I hate trimming, chamfering, and deburring

[Lone_Gunman]

I really hate these steps when reloading rifle cartridges.

Currently I am using a Lyman powered trimmer and a RCBS hand chamfer/debur tool.

I plan to reload at most 3,000 rifle cartridges in the next year. Is there a more efficient way to trim, chamfer and debur, that won't be so expensive as to make reloading uneconomical?

 

[RustyFN]

I use the Lee trimmer for 223. It has a lock stud to put the case in and lock it down, very easy just a quarter turn. I put it in a battery drill and trim, then chamfer and debur using the drill to do the work. Seems to be quick and easy for me. All the parts cost around $10.
Rusty

 

[Slamfire]

If you are willing to spend $$$ to save time, then there are options for you.

The Gracey trimmer: http://www.matchprep.com/trimmer.htm

This was the Cat's Meow. I have one, now it is set up for .223 only. It takes a long time to change the cutter head from, lets say, .223 to 308. So you end up keeping it in the caliber you use most often.

http://www.giraudtool.com/prod02.htm

This is now the Cat's Meow. I have one, it is set up for my 30 caliber match ammunition. I purchased a Giraud before he made some product improvements. It is the quickest trimmer out there. And it ain't cheap.

I used to spend entire Base Ball World series trimming, deburring, 700 30-06 cases. Now with these trimmers, a case is completely trimmed and deburred in the time it takes to sharpen a pencil.

Get some!!

 

[ocabj]

Giraud makes trimming, chamfering, and deburring one step.

My personal review:

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

 

[dcloco]

Or buy an RCBS 3 way cutter and one of their case trimmers.

I use the Lee style and the Possum Hollow (search on the web - Kinneman's have them - VERY fast).

But, you still have to inside/outside chamfer.

 

[Idano]

Possum Hollow Kwick Case trimmer and RCBS X-Dies Another Option to Consider

Lone_Gunman.

Both SlamFire1 and ocabj are correct that either the Gracey or the Giraud make short work of trimming brass. Unfortunately both are very expensive, however, I believe I have found the next best option under $50. It's called the Possum Hollow Kwick Case trimmer ($20), a Sinclair power adapter ($14), and a RCBS Deburring tool ($11). The Possum Hollow Kwick Case trimmer uses the neck and shoulder datum to trim the case to the correct Lent just like the Gracey and the Giraud, but it doesn't deburr or chamfer the case so that is why you need the RCBS Deburring tool which also fits in the Sinclair power adapter. I can trim, deburr, and chamfer 1,000 rounds in just over an hour. Also if you will use the RCBS X-Die to full length resize instead of a standard full length die you will only need to trim your brass once, before you ever run it through the X-Die. The mandrel in the X-Die is designed so that it doesn't stretch your during resizing so you never have to trim the brass again- ever! If you have the money to spend or you process thousands of rounds of brass a month then buy either Gracey or the Giraud. However, if you are on a budget or would rather spend the $365 for something else consider the Possum Hollow Kwick Case trimmer. I maintain a 5,000 round inventory for my AR and since I have switched to X-Dies for full length resizing I only trim new brass I brass buzzard at the range or buy to add to my inventory which isn't much since I am on my 10th reload on some of my brass and none of it has grown to it's maximum length or split. occasionally I will have to toss case into the scrap barrel because the primer pocket gets enlarged.

 

[P0832177]

Get the Giruad! You will never regret it! You can process about 1K cases an hour once you are set. There are less expensive options, but you will have the best there is in the Giraud!

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Another option is the RCBS automated case trimmer. You can buy heads for it that do all those operations in one step. But were I spending that much, I'd go ahead and go for a Giraud.

Regards,

DAve

 

[BigSoundRacing]

If time is important to you or you are doing high volume, then get the Giruad!

I have one setup for .308 since I have to full size the case each time I reload, the new DSA SA58 FAL is fun to shoot.

No regrets.

Be safe, BSR

 

[Slamfire]

I have the "automated" RCBS case trimmer. It is slow. The three way case trimmer heads are expensive, like $35.00 a pop.

However, it is faster than a hand trimmer, and I use it on the odd ball stuff. That is everything that is not .223, 308, 30-06. "Normality" is a small universe for me..

 

[Idano]

BigSoundRacing,

Just my 0.02 but if you would full length resize with an X-Die you would never have to trim any of existing brass again - guaranteed. I am strong believer in using the RCBS X-Dies for full length resizing since it eliminates the need for future trimming and I believe it helps extend the life of the brass since it is not being stretched.

 

[Lupara]

Simple solution: scrap your brass and get a truckload of Lapua. After initial trimming all mine have seen is the tumbler and the necksizing die - for 25 reloading cycles now.