Which case prep center?

[Reeferman]

I have been using the Lyman E-ZEE TRIM Hand Case Trimmer as I mentioned in the revolver case trim thread. It's ok for small amounts but not something I want to use for any amount of case trimming so I have been looking at the various manual and electric case trimmers.
I have got it down between the Hornady Case Prep Center and the RCBS Universal Case Prep Center.
The reviews seem to be the Hornady is the best ever or it is a piece of junk. The RCBS seems to have more positive reviews. I like Hornady as the LNL AP I have has worked great as well as their dies. Had issues with a beam scale and a set of calipers from them. The Rockchucker and other RCBS items I have have all been trouble free.
Anyone here have one or the other of these prep centers and how are they?


http://www.hornady.com/store/Lock-N-Load-Power-Case-Prep-Center/


http://www.rcbs.com/Products/Case-Preparation/Case-Trimming/Universal-Case-Prep-Center.aspx

 

[Axis II]

Bing a newbie and never using anything like this I would say lyman and rcbs case prep centers are about $100 and you can buy an adapter to use your lyman ez trim on them to trim as well. I am seriously thinking about going this route myself because $500 is a lot of $ for those your linked.

 

[Laphroaig]

I went with the Frankford arsenal a couple of years ago.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/628405/frankford-arsenal-platinum-series-case-prep-and-trim-center

I like it. Some others have more stations but it does everything that I normally do, trim, chamfer and deburr. Cleans a primer pocket too if I feel OCD.

 

[Reeferman]

I went with the Frankford arsenal a couple of years ago.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/628405/frankford-arsenal-platinum-series-case-prep-and-trim-center

I like it. Some others have more stations but it does everything that I normally do, trim, chamfer and deburr. Cleans a primer pocket too if I feel OCD.

Does that do pistol brass?

 

[Blue68f100]

You can do a whole lot cheaper by using WFT or Trim-It with the 3way cutter for trimming bottle neck brass, ~$100. If your dealing with crimped primer pockets the Pocket Swager setup bt Hornady for there LNL-AP press is the way to go. I have it and you can process a bunch of brass fast.

Then get the lower end prep centers for the other small task,

 

[03fatboy]

Does that do pistol brass?

No just bottle neck,
I have one set up for just .223, and is great for that.

 

[Reeferman]

Bing a newbie and never using anything like this I would say lyman and rcbs case prep centers are about $100 and you can buy an adapter to use your lyman ez trim on them to trim as well. I am seriously thinking about going this route myself because $500 is a lot of $ for those your linked.

If it was only $500.00 as up here in Canada you can add another 35 to 40% to that price.

 

[Reeferman]

So nobody here has one of these units?

 

[berettaprofessor]

Yep, sorry, I'm a Franklin Arsenal guy too.

 

[DukeConnor]

i just went through a bunch of research and waffling on this subject. I reload pistol on my sdb and and shotgun on a old mec, and recently decided to start loading .223 and .308. i purchased a dillon 650 for .223 and .308. I ended up with a dillon super swage 600 and Giraud tri way trimmer. The super swage decrimps primer pockets at a blistering pace and the tri way trims and camfers in one step. total cost for both was less than 250. I prepped a 5 gallon bucket of brass this week.

 

[Reeferman]

i just went through a bunch of research and waffling on this subject. I reload pistol on my sdb and and shotgun on a old mec, and recently decided to start loading .223 and .308. i purchased a dillon 650 for .223 and .308. I ended up with a dillon super swage 600 and Giraud tri way trimmer. The super swage decrimps primer pockets at a blistering pace and the tri way trims and camfers in one step. total cost for both was less than 250. I prepped a 5 gallon bucket of brass this week.

But doesn't do pistol brass.

 

[Laphroaig]

Yeah, if you want a mechanized system that can do straight walled cases you might be looking at one of the ones linked in your OP.

I also have a Forster trimmer. Its hand cranked OME, but they have a power adaptor. I tried it, but never got it to work satisfactorily. An electric screw driver was too slow and not powerful enough, and the electric drills I have are too bulky to work easily.

Hand cranking a bunch of brass is no picnic!

 

[Cannibul]

But doesn't do pistol brass.

I've never had to nor needed to trim straight wall pistol brass. No trimming = no chamfering or deburring. In fact chamfering straight wall brass might not be the best idea.

 

[longdayjake]

I would buy the FA one.

 

[tcj]

I have the Hornady and it works well. Use it for 308 & 30.06. Also used it once for a batch of 44 that was too long.

It's nice and heavy so once mounted it won't move around.

 

[Reeferman]

I have the Hornady and it works well. Use it for 308 & 30.06. Also used it once for a batch of 44 that was too long.

It's nice and heavy so once mounted it won't move around.

Is the case square after trimming?

 

[Reeferman]

I've never had to nor needed to trim straight wall pistol brass. No trimming = no chamfering or deburring. In fact chamfering straight wall brass might not be the best idea.

I've never had an issue with doing it. What would be your concern?

 

[DukeConnor]

I've never had to nor needed to trim straight wall pistol brass. No trimming = no chamfering or deburring. In fact chamfering straight wall brass might not be the best idea.

I have been running a old SDB for quite a long time and never did anything to pistol brass but tumble.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

.30 carbine is one straight-walled case that needs to be trimmed.

 

[Doublehelix]

I have the Lyman Case Prep Express that I use for primer pocket treatments (cleaning, reaming, uniforming, etc.), and then I have the Giraud Tri-Way trimmer mounted to a motor for the trimming/chamfering/deburring. Works like a charm.

 

[KW-HD Rider]

Sorry but I haven't used either the Hornady or the RCBS but I do use a case prep tool. I have both the Lyman case prep express and a Wilson trimmer with micrometer and the WFT trimmers. I use the WFT for .223 which is qduick and easy and usually trims within +/- .002 which I find satisfactory for those rounds. I use the Wilson for precision .243 and .308 rifles. This usually cuts within .001 but most are spot on. I then use the Lyman case prep center to clean and shape primer pockets and to chamfer and debur the cases.

 

[Reeferman]

I should have been more specific in my first post. I will be trimming a lot of straight wall cases only and may start with some bottle neck down the road.

 

[tcj]

Is the case square after trimming?

Yes

 

[ar556guy]

Get the Frankford arsenal prep center and be done...it works amazing and is not that expensive.

 

[Reeferman]

Get the Frankford arsenal prep center and be done...it works amazing and is not that expensive.

Like I've been saying I need one that does straight wall cases.