pretty slick. Hopefully others will offer something similar on their case trimmers!

Given that the 2400 is on sale right now, and comes with primer pocket cleaners and brushes too, I think that's what I'll do.

Thanks!

Google "possum hollow case trimmer" might be just the item you are looking for. Caliber specific.

I have a small family of Forster trimmers. Why? They are versatile and cheaper to purchase all of the other items needed to do case prep with. One is always set up to outside turn case necks. Others are set up caliber specific.

Simple, easy, accurate, AND less expensive than any other brand out there.

I have used a few diferent case trimmers, and I must say out off them all I would say Wilson is flat out the best.

Forster for me. I have had it a long time, it has never given me a problem. Yes, it takes a little time to swap calibers but were talking minutes.

I have the Possum Hollow for .223. Love the speed and accuracy with the drill attachment. Set it and go. The user holds the case head in hand and feeds the case into the cutter head, which sets the cutting off the shoulder. My son has two ARs, so it can be a lot of work feeding them. The Possum Hollow is up to the task.

I am also a fan of the Lee case trimmer set up. It also uses a drill to speed up production. For a fellow with only a couple of calibers to load for, they are cheaper than buying a lathe type trimmer.

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Originally Posted by 82boy

I have used a few diferent case trimmers, and I must say out off them all I would say Wilson is flat out the best.

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+1 on the Wilson. Only because I have never tried anything else :)

Volume (or speed) isn't one of my primary concerns. Build quality, precision, and the end result are what I care most about.

The Wilson product looks quite nice! I have their deburring tool and its quite good...nice and sharp. It sure would be cheaper than the Redding 2400.

People with the Wilson...how do you have it set up on your bench? Anyone with the Sinclair stand?

http://www.sinclairintl.com/product/...vsfhu=35343934

I like how it can be used to ream primer pockets. Most of the brass I have is once-fired Lake City mil-spec stuff.

Thanks for the input everyone...

I have made my own stand for the Wilson. The Sinclair stand looks like it is AOK. When i was searching for a case trimmer, I was overwhelmingly steered to the Wilson. I like mine a great deal, even though I am just a beginner reloader. Super nice and accurate.

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Originally Posted by boy412

Volume (or speed) isn't one of my primary concerns. Build quality, precision, and the end result are what I care most about.

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That sentence screams Wilson trimmer.

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Originally Posted by boy412

People with the Wilson...how do you have it set up on your bench? Anyone with the Sinclair stand?

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I have a Sinclair stand, with the old style holder. (Not the new shark fin) I have mine held to the bench with 2 c-clamps. I can also take it on the road and secure it to a shooting bench and do my loading at the range.

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Originally Posted by boy412

I like how it can be used to ream primer pockets. Most of the brass I have is once-fired Lake City mil-spec stuff.

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O' it does more than just that. I use the inside reamer to cut out donuts, and to chamfer the end of the neck. You can also uniform primer pockets, chamfer the neck to a standard or VLD angle. You can power it with a drill or screw driver, and it is cheaper than most trimmers. When they designed this thing hundreds of years ago, they got it right. It is like the Kerby sweepers of trimmers. ;)

I've been using my Forster since 1972, no complaints.

I too use a Wilson trimmer with old style Sinclair stand held to the bench with 2 c-clamps. It has served me well for 15 + years and the C clamp setup allows me to free up bench space for other uses. I started out with the RCBS pilot-type trimmer and consider it a waste of money.

Thanks for all of the input...I've struck paydirt! Wilson it is....

:)

Just looked at the Wilson on Sinclair's site since there were so many comments about it. LOOKS like a fine trimmer!

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Originally Posted by boy412

Thanks for all of the input...I've struck paydirt! Wilson it is....
:)

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There is one other trimmer that I would consider if you can find one. CH (Now owned by 4d) use to make a trimmer almost identical to the Wilson. In fact, the parts interchange, and it use to be a common mod to take the CH ends and put them on a Wilson trimmer and this gave move travel area for big shells. The plus to the CH trimmer is it had a rail cut in each side of the unit, and a hood slid on this rail to hold down the shell holder. Just kind of a neat function IMO. You will have to find one used, because they have not been made for some time. If you like E-Bay you can find them on there most of the time. Good luck.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEDWX:IT

I have used a Lyman for many years with no problems. It was a lot cheaper 30 years ago!

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Originally Posted by 82boy

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There is one other trimmer that I would consider if you can find one. CH (Now owned by 4d) use to make a trimmer almost identical to the Wilson. In fact, the parts interchange
[/quote]

Yeah, I have about a half dozen CH holders I use in my Wilson.

A few mods for the Wilson....
http://i47.tinypic.com/5yum0x.jpg

Replace the adjustment lock set screw with a Thumb screw. Put a piece of nylon in the hole to protect the threads.

Add a 1/4" lock collar ( non micrometer models) or something similar on the adjustment screw. It serves two purposes. One, with the thumb screw it can be adjusted without tools and two, making and recording the distance between the collar and adjustment screw boss returning to a previous trim length is easy. You can also make up "Standards" to length, place them between the collar and boss for resetting without measuring.

