Help with Lee trimmer

[Mals9]

I am new to reloading and this is my first attempt at case sizing. I have a Lee case length gauge that screws into the Lee case trimmer. If I put the case in the case holder with the lock stud as shown here the pin on the end of the gauge extends beyond the base of the case and bottoms out on the shell holder and will not allow me to trim down to 2.484" as shown on the Lyman book for the 30-06. I can trim down to 2.494" with the shell holder in place which is the maximum case dimension. Some of my Greek HXP brass is currently at 2.489" and I would like to trim all the cases to the same length. Do I need to remove some material from the end of the pin to get to my desired case length or am I missing something here.
Thanks

Mals

 

[jerkface11]

Sounds like your trimmer pilot trims to the max length for some reason. Just take some material off the pin.

 

[JohnM]

I just went and looked at some of my old Lee case trimmers.
You might want to look carefully and make sure your pilot is bottoming fully on the cutter.

 

[Mals9]

I have the pilot bottomed out on the cutter and it took quite a bit of effort to get to to that position. I had to hold the gauge with a pair of pliers in order to screw it in all the way, don't worry I wrapped the gauge with a heavy piece of rubber to keep from marring it.

mals

 

[JohnM]

One of mine had some bad thread, pilot/cutter, I don't remember any more.
I don't think it was .010" off spec though.
I think I'd want to mike some other pilots.
Just doesn't sound right that Lee's QC could let some get by that far off.

PS Oh yeah, I guess you've checked and made sure you have the correct shell holder on?

 

[Mals9]

I can take some measurements if anyone has one to compare against.

Mals

 

[amlevin]

Just take a sharpening stone to the tip of the pilot and take enough material off to have it trim the case to the length you desire. Usually people complain about the Lee Pilots being too short for the case length they desire.

 

[RustyFN]

Sounds like your length gauge isn't screwed in all the way.

 

[Mals9]

The gauge is tight against the cutter. I don't mind stoning off the tip, just wasn't sure if this is "normal".

Mals

 

[richie]

I had just the opposite problem with my 30-06 sizing pin, when screwed in tight to the cutter, it took off to much brass. I found a small flat washer that was the same dia. of the shaft that fit perfect, between the sizing pin and cutter, now it cuts all my brass to the proper size.

 

[flashhole]

I've stoned a few pins shorter. I like to use fine emery paper when shortening the pin because it is not as aggressive as a grinder wheel.

Is it normal? Just depends on what you're after.

 

[Mals9]

All I want is to get the cutter down to 2.488" so I trim all my Greek HXP to the same length each time.

Mals

 

[243winxb]

2.494" or under is Normal. There is no set trim length you will get with the Lee. Most will trim some where between Maximum & Minimum.