Hi all. We're fairly new to reloading, so far for pistol only, but want to start reloading for rifle also. For now it will be .223 and .308. I'd like to find a manual rifle case trimmer, that allows you to remove the handle so it can also be hooked up to a drill so we could also use it as a powered model. I have heard some people speak about them, but didn't know what brand/model to get. Thanks for any help in advance...
Rifle case trimmer
- Thread starter stevek
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Dean Williams
Member
This site has the drill powered trimmer you are asking for.
http://tinyurl.com/LeeTrimmer
http://tinyurl.com/LeeTrimmer
JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone
Member
OK, the Lee Zip and the attachments for power trimming are cool if you want to trim exactly to spec using the extra case length guages you'll need per caliber. I personally trim case length to what my barrel chamber will handle. (always the longest that will function reliably, thus trimming the least amount at any reloading of brass.) For this you need something that you can adjust to the desired length. I'm sure the Forster and Redding units do this, but I've been happy with the Lyman hand powered trimmer for years. Now a small conversion is available to use your cordless drill with it.
Take a look here.
Lyman case trimmer & options
I wish there was an inside/outside neck turner/uniformer attachment for this unit. Also note that it doesn't appear that the Zip or Lee attachements will allow you to trim cases if they are already primed. (someone may prove me wrong on that) The Lyman will allow you to trim primed and unprimed brass. No caselength guages to buy, and the collets for most popular calibers are included with the hand trimmer.
If I was looking for a trimmer, hand or power, I'd look at the RCBS trimmer also. There appears to be a optional power drill attachment for it too.
RCBS Case Trimmer
If you look in my gun room. On the benches and shelves you'll see RCBS, Lyman, Dillon, Lee and maybe just a few other brands of reloading tools for specific needs.
-Steve
Take a look here.
Lyman case trimmer & options
I wish there was an inside/outside neck turner/uniformer attachment for this unit. Also note that it doesn't appear that the Zip or Lee attachements will allow you to trim cases if they are already primed. (someone may prove me wrong on that) The Lyman will allow you to trim primed and unprimed brass. No caselength guages to buy, and the collets for most popular calibers are included with the hand trimmer.
If I was looking for a trimmer, hand or power, I'd look at the RCBS trimmer also. There appears to be a optional power drill attachment for it too.
RCBS Case Trimmer
If you look in my gun room. On the benches and shelves you'll see RCBS, Lyman, Dillon, Lee and maybe just a few other brands of reloading tools for specific needs.
-Steve
Last edited:
grsjax
Member
I use both the Lyman Universal trimmer and the Lee trimers. I use the Lee products when I just want a standard trim. If I have something that isn't available from Lee I use the Lyman.
rfwobbly
Member
Make it yourself !!
SteveK -
Great question! I'm currently using an old hand-crank model Lyman Universal Trimmer as JackOfAll suggested. The same trimmer was sold for years by numerous makers and labeled as their own, so you find them used on Ebay under Hornady, RCBS, etc.
Now what I wanted to tell you is that the handle comes off, and on mine someone drove a piece of 1/4 hex key (Allen wrench) into the screw hole for the handle. I set my cordless drill motor on slow speed, chuck up a 1/4 hex nut driver, and turn the shaft of the trimmer. It works great !! And the old Lyman is adjustable for any length in .001" increments. As long as it's lubricated monthly, it can hold an extremely tight tolerance of less than ±.001" in case length.
Now, the secret to making any hand trimmer stable enough to use with a drill motor is to mount the trimmer to a hunk of 1/2 or 3/4" plywood, say 12x12". You can get these free out of the scrap bin at any Home Depot.
The Lyman I have must be 30 years old. I think I'm the 3rd or 4th owner. So there's no reason to spend a lot of money on a new unit. The key to buying used is to insure that it comes with all the guide pins, which should number about 8 or 9. These are the pins that guide the case mouth square onto the cutter, so you need a pin sized to enter the mouth of each cartridge case you trim.
Hope this helps!
SteveK -
Great question! I'm currently using an old hand-crank model Lyman Universal Trimmer as JackOfAll suggested. The same trimmer was sold for years by numerous makers and labeled as their own, so you find them used on Ebay under Hornady, RCBS, etc.
Now what I wanted to tell you is that the handle comes off, and on mine someone drove a piece of 1/4 hex key (Allen wrench) into the screw hole for the handle. I set my cordless drill motor on slow speed, chuck up a 1/4 hex nut driver, and turn the shaft of the trimmer. It works great !! And the old Lyman is adjustable for any length in .001" increments. As long as it's lubricated monthly, it can hold an extremely tight tolerance of less than ±.001" in case length.
Now, the secret to making any hand trimmer stable enough to use with a drill motor is to mount the trimmer to a hunk of 1/2 or 3/4" plywood, say 12x12". You can get these free out of the scrap bin at any Home Depot.
