Lee case trimmer pilot problem

Pliers? I have about 5 of these and hand tighten them. If the threads get dirty or scuffed then I clean them up a bit.

As of yet, I haven't had issue with too short.

Can you take a caliper to them and compare to SAAMI spec?

Put Blue Lock-Tight on the depth-stop pilot and hand screw it into the cutter while trimming and measuring cases until you get the trim length right.
Then let the Lock-Tight cure overnight.

If you screw it in with pliers, it may cut too short.
If you don't, the loose threads will wear out and cut progressivly shorter over time.

Trust me, I learned the hard way with a .223 trimmer.

rcmodel

I have been having a similar issue. My .357 mag pilot will screw all the way in, but then I find it trimming maybe .005" off some cases that were once-fired with mild factory loads. Should I expect a .357 mag case to stretch that much at intermediate (say 400-450 ft-lbs) type loads?

I also have a .223 pilot that I can't get to screw in all the way. I guess I'll try pliers. Can anyone post a pic of how far the pilot is screwed into the cutter when you are finding it all trims to the correct length?

BTW, I will be getting a precision caliper shortly.

Can anyone post a pic of how far the pilot is screwed into the cutter when you are finding it all trims to the correct length?

Click to expand...

There is no way to "eyeball" any case trimmer and tell how short or long it will trim a case.

Even if all Lee trimmers were exactly the same, which they most certainly are not, it just won't work.

The only way to set them is by trimming cases and measuring them with a dial caliper until you get it right.

rcmodel

One of those Frankford Arsenal digital calipers are nice and affordable.
I think 20$ if you shop around.

Yep i agree on the loctite calipers. I dont lock tite mine though. Years ago i set mine to the proper depth then usd a scribe on both pieces. That and a small scribe on the threads. Now when i go screw it on i screw it to where the scribes all match. Then trim a case and measure. So far it has worked everytime.