Advice on a case trimmer?

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John C

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I'm just starting to reload rifle cartridges after reloading pistol for about 8 years. Among other things, I need to get a case trimmer. I've never trimmed any of my pistol reloads. I don't want to spend a lot of money.

I will need to trim 8mm mauser, and I also found out that I should start trimming my .32 S&W long cases that I shoot in an auto pistol.

I searched the forums, and saw some good options, like possom hollow. However, they don't make trimmers for oddball calibers.

I checked ebay, and it looks like I can get a forster case trimmer from $18-30. I will probably need to buy additional pilots, etc.

Is there another setup I should look at? Maybe a Lee Zip trim or similar? I have a cordless drill and a drill press, if there's a good way to automate this process.

Thanks!

-John
 
If you want to keep the cost down and still knock out a decent amount of trimmed brass, I'd go with the Lee case length gauges and cutter. Lee does make one for 8 mm and will custom grind one for you.
 
If you use a drill press it's hard to beat the Lee trimmer. Just chuck the cutter and gauge into the drill and move the table so the gauge indexes on a flat surface and you're ready to go.

Good for the 8mm anyway, The .32 S&W might put the cutter too close to the fingers for me. But then, I'm not sure I'd be trimming that one anyway.
 
I like the Lee trimmer where there is a case gauge. I use a battery powered screwdriver as I feel the drill motor is too cumbersome.

I might have to try the drill press gauging off the table.

I also have an L. E. Wilson trimmer for cases that Lee does not have a case gauge.

Generally, handgun cases don't need trimming. But, I suppose there are always exceptions.
 
If you use the Lee cutter and pilot in a drill press....

Be careful with the amount of pressure you put on the tip of the pilot...it will blunt up if you use excessive force....making your cases shorter than planned.
Good thing is... that they are cheap.

Ask me how I know!!

Jimmy K
 
The Lee Zip Trim is GREAT!! I used to make use of my cordless drill, not any more. The Zip Trim makes trimming and chamfering quick and easy. And I think MidwayUSA has them for around $20. They are nothing more than a cheap piece of plastic with a cord, but somebody at Lee gets paid to come up with some really good ideas.
 
The drill press with lee case trimmer method works great. If you trim a lot of cases a small "dimple" can be worn into the cast table however. I have cut a piece from the center of an old circular saw blade and clamp it to the table. It's nice and smooth, harder than the cast table, and doesn't dimple. I noticed my cases were getting shorter as I trimmed when I noticed this. Light pressure is all that's needed.

Also, one of those rubber dipped gloves that provide extra grip help keep the case from spinning in your fingers.

Only problem with the LEE Trimmer is for example, it cuts all .308 cases to 2.005 and I want some cut to 2.810 so I have to use the RCBS Case Trim for that.
 
Thanks for the replies, gentlemen.

I will look into the Lee trim options. It seems like the best value.

The reason, I've heard, that I need to trim .32 S&W Long is that I'm shooting it in a Walther GSP. Unlike revolvers, the straight blowback action is apparently really torquing the cases, leading to stretching. I'm shooting this in Bullseye competition, so accuracy is paramount. I haven't shot through all of my new brass, so I can't confirm any accuracy degradation, but others whose knowledge I trust tell me I need to check case length and trim when necessary.

-John
 
I used a Lee cutter when I first started rifle loading. Nothing at all wrong with it and it was cheap. Later, I received an LE Wilson trimmer for Christmas. Very cool. I use it with a cordless screwdriver for power. It's nice. Not too expensive. I don't know that it does any better than the Lee, but it looks cool.
 
Forster for larger volume and Lee for calibers I load less of.

At the price of Lee lock stud trimmer there is no reason not to have one for each caliber. They are good to have as a backup.
 
If you prefer using hand tools, the lee zip trimmer is great.

Not only can you trim the shell, but while its locked in you can also:

A. Inside Chamfer

B. Outside Chamfer and Debur

Both using lees handy all in one tool, if thats your thing.

I used to ( manually chamfer and debur, before I got my RCBS trim mate... But I still use my Zip Trim :)
 
As the guys point out, probably the first step is to take stock of what you already own. If you intend to do over 50 cases at a sitting, then power assist really helps. Do you own a drill press? Do you own a cordless drill motor?

If so, something that fits into your current drill motor will pay really big dividends, even though it might not be the coolest to start with.

I currently use an ancient Lyman outfitted with a carbide cutter which has been modified to work with my cordless drill. Works like a champ and can be put away when finished.

IMG_4285.png
 
+1 for the Wilson trimmer for rifle cases. They have an optional power adapter too, so you can use a cordless drill with it. While it will do straight wall pistol cases too, it is not the best solution; the case holders work best with tapered cases.

The Lee trimmers work well for pistol brass in small quantities. I would hold off trimming pistol brass until you shoot some and measure it after a few reloads.

Andy
 
I have a newer Lyman universal like what rfwobbly posted, just orange. It works great. I adapted it to fit into my drill press (you can buy a part, but I am cheap), and just lightly clamp it into the vise. The big thing is to not clamp it in tightly. You basically want the vise to stop it from spinning around, it's weight will hold it down. I can't feed cases into it fast enough with the awesomeness of the drill press(for lack of better words). The only downfall I can find is I can't find the new pilots very easy, but I still get square cuts if the pilot is close enough.
 
I've had a few trimmers over the years, but my Forester just keeps on keeping on, and i have no reason to replace it.

DM
 
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