Case trimmer - is there a happy medium?

[Fat_46]

I only trim 2 calibers - .223 and .270

The .270 is no big deal - i shoot less than 250 rounds a year of it.

However, the .223 is an entirely different manner. I use a Dillon 550b, and have found that it makes no sense for me to load less than 500 rounds at a sitting - in my mind, the set up takes enough time that I feel like I should be spend at least 2 solid hours pulling the handle.

I currently use a Lee ZipTrim. I know its a bit cheesy, but its accurate, but its also slow on a large volume of cases.

I can't justify a Giraud trimmer. I *might* be able to justify a Dillon if I stick it on my old Rockchucker. I'm still looking at $200+

Is there a "happy medium" case trimmer? Fast, accurate, easy to use, around $100?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Fat_46]

search tool is my friend

I'm going to try the Possum Hollow trimmer and the Kinneman Custom deburring tool/holder.

 

[Idano]

Fat_46 if you save your brass after you shoot which I assume you do then I recommend the RCBS X-Die. You trim once and from then on the brass doesn't stretch when you resize using the X-Die which does a full length resize. If your .270 is a bolt action and you only have one gun in that caliber I would recommend just neck resizing since it works the brass less or you can either get another X-Die in .270

 

[dmftoy1]

Why would you stick the dillon trimmer on your single stage? If you're reloading .223 you stick it where your resize die goes in the 550 and then you resize/trim/prime in that station and voila.

 

[redneck2]

I use an RCBS trimmer and replace the handle/screw with a hex cap screw (metric, got it at Lowe's), then use a power screwdriver or drill. Easy, fast, and cheap. I use it to shorten some wildcat cases 2/10th's

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

FAt 46,

Yes, there is. The RCBS Trim Pro motorized trimmer. Reasonably quick, not overly expensive and you can buy a head that trims to length, plus chamfers the inside and outside of the case mouth. I have one for both 30.06 and .223. Works great. If you buy one head, you have the option of only buying inserts for the head at less than ten bucks apiece.

I reload at about the rate you do for .223 and it works great for me.

Regards,

Dave

 

[cracked butt]

Chuck your Lee trimmer case holder in a cordless drill- Its very fast, hold the knurled part of the case holder in your fingers, depress trigger to tighten, insert case length guage, cut, chamfer, debur, quick wipe with a lead removal cloth, quick wipe with a clean cloth, press reverse button on drill, grasp shell holder, press trigger to unlock case, repeat. It sounds like a lot of steps, but they are all quick steps, and if you lay everything out ahead of time and get your rythym down, you can go through a pile of brass in no time.

The zip trim is a neat gadget, but a cordless drill is muchfaster to operate.

 

[mc223]

I use the Possum Hollow in a benchtop drill press. Three steps : Pick up the brass, Insert in the trimmer and put in a container for trimmed brass.

 

[mmc45414]

I just got done doing about 1500 223s and am thinking about the “Gracey” next time I do this. I was pleased to see there is a version available that has you adding your own power for only about $120.

 

[dcloco]

Lee handheld trimmer (but powered by a 90 degree cordless drill)...fast!

 

[rnovi]

Fat,

I dunno if this helps at all, but in the case of low volume reloading I use a "Trim Die". Screws into the press and when you raise a casing into the die ONLY the part that needs to be trimmed sticks out. I use a metal file to shave down the case to the proper length.

Trim die's cost around $30. Use your own files.

I agree with the other poster who said to use an "X" die - or, for that matter, any other kind of Neck Sizing die. A neck sizer means that you won't have the issue of cases stretching - or at least it slows down the process significantly to where it might not be an issue at all.

I do bulk .45acp loading - to the tune of around 10,000 a year. I use a trim die with my Hornady Pro-Jector press (18 years old) in second die position. I can visually inspect each case mouth as it rotates through the press - anything that sticks out I file off (takes 10 seconds or so) and then continue the process. Next stage bells the mouth.

I don't bother chamfering the cases - doesn't seem to make any accuracy difference to me at 15 yards. Between the bullet insertion and taper crimping (roll crimped on the .38 specs/.357's) the chamfering seems needles.

I don't know how well it would work on your press - this kinda requires a 5-stage press to work on pistol rounds, or a 4 stage for rifle.