The Lyman I have must be 30 years old. I think I'm the 3rd or 4th owner. So there's no reason to spend a lot of money on a new unit. The key to buying used is to insure that it comes with all the guide pins, which should number about 8 or 9. These are the pins that guide the case mouth square onto the cutter, so you need a pin sized to enter the mouth of each cartridge case you trim.
Hope this helps!
NuJudge
Member
I used the Forster trimmer with drill attachment for many years with no complaints. The RCBS inside and outside chamfers cases if you buy the special cutter head, but it does not come with an adaptor for a drill, it comes with its own motor.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=462271
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=644779
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=481398
The Wilson trimmer is supposed to be the most accurate, but it is probably the slowest.
If you do huge numbers of cases at a time, look at the Gracey and the Giraud trimmers.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=462271
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=644779
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=481398
The Wilson trimmer is supposed to be the most accurate, but it is probably the slowest.
If you do huge numbers of cases at a time, look at the Gracey and the Giraud trimmers.
I have the Forstner handcrank and now have the drill press base. I use both. I don't like the idea of stick a drill on the end of the hand crank, I think it'll wear out a lot faster and the cutter shafts aren't cheap, neither is the base.
You might already know about this but if you get the little hand reamer that does inside and outside. you can chuck the shaft on the one end of the reamer in a drill press, and at least get the inside reamed out. Saves a lot of time if you run a lot of cases. Just keep the drill at the slowest possible speed.
You might already know about this but if you get the little hand reamer that does inside and outside. you can chuck the shaft on the one end of the reamer in a drill press, and at least get the inside reamed out. Saves a lot of time if you run a lot of cases. Just keep the drill at the slowest possible speed.
alanjtc73n
Member
Check out Possum Hollow kwik case trimmer. I've got one in .308 along with their power chuck adapter. Super easy and cheap. Trims based on the datum of the case neck. Case trimmer is $20 and the chuck is $10. Just throw it onto your electric drill and go to town. Just spend a couple minutes adjusting the cutting depth and then you're done. It won't chamfer the neck but a $1.50 tool will fix that. If you're going into mass brass processing, then the other tools are awesome. The Possum Hollow tool will make your hand sore after a couple hundred cases. Less if you spin your drill high speed.
Quickdraw McGraw
Member
I've heard great things about the possum hollow trimmers. I have the chuck but not the trimmer. Everyone is sold out. I emailed possum hollow with no response. Know of anywhere to get one?
Uncle Chan
Member
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I use the Possum Hollow for my 223. The only thing you need to remember is that it does nothing for OAL. It sizes on the neck and shoulder only. So, variances WILL occur. Other than that, I can do a case every 3-5 seconds.
NCsmitty
Member
I've used the Lyman Universal trimmer for many decades. It's all I've needed.
NCsmitty
NCsmitty
BigJakeJ1s
Member
Get the Wilson trimmer and their power adapter. I use mine by hand. Solid steel construction, very accurate and consistent. And not as expensive as most of the other good ones. You can ream primer pockets and case necks, and chamfer insides of necks with it. Case holders are simple to use.
Andy
Andy
alanjtc73n
Member
Uncle Chan - you don't size your brass first? I've always run them through a depriming and full length sizing die before I trim. End product is sized and trimmed to the correct OAL.
Quickdraw - what caliber are you sizing? Lock, stock and barrel has a few in stock.
Quickdraw McGraw
Member
Uncle Chan - you don't size your brass first? I've always run them through a depriming and full length sizing die before I trim. End product is sized and trimmed to the correct OAL.
Got 2,000 Lake City 5.56 that are sized and waitin to be trimmed. Got a redding with power adaper but I want to get a possum hollow. I just checked they are out also. Thanks alanjtc73n. If you think of any other places please let me know.
Got 2,000 Lake City 5.56 that are sized and waitin to be trimmed. Got a redding with power adaper but I want to get a possum hollow. I just checked they are out also. Thanks alanjtc73n. If you think of any other places please let me know.
www.gunstop.com has some Possom Hollow Trimmers in stock.
If you want cheap then get the Lee Case Trimmer
If you want something a speedier....Possom Hollow in a Sinclair Deburring Tool Holder chucked into a drill.
If you want precsion a precision lathe type then Wilson has the best rep. and the Redding 2400 is not shabby either.
If you want a powered trimmer, they Giraud is the best and the Gracey is not even close!
If you want something a speedier....Possom Hollow in a Sinclair Deburring Tool Holder chucked into a drill.
If you want precsion a precision lathe type then Wilson has the best rep. and the Redding 2400 is not shabby either.
If you want a powered trimmer, they Giraud is the best and the Gracey is not even close!
Possum Hollow
+1 for the Possum Hollow trimmer, +1+1 when used with the power adapter!
