Lee Case Length Gauge

This one.




Have used it with two other calibers with good results, but not this time. Instructions are both brief and incomplete......but design is such that the stud or spindle screws into the cutter base. The case then mounts into a shell holder, which if fitted to an electric drill which spins it. Spindle is inserted into the case. What I though was the depth control isn't....at least not on this one. I thought it was the small pin that sticks through the flash hole to ride on shell holder base. That would set the overall length, as it can't go any further in. This one is rubbing on the tapered shoulder of the spindle...inside the case.

SAMMI spec for max case length for the 6mm Rem is 2.233. With this tool, you are supposed to be able to trim that back to 2.213 or .020 below max....also a SAMMI spec. The screw on the length gauge spindle screws into the cutter base. It is a collet type slotted screw that begins to tension up as it begins to bottom out. Full bottom out would appear to be the 2.213 length. Screw it out a bit, and you can get to the SAMMI max. Neat design if it works.

This one......when bottomed out..........will only trim the cases to 2.235........or .002 over max.

For those of you who understand how this is supposed to work.......what is the controlling depth adjustment? Is it supposed to be that pin on the end that pokes through the flash hole? Is so, this one is bad. I sanded the tip of the pin down some and nothing changed.

Yes.....shaft appears be too long......so bottoms out on the web inside the case. Had concluded it had to be the pin.......as depth of web is not constant.

Since they run $6, have decided to get a replacement. If that one is also bad.......may move up to a better trimmer.........like one of the mini lathes.

It is too short........because I was attempting to "adjust" it by sanding down the tip. A couple strokes on some sandpaper......measure......no change. So did it again. By the time I realized what I had done, it was that short. It was then I realized the bevel on the shaft was what it was rubbing on.

BTW, that gauge also screws in and out of the cutter base. Unless it is is screwed in deep enough, it does not trim any case. It was screwed all the way in until it stopped. So have concluded it was not right from the get go. Have another one on order to try again.

For a low volume operation like mine, these seem easy enough to use and effective. And at $6 per caliber, pretty cheap. But not if it's off.

OK, new replacement arrived. As near as I can tell, it is right. With case mounted in the chuck.....it does not cut. If spindle is inserted into the case and turned by hand, it does some light cutting.

So new question is what is the lifespan of the cutter? Each caliber has it's own landing place.....so point where each caliber contacts cutters moves in and out with caliber. This cutter having been used on 30 caliber, 270 and 243......but I doubt it has had 100 pieces of brass run through on the 243/6mm area. But I tried a piece of 30-06 brass on the bare cutter and it was cutting. 6mm wasn't. Do they wear out that fast?

BTW, have something similar going on with an RCBS tool used to cut primer crimp out of LC brass. Less than 100 rounds.......and it no longer cuts.

Mystery solved. Reason cutter wasn't cutting is both humorous........and troubling. Drill was turning backwards.

Humorous that I missed something so obvious. Troubling......that I missed something so obvious.

BTW, although it is now working.......does not appear to be working as intended. With the case gauge stem screwed in all the way until it comes to rest on the cutter blades...........the trimmed case measures 2.231.......or only .002 below max of 2.233.

As per SAMMI specs......min case length can be 2.213.........or 0.020 below max. Instructions suggest this cutter will go that far. Presumably you would get to that be screwing stem all the way in to stop.

Seems I ran into something similar when trimming 270 win cases. Am I still doing something wrong?

After posting, went to the shop and pulled out the first stem.....the one I had sanded down the tip. Pulled out some sized brass....didn't need to be trimmed as it was good as was, but wanted it for a test. Chucked up the shorter stem and it started cutting. Took a once fired case from 2.225 to 2.220 in short order.

So it appears my first instinct was right. As it came from the package, the spacing of this particular caliber of trim gauge was made to barely trim a case back to the SAMMI max. That is when it is screwed all the way in until it comes to rest against cutter blades. Screwing it out any at all will not trim a case back to SAMMI max. The stem where I sanded down the tip a bit keeps going.

To adjust the one I sanded the tip down to where I want it, all I would have to do is screw it out until it stops cutting at the length I want. Since the threaded end of the stem is split.....and threads into a collate type receiver on the cutter......it stays put where you set it.