Yes, its another case trimming question - F.A. case prep system worth it?

[lezmark]

Ok, after hand trimming a few hundred .223's, there has to be a better use of my time. I have seen some of the other strings on this that involve drills and other creative functional ways to do this. For $155 delivered I can get a "Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Case Trim and Prep Center System". The reviews seem good to very good and it looks like it it sure would be simpler than my current method, and it is affordable. Any one bite on one of these that can share their experience? thanks

 

[03fatboy]

I have one set up to do .223/5.56
I have used it to do about 4000 cases so far and no problems

I was like you,after doing so many by hand their had to be a better way and not spend a ton of money.

 

[Gtscotty]

I really hate case prep, it's easily my least favorite part of reloading. I picked up the FA case prep center on amazon a couple months ago and love it. It's easy to use and cuts my case prep time to a fraction of what it was, money very well spent in my opinion.

 

[SwaneeSR]

I really hate case prep, it's easily my least favorite part of reloading. I picked up the FA case prep center on amazon a couple months ago and love it. It's easy to use and cuts my case prep time to a fraction of what it was, money very well spent in my opinion.

+1. Hate case prep. Cannot afford a case prep center at this time, but need to get something better than the hand tools.

 

[2ndtimer]

I have one, too. I leave it set up for .223 rem cases, since that is by far the highest volume cartridge my son and I shoot/load. I use my Forster hand trimmer for the others, I.E. .243, 6.5x55, .270 Win., 270 WSM, .308 Win, 30-06 and .338 Federal. The only downside I see for the FA case prep/trimmer is that it only works for bottle neck cases. You can't use it for straight walled cases, since it uses a collet on the shoulder of the case to adjust the trim length. I really like mine though and have probably processed a thousand or two .223 cases. If I ever get a sufficient volume of .308 or other case sizeas, I may try setting it up for one of those and see how it does. Probably not, though since I generally load the others in batches of 50 or less.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

I agree with most case prep has always sucked for me. But if there is one thing I regret is waiting to long to get a case prep center. But I did not purchase a name brand.

http://www.dayattherange.com/?p=3219

This made case prep so much mor eenjoyable for me.

 

[Rule3]

I agree with most case prep has always sucked for me. But if there is one thing I regret is waiting to long to get a case prep center. But I did not purchase a name brand.

http://www.dayattherange.com/?p=3219

This made case prep so much mor eenjoyable for me.

I seem to remember you posting this before. What is the price as it is not on their website??

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

I will have to search my older emails for you, honestly I have forgot. I know it is still going strong today.

 

[maxxhavoc]

The FA prep center is money well spent.

 

[Bart B.]

Other that trimming to length, all other case prep stuff for the same lot of brass is a waste of time unless your 1/4 MOA (at worst) ammo suddenly opens up to 1/3 MOA.

The trimmer that pleases you most is good enough. A .010" spread in case length is good enough as long as the longest one is under specs.

 

[Gadawg88]

Really like mine as well.

 

[GBExpat]

From what I have read, it is a well-built/-designed accessory and most folks that buy them are happy with its performance.

If I did not already have adequate accessories to perform all of those functions, I might be able to talk myself into spending the $155 the Amazon wants to deliver one to me.

 

[Lineman65]

I was in the same boat as you, I reload for NRA Hi Power. The FA case prep center has saved me a ton of time in the last year. I might get a carbide cutting head for it this year but no need so far after 1000 cases trimmed.

 

[lezmark]

Well, I bit the bullet....

Ordered Saturday afternoon and Amazon delivered it yesterday morning so i got to play with it. Cleaned up a few hundred 223's and I am glad I pulled the trigger on it...

 

[tcoz]

The RCBS military crimp remover and the RCBS primer pocket cleaner (metal brush) work great when attached to the FA case prep system.