Case Trimmers

Wondermutt

Beginner
Jan 6, 2012
185
0
Which ones do you like that are handheld or on your bench and why? I have some shells that are needing a trim and its one of the tools that I need to get.

Thanks
 
I like the Redding 2400 for precision. I like the RCBS for comfort. Each accomplishes the same task in about the same time.
 
Well, I hate to recommend such an expensive item, but I REALLY like the Sinclair Stainless Ultimate Trimmer. It is teribly expensive at $185.99 in the Sinclair catalog, but I have used nothing that comes close when it comes to case trimming.

The Sinclair is just an upgraded version of the Wilson Trimmer. It has a micrometer on the end of the trimmer and it is very accurate. If you want a case to come out 2.50 inches long you just dial it in and EVERY cases will come out 2.50 inches long. The system does not use collets or regular shell holders like most timmers. It uses Wilson Trimmer Case Holders. You will need a case holder for each group of cases. (That is one holder for 25-06, 270, and 30-06, one holder for all the WSM cases, one holder for most of the Weatherby cases, etc.)

I used to hate to trim cases, a lot, but rather enjoy using this tool that I just mount on my bench with a C-clamp when I need to use it.

Of all the other case trimmers I have tried the best value for the money is probably the Forster cases trimmers. They work pretty welll, are small, and use their own brand of trimmer piolts and collets. The current price in the Sinclair catalog is $89.95. This trimmer is pretty easy to set up but does take a little trial and error to get the case length set just right. The Forster is quite consistant and cases come out pretty much the same length. Some other brands I have tried to not necessarily give consistant case lengths.

For just getting started trimming, the Forster is probably the best way to go.
 
R Flowers":f7x1leo2 said:
Well, I hate to recommend such an expensive item, but I REALLY like the Sinclair Stainless Ultimate Trimmer. It is teribly expensive at $185.99 in the Sinclair catalog, but I have used nothing that comes close when it comes to case trimming.

The Sinclair is just an upgraded version of the Wilson Trimmer. It has a micrometer on the end of the trimmer and it is very accurate. If you want a case to come out 2.50 inches long you just dial it in and EVERY cases will come out 2.50 inches long. The system does not use collets or regular shell holders like most timmers. It uses Wilson Trimmer Case Holders. You will need a case holder for each group of cases. (That is one holder for 25-06, 270, and 30-06, one holder for all the WSM cases, one holder for most of the Weatherby cases, etc.)

I used to hate to trim cases, a lot, but rather enjoy using this tool that I just mount on my bench with a C-clamp when I need to use it.

Of all the other case trimmers I have tried the best value for the money is probably the Forster cases trimmers. They work pretty welll, are small, and use their own brand of trimmer piolts and collets. The current price in the Sinclair catalog is $89.95. This trimmer is pretty easy to set up but does take a little trial and error to get the case length set just right. The Forster is quite consistant and cases come out pretty much the same length. Some other brands I have tried to not necessarily give consistant case lengths.

For just getting started trimming, the Forster is probably the best way to go.

Mr. Flowers, that is the trimmer I am gunning for myself! Once I am ready to take the plunge, It looks like the most accurate one out there too me as well. Thanks for the heads up, makes me feel better I am not throwing my dukets down the crapper.
 
I am not familiar with many handheld trimming systems. Maybe I am just going off on the wrong track but the only thing I might consider "handheld" is the Lee system.

I think the Giraud system must be about the most sophisticated combination of mechanization and precision, but it's awfully expensive. I've used a Lyman Universal (I never could understand why it wouldn't cut a case mouth squarely), an RCBS Trim Pro manual trimmer, and lately the motorized Trim Pro system. I really like the Trim Pro system because of the accessories available for it---namely, the 3-Way Cutters. Those are worth their weight in gold as the eliminate the need for inside or outside chamfering, PLUS I get very consistent trim lengths. Another accessory RCBS offered for a time was the Trim Gauge which eliminates the need for setting up trim length...unfortunately, the Trim Gauge is no longer offered. Anyway, with my system I can trim 3 or 4 cases a minute easily without a lot of intensive effort...and I can switch to trimming another cartridge in about 30 seconds if I want to do so, and all without touching a single adjustment.

I still don't care for trimming much, but it surely is not a tenth of the PITA that it used to be. High-precision manual trimmers may still be best for handloaders who load twenty rounds at a time, but for someone who might load several hundred rounds at a time, the motorized RCBS system is hard to beat.
 
I use the Forster and it has always done a good job for me. I just finished ordering a number of pilots,I believe now that I should be set. I am loading more now than I ever have.

Blessings,
Dan
 
I owned a forster, bought a Wilson and dont have the forster anymore. very simple and precise tool. I think I paid $45 for the tool and $12 for each die.
 
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