I also made SR and LR primer pocket uniformers. The green stuff under the one uniformer on the left is a nylon type material for bumping the cartridges in and out of the holders without damage.

It also goes without saying, Wilson or otherwise..keep the cutter sharp. From new and occasionally during use I'll touch the flutes up with a diamond hone. If its sharp it will peel off brass like a banana with less effort and less burrs.

Bill

My Wilson set-up:

[img width=600 height=450]http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f159/ddsr5/MyPicture.jpg[/img]

I mounted it to a tray that I found at Target. The tray is bolted to a piece of white plastic cutting board material for rigidity. Just in front of the trimmer is a wood block with the same cutting board material epoxied to the top, for tapping shells into/out of case holders. I could C-clamp it to the bench, but I usually just set the whole contraption in my lap, and it works great. I mostly did it this way because I was tired of brass shavings ending up everywhere.
-Dan

I would tell you to buy the simplest and easiest to operate and then buy one for each caliber, set it up and leave it alone. Over the years I have accumulated several and I have three set up for the cartridges I shoot the most: .223, 308Win, and one for .300 Win Mag. I know that's a little over the top but, it sure is nice not to have to reset everything everytime you need to trim a bunch.

uj

I'll vote for the Wilson I love mine and it is simple to setup and run with!!!

I ended up with the Sinclair "sharkfin" setup, which I just have c-clamped to my bench. I've processed about 100 cases so far and have got a technique down now.

:)

This is a VERY well engineered piece of kit and I am very happy with it. In fact I've already suggested it to a friend who was also looking for a decent trimmer.

BillPa, I'm not sure I follow you when you described some of the mods you did to your trimmer:

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Add a 1/4" lock collar (non micrometer models) or something similar on the adjustment screw. It serves two purposes. One, with the thumb screw it can be adjusted without tools and two, making and recording the distance between the collar and adjustment screw boss returning to a previous trim length is easy. You can also make up "Standards" to length, place them between the collar and boss for resetting without measuring.

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Originally Posted by boy412

82boy, I'm not sure I follow you when you described some of the mods you did to your trimmer:

Quote:

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Add a 1/4" lock collar (non micrometer models) or something similar on the adjustment screw. It serves two purposes. One, with the thumb screw it can be adjusted without tools and two, making and recording the distance between the collar and adjustment screw boss returning to a previous trim length is easy. You can also make up "Standards" to length, place them between the collar and boss for resetting without measuring.

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I think you mean BillPa not 82boy.

Doh! Sorry about that...

:)

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Originally Posted by boy412

BillPa, I'm not sure I follow you when you described some of the mods you did to your trimmer:

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What has ya befuddled? ;D

You made the right choice! Wilson is hands down the best.

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Originally Posted by LHitchcox

I have the Possum Hollow for .223. Love the speed and accuracy with the drill attachment. Set it and go. The user holds the case head in hand and feeds the case into the cutter head, which sets the cutting off the shoulder. My son has two ARs, so it can be a lot of work feeding them. The Possum Hollow is up to the task.

I am also a fan of the Lee case trimmer set up. It also uses a drill to speed up production. For a fellow with only a couple of calibers to load for, they are cheaper than buying a lathe type trimmer.

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I also have the Possum Hollow cutter. It works muck better and faster than my Lyman. I just chuck it up in my drill press and push the brass into it until it stops cutting. It indexes on the shoulder. I'm now using the X-Die, so I only need it for new brass. It indexes on the shoulder.

I know this is an older post but +4 on the Sinclair trimmer.

One advantage is that the bushing can also be used as a concentricity gage.
This is my trimming set-up with a homemade stand. Beside it is a v-block mounted to a plate, the clamp is just to register the bushing against while turning it. I make my own bushings so I know they are concentric ( the od and id are machined in the same set-up.) The roll stamping on the Wilson bushings throw the reading off.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2.../trimsetup.jpg
Notice the sliding dovetail insert the trimmer is attached to, this is a feature I experimented with while building the bench. There are three places along the length of the bench that accept these inserts and allows various presses, etc. to be set up in different configurations. Nice feature, I wished I had thought it up.


Moses

I wanted to add some details to the Possum Hollow Kwick Trimmer. There is a shaft with the cutter on the end. There are four edges on the cutter. This assembly is inserted into a machined tube. The shaft is positioned in the tube with a set screw. The tube is machined like a chamber in a rifle, it has an internal shoulder. The case is inserted the cutter shaves the case down until the shoulder of the case meets the shoulder in the tube. The tube is long enough to keep the case square.

I bought the adapter which fits over the tube and allows the use of a 1/4" drill. However there was a little wobble, so I don't use the adaptor, I just chuck the tube in my drill press. The diameter is 0.625".

This works great. One evening I trimmed 400 cases. Too bad it doesn't deburr.