J23
Member
So about three weeks ago I ordered a Redding 2400 Trimmer from MidwayUSA. I just wanted to share some thoughts with youall...
Pros...
*It is a solid design made of steel/iron, and obviously a quality product, as are most Redding Products.
*As advertised, it makes extremly square cuts. Previously I was using a Lyman and thought it was extremely fast, cases would be out of square as much as .002" with for me, an extremly anal, fanatical accuracy freak, it was simply unacceptable.
*The micrometer, again as advertised, enables you to make extremly precise length adjustments which are absoultely returnable (just remember to write the micrometer adjustment down!). Also, if you move the micrometer adjustment .001", indeed you achieve a .001" adjustment.
Cons...
*It's pricey, but I am one of those 'men of principle' who dont mind paying for something, so long as it WORKS.
*My only real complaint is the collet system.
:banghead:
Im sorry, but it sucks. Its far to complicated for my taste and though I would say not enough thought was put into it, Id say more than likely, too much thought was put into it, obviously by someone who is an engineering genious who has never reloaded in his or her life. Maybe I am used to my Lyman, where I simply drop the case in a standard shellholder and tighten a t-handle on the end. Done. Trim. The Redding is a bit ridiculous in my opinion, and could be a lot simplier. Instead of using a separate collet for each class of cartridge, it uses a 'universal' (again, being the man of principle I am --the word 'universal' usually indicates a potential P.I.T.A.) collet system which has various steps on the three (or four?) collapsable ... claw is the best way I can describe it. You, using one hand hold the case in the claw. Simultaniously you hold down a button on the top which will engage a groove in the rotating trimmer body as you turn the handle with your third hand (seeing one of the problems?,) tightening the claw on the rim. If the rim is not pressed all the way back into the appropriate step, the case is either canted or you will get an improper length of trim (too long.) It takes some getting used too, and even when you are used to it, it is slow, at least compared to an RCBS or Lyman collet system.
In summary, I suppose if you want absolutely square case mouths with an extremely easy to use micrometer system that works, which is handy if you are like me and load for about 50 different cartridges of varying lengths, it is not an altogether bad trimmer. If anyone from Redding reads this I would suggest definatly re-engineering the collet system. If you could combine the RCBS trimmer and the Redding, or better yet, have RCBS mount a micrometer on their trimmer, you would have one hell of a machine.
Sorry so long, but I just thought I would share.
Joe
Pros...
*It is a solid design made of steel/iron, and obviously a quality product, as are most Redding Products.
*As advertised, it makes extremly square cuts. Previously I was using a Lyman and thought it was extremely fast, cases would be out of square as much as .002" with for me, an extremly anal, fanatical accuracy freak, it was simply unacceptable.
*The micrometer, again as advertised, enables you to make extremly precise length adjustments which are absoultely returnable (just remember to write the micrometer adjustment down!). Also, if you move the micrometer adjustment .001", indeed you achieve a .001" adjustment.
Cons...
*It's pricey, but I am one of those 'men of principle' who dont mind paying for something, so long as it WORKS.
*My only real complaint is the collet system.
:banghead: Im sorry, but it sucks. Its far to complicated for my taste and though I would say not enough thought was put into it, Id say more than likely, too much thought was put into it, obviously by someone who is an engineering genious who has never reloaded in his or her life. Maybe I am used to my Lyman, where I simply drop the case in a standard shellholder and tighten a t-handle on the end. Done. Trim. The Redding is a bit ridiculous in my opinion, and could be a lot simplier. Instead of using a separate collet for each class of cartridge, it uses a 'universal' (again, being the man of principle I am --the word 'universal' usually indicates a potential P.I.T.A.) collet system which has various steps on the three (or four?) collapsable ... claw is the best way I can describe it. You, using one hand hold the case in the claw. Simultaniously you hold down a button on the top which will engage a groove in the rotating trimmer body as you turn the handle with your third hand (seeing one of the problems?,) tightening the claw on the rim. If the rim is not pressed all the way back into the appropriate step, the case is either canted or you will get an improper length of trim (too long.) It takes some getting used too, and even when you are used to it, it is slow, at least compared to an RCBS or Lyman collet system. In summary, I suppose if you want absolutely square case mouths with an extremely easy to use micrometer system that works, which is handy if you are like me and load for about 50 different cartridges of varying lengths, it is not an altogether bad trimmer. If anyone from Redding reads this I would suggest definatly re-engineering the collet system. If you could combine the RCBS trimmer and the Redding, or better yet, have RCBS mount a micrometer on their trimmer, you would have one hell of a machine.
Sorry so long, but I just thought I would share.
Joe
