case triming and lee case trimmers

[roadgrime]

I have the lee 30-06 case trimmer and have managed to confuse myself.

for 30-06 my books show a max case length of 2.494 and a trim length of 2.484 after buying the new lee case trimmer it trimmed my cases to 2.494 i checked it with 2 digital calipers and 1 mechanical and all read 2.494 +/- .001 so is this the way it is supposed to trim it? i could grind down the guide pin to get it 2.484 but is this normal?

also when using trim length do you normaly trim them after each resizing or only when they aproach/exceed the max?

thanks

 

[30Cal]

I often grind the point of the mandrel down to set the trim length. I trim every other time.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Lee case trimmer

Yeah, that trimmed length seems just a bit long. Before modifying your mandrel, you might contact Lee and ask what length they think is correct. If your mandrel is over their specs they'll probably want to replace it for you. I've found them to be very good on the few customer service issues I've had.

BTW, the Lee Zip Trim is quick, cheap, and effective. Their Universal Case Holder that fits on it eliminates having to change holders for each different cartridge you trim.

As to when to trim, you check the cases with your caliper after each firing. With .30-'06, especially if you're just neck-sizing, case stretch usually isn't much of an issue. So you get many firings between trimmings. If you full-length size each time the case can elongate more. Check a few cases from each lot after each firing and you'll know if it's trimming time. You let 'em grow to the published case length, then trim 'em down to the trim-to length.

Frankly, on thinking about it, I can't remember ever trimming a lot of '06 cases more than once. I neck-size 'em, and they get old and tired and the necks split and I scrap 'em, before they grow that much.

BTW, you probably know that after trimming you have to chamfer (bevel) the inside and outside of the case mouth. Lyman makes a nifty kit for that, their "Power Deburr Accessory Set" p/n 7999050, for use with a power screwdriver. Beats the **** out of doing it by hand.

 

[cracked butt]

I chuck the Lee cutting head up in a 1/2 drill held in a vice to power my Lee trimming.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Drill vs. Zip Trim

Cracked Butt--I used to trim cases the same way; use a drill in a vise. Could still do that but I don't. For $16 (I think) you can get a Zip Trim and IMHO, it will put a smile on your face because of the ease of use. I C-clamp the zip trimmer to my reloading bench, put it away when done. Less noisy, no electricity use, don't have to turn drill on & off. Pull the string twice and the case is done. It's just nicer. Also, the universal shell holder beats having to buy a new shell holder when you start on a new cartridge.

Seriously, with the zip trim--find a bud who's got one. And to quote an old ad, "Try it, you'll like it."

 

[rugerman]

Hey Smokey Joe while the case is still in the zip trim you can chamfer it with a quick pull of the handle, one for inside and one for outside. I've had mine for about 4 years now and I wouldn't use anything else. rugerman

 

[Black Snowman]

Not to insult your intelligence or ability to read manuals but make sure you've resized the brass first and punched out the primer. Important to cover the basics in any troubleshooting.

After suddenly realizing how many calibers I needed to trim and not having them all available in the Lee trimmers I ended up getting a Lyman Universal Case Trimmer. Works really well. I got mine from MidwayUSA with the power adapter included (2nd cutter w/ a hex head instead of the handle).

Gives me total control of the length and lets me do crazy things like shorten 10mm brass to fit in my S&W 646. If you trim a lot of differant calibers it's the most cost effective way to go.

 

[Smokey Joe]

D'oh

Rugerman--Yer absoblooming-lutely right! And I never even considered that. Been doing it as a 3-different-step process for lo these many years. Well, even old dogs can learn new tricks.