Just remember that, as stated before, it trims off the shoulder datum just like the most expensive Giraud unit does. You do need to FL size the case prior to trimming.
+1 for the Possum Hollow trimmer, +1+1 when used with the power adapter!
Just remember that, as stated before, it trims off the shoulder datum just like the most expensive Giraud unit does. You do need to FL size the case prior to trimming.
Quickdraw McGraw
Member
45ACPUSER Thanks for the info. Gunstop is currently out of 223. I called and spoke with John. He seems like a nice guy I'll have to give him a call back!
Fat_46
Member
John at Gunstop has forgotten more about reloading than most will ever know!
I use the Possum Hollow for my semi-auto 223 and 308, and have been using an old Pacific for my bolt guns...until the UPS man showed up today. I just finished setting up a Wilson, with the base and "shark fin" from Sinclair.
Just trimmed a few 22-250 to see how it works. Wilson is AMAZING! Fast, repeatable, and very smooth.
I use the Possum Hollow for my semi-auto 223 and 308, and have been using an old Pacific for my bolt guns...until the UPS man showed up today. I just finished setting up a Wilson, with the base and "shark fin" from Sinclair.
Just trimmed a few 22-250 to see how it works. Wilson is AMAZING! Fast, repeatable, and very smooth.
Stevek, you have purchased the Lyman, this will require you to size first then trim. I use a trim/form die, it is a sizer die with the top cut off, it is installed in the press like a sizer die, adjusted for chamber length then secured. When the ram is raised, the case protrudes above the trim die if it needs to be trimmed, If the case protrudes, I use a file to trim, if it is a matter of a few thousands, if is is a matter 1/10 as in .254 thousands I use a hack saw or air craft countersink.
The Gasey power trimmer requires an adapter for each caliber, $50.00 each, when using the Gacey? well it is not for everyone, especially the hard headed.
Dillon has the 1200, again $50.00 for each die that sizes while trimming, plus the cost of the power tool.
A pilot is not used on the three options above, the Lyman you have ordered uses a pilot, after you get some experience and start giving advice please include the dimensions of the bullet and diameter of the pilot, the outside diameter of the pilot must be smaller than the inside diameter of the case neck and bullet OD.
I do not size to 'their' specifications, I size to 'my' specifications, the Gacey uses the shoulder as an index, the case dimensions from the head of the case to the shoulder is an 'included' dimension when determining case length but not a dimension use by someone sizing and trimming, as in 'my' specifications. Again, I have an Enfield-Eddystone M1917 with .016 head space, the .016 (.011 over a go-gage) is added to the distance between the head of the case and shoulder shoulder, 'their' specifications call for a max length of 2.494, if I was hard headed, I would 'trim to' 2.484.
The Dillon uses a sizer die that can be adjusted when using the press mounted trimmer, I went to Harbor Freight with a friend that was looking for a feeler gage, $4.00, I told my friend a good one cost $11.00, the $4.00 came without instructions.
For me, the forming/trim die is a bargin, it serves two functions, it is used to form and trim cases. 8X57 cases cost .35 cents each, after forming 100 cases I am even and will never run out of 8X57 cases as long as I can find 30/06 brass for .05 to .11 cents each.
F. Guffey
F. Guffey
The Gasey power trimmer requires an adapter for each caliber, $50.00 each, when using the Gacey? well it is not for everyone, especially the hard headed.
Dillon has the 1200, again $50.00 for each die that sizes while trimming, plus the cost of the power tool.
A pilot is not used on the three options above, the Lyman you have ordered uses a pilot, after you get some experience and start giving advice please include the dimensions of the bullet and diameter of the pilot, the outside diameter of the pilot must be smaller than the inside diameter of the case neck and bullet OD.
I do not size to 'their' specifications, I size to 'my' specifications, the Gacey uses the shoulder as an index, the case dimensions from the head of the case to the shoulder is an 'included' dimension when determining case length but not a dimension use by someone sizing and trimming, as in 'my' specifications. Again, I have an Enfield-Eddystone M1917 with .016 head space, the .016 (.011 over a go-gage) is added to the distance between the head of the case and shoulder shoulder, 'their' specifications call for a max length of 2.494, if I was hard headed, I would 'trim to' 2.484.
The Dillon uses a sizer die that can be adjusted when using the press mounted trimmer, I went to Harbor Freight with a friend that was looking for a feeler gage, $4.00, I told my friend a good one cost $11.00, the $4.00 came without instructions.
For me, the forming/trim die is a bargin, it serves two functions, it is used to form and trim cases. 8X57 cases cost .35 cents each, after forming 100 cases I am even and will never run out of 8X57 cases as long as I can find 30/06 brass for .05 to .11 cents each.
F. Guffey
F. Guffey
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