RCBS or Lyman case trimmer?

Toss a coin and buy the one you like better. Lyman kit tends to be less expensive than RCBS kit. Just don't forget that bottle necked rifle cases must be chamfered and deburred.

I've used the RCBS but not the Lyman so I can tell you the RCBS works great but I can't tell you anything about the Lyman. Good reviews are a help but it's you that will have to use the tool so if you can find someone who has a Lyman, give it a try before you buy. You won't go wrong with the RCBS from my experiance.

Neither one. Buy a Forster. The best hand trimmer there is.

The RCBS uses shellholders. The Lyman uses a chuck. The RCBS should give better case alignment.

The newer RCBS with the intrerchangable shell plates is easy to set up and very fast.

You can make a stud that takes the place of the crank and use a small drill to semi-automate the system and it really speeds up the process.

If you plan on shooting .45 Colt , make sure to order the shell plate as it does not come with the set, most all other cal. are covered.

You can also buy the inside outside deburr and chamfer fixture and save another step it does 3 steps in one, they also have a neck thickness turner, if you shoot a match chamber rifle.

Have owned and used the Lyman case trimmer for over 30 years. I am completely satisfied with it even though I 've needed to replace the cutting head three times. Now have a carbide cutting head and am good for another 30 years.

"The RCBS uses shellholders. The Lyman uses a chuck. The RCBS should give better case alignment. "

I found the reverse to be true. Lyman's universal chuck is very quick and easy to use and it firmly indexes the case head hard against a sturdy steel stud. Anyone getting length variations is not using it correctly/consistantly.

I've had the Lyman case trimmer for many years, and have found it to be accurate and reliable. I have not had the need to try anything else.



NCsmitty

I've had a Lyman Universal Power case Trimmer for about 30 years---it works great.
Today it is a lot priccy$$$$$$$$

ranger335v said:

"The RCBS uses shellholders. The Lyman uses a chuck. The RCBS should give better case alignment. "

I found the reverse to be true. Lyman's universal chuck is very quick and easy to use and it firmly indexes the case head hard against a sturdy steel stud. Anyone getting length variations is not using it correctly/consistantly.

Click to expand...

Same here.......altho, I've found I get my best results when I tighten the chuck after inserting the pilot into the case.

nevermind

Most trimmers that grip the case head/rim and use a neck pilot work best when you insert the neck pilot before you tighten the grip on the case head/rim.

I like the Wilson best. It is simple, dead nuts accurate and reliable.

Andy

I bought a Lyman and I think its terrible. I bought a Forster and its 10x the trimmer

Lyman hand manual trimmer works fine for me.

I've got a Lyman that I've used for years. I have bought a Redding Model 2400 case trimmer, a couple of months ago, for the micrometer. I now use the Lyman for pistol cases and the Redding for bottleneck rifle cases. Not familiar with the RCBS trimmer. Which every one that you get, buy an extra set of cutters. You'll need them sooner or later.

Gasitman said:

I bought the RCBS today, will mount it up tomorrow and try to trim some brass. I need to re-read the instructions, I am a bit confused on the 2 lock nuts it has on it.

Click to expand...

What?! Before you heard from all 10,000 of us? Impatient aren't we? You'll like it fine. It's nearly as good as a Forster with the 3/way cutter attached.

The RCBS with the 3-way cutter should be fine. Even better if you get the power adapter.

I struggled with a lathe type trimmer (Hornady) and got fed up with the chamfering that was required. That was still a tedious, hand-fatiguing operation.

After a couple thousand cases, I got a Giraud. ( )

Now if I'd had a 3-way cutter, I may have had more patience.

I've been waiting for my 3/way trimmer to come in for 2 months. Man I can't wait.

I use 3 way cutters on everything but pistol brass. Once you get one, you will never go back. I now trim brass after every firing because it is just so simple and easy. I trim while I am dispensing powder, priming and seating the bullet. It works like clock work and keeps a quick pace up.

The RCBS is tops in my book.