Forster Original vs Hornady Cam Lock Trimmer

[laanguiano]

So I bought a Forster Trimmer and the first 20 rounds were cut the exact Trim to Length, then the next got shorter and shorter from 1.75 to 1.74 Very frustrating, and all the set screws are very tight.

Now Im wondering why so many people like the Forster, and Im thinking of going with the Hornady Cam Lock Trimmer since it doesnt use a collet that can decrease the Trim Length based on how tight you lock in with the collet.

Any use the Hornady? Anyone have issues like myself with the Forster>

 

[rcmodel]

No.

I have used a Herters copy of the Forster for going on 50 years.
The collet system works fine.

Perhaps yours just needs a good cleaning and lube to reduce collet & thread friction and insure consistent locking.

The only problem I have ever had with mine through the years was due to improper maintenance on my part.

rc

 

[Clark]

I can get very consistent trim lengths with either my very old Forster or my new Forster.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

I have not used a Forster, but as I understand it, you need to slip the cartridge into the collet, insert the pilot into the neck, and THEN bottom the case in the collet and tighten the collet.

I use an L.E. Wilson trimmer and highly recommend it.

Andy

 

[Walkalong]

The Forster is a great trimmer.

 

[NuJudge]

I used a Forster for 20+ years with very little difficulty. I wonder if you are tightening the collet too tight, and the collet is taking a 'set', and not letting the cartridge case head back to its seat in the collet? As mentioned above, there are some lube points that need lubing on the Forster.

My only complaint about the Forster is that the one I got about 1980 had really bad quality set screws.

Get the attachment that allows you to power it with a drill:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=644779

 

[qajaq59]

I've had mine since the early 70s and never had that problem. Give the factory a call. They were helpful when I called about the drill attachment.

 

[dmazur]

I use the Hornady trimmer and find it is very easy to use, and repeatable. You use a standard Hornady shell holder at the "grab" end, and pilots at the other end. As long as you insert the brass onto the pilot before camming to tighten, things work great. I really like the "fine tune" feature...coarse length with the left end clamp, fine length with the collar on the cutter end.

No experience with the Forster, so you'll have to rely on the other replies for insight on that.

 

[b78-22250]

I have used the lee hand trimmer, hornady,and the redding trimmers. None even come close to the LE Wilson trimmer.