Best way to trim cases

[Bowfishrp]

I picked up a Lee Zip Trim last month and they works fine for large diameter cases like 44mag and 308. However, I started working with 223 on it and I simply cannot get it tight enough. I load the case and try to get it as tight as possible and it ALWAYS pops back out of center. Normally I have to tighten twice per case and since I have over 1000 cases to do....

So I am looking for a better method or tool to trim 223 and other skinny cases. Is it just going out and getting a RCBS Trim Pro or something else. It does not need to be powered, I can crank, I just want the case to stay where I place it without making my fingers go numb.

 

[ranger335v]

A simple method to trim that much brass is a file trim die. It's easier than any hand powered rotary trimmer and inexpensive too.

 

[oneeyesnipe]

I Use The Same Method On My 223 Brass Make Sure The Case Is Right Up Against The Closed Part That Holds The Case And When You Put The Cutter In The Case If You Are Not Straight Or Up Or Down With Your Cutter It Will Cause It To Come Out Try To Keep The Cutter As Straight As Possible With Case. Since I Found This Out And Corrected The Way The Cutter Is In Line With Case I Have Had No Problems

 

[JoeHatley]

A $7 Lee hand trimmer, chucked into a variable speed drill. Works well and is quite speedy.

Good Luck...

Joe

 

[Slamfire]

The best way to trim rifle cases is with a Giraud. http://www.giraudtool.com/prod02.htm

Its a bit pricey.

I used to use the Lee case trimmer. As stated before, it works with an electric drill.

Why on earth are you trimming 44 Mag cases? In time, you will stop trimming straight wall pistol cases.

 

[TheFrenchCanadian]

A Lee hand trimmer, chucked into a drill press, set to turn at minimum speed. Works even better than using a hand drill!

TFC

 

[rino451]

Giraud +1000000000000

 

[RustyFN]

A $7 Lee hand trimmer, chucked into a variable speed drill. Works well and is quite speedy.

This is the same thing I do. Works good and is pretty fast.

Giraud +1000000000000

This would be a good trimmer also if you have $500 laying around that you don't know what to do with.
Rusty

 

[ocabj]

This would be a good trimmer also if you have $500 laying around that you don't know what to do with.

It's not a splurge item. It's definitely a worthwhile tool.

My personal review: http://www.inlandshooters.net/index.php?contentid=42

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGYLmHvKVd0

It saves a lot of time in case prep because it not only trims, but it chamfers and deburs the inside and outside parts of the case neck all in a single step. It basically cuts your trimming/chamfering/deburring to at least 1/3rd the time it normally would.

I shoot high volume of 223 and the Giraud is the reason I spend less time in the garage reloading while still maintaining a good shooting regimen for High Power Rifle.

 

[disneyd]

Ocabj, how do you set the trim to length on that thing? Does it space off the neck/shoulder area?

Does it work for straight walled cases?

Thanks

 

[Lone_Gunman]

It spaces off the shoulder.

What straight walled cases are you trying to trim? I have never trimmed any.

 

[ocabj]

It's set off the shoulder. No, as far as I know, it won't work for straight wall.

 

[scrat]

Giraud +1000000000000

totally agree but that price is way up there.

 

[RustyFN]

It's not a splurge item. It's definitely a worthwhile tool

ocabj I didn't mean to make it sound like it was. From everything I have read it probably is the best trimmer out there. But at that price I doubt I will ever see one on my bench.
Rusty

 

[koja48]

Giraud is a GREAT tool, but I use a Forster . . . takes longer, I get exercise & I can spend the bigger bucks on something I want more.

 

[ocabj]

I actually have three trimmers. I have the RCBS Trim Pro which came with my RCBS kit. It works fine for quick trimming, but it's not very good at getting a squared, trimmed neck. So I bought the LE Wilson with Sinclair clamp mount for my bolt guns. The Wilson is an awesome trimmer, but is slower to use than the RCBS Trim Pro because of the design of the case holder (but the case holder is the reason why the trimming is extremely square and consistent).

But after I started shooting High Power competitively, I realized I needed a faster trimming solution, hence the Giraud.