Little Crow Gunworks

russ808

Handloader
Feb 2, 2008
1,456
39
I saw the trimmer in one of the forum subjects, Reloading I think. So I bought one for the 300 Blackout. I make my own shells from 223 brass. Well it takes me about 2 hours to cut 100 pieces with my wilson trimmer. Now I can do 350 to 360 in 1 hour with the Little Crow and my power drill. Took 5 shells to get it to the length I wanted, and then it was full speed ahead, dam the manual trimmer. I like it a lot. I guess I can sell some at our next gun show. They have one that will trim 308,7mm-08 and 243. Thats the next one I am going to try since I have 2 of the 3 calibers.
Russ
 
Good review, Russ. I may have to look for closely at this trimmer.
 
Same here! Anything to make trimming a better experience I am good with! Plus, they look to be really good once they are tuned up.
 
I wonder if you have to get a different one if you have an Ackley chamber?
 
BK":1920dcgy said:
I wonder if you have to get a different one if you have an Ackley chamber?

Kurt,
It might not work because of the greater case width at the shoulder. The length is adjustable but it fits snugly on the case. I'd ask 'em if they'd mill a custom bushing for you. Great product though, I have the .223 and plan on getting the .308 family trimmer.

Scott
 
Kind of a moot point, as the big selling point of an Ackley chamber, for me at least, is the reduced trimming they require.
 
BK":2p8e8lkv said:
Kind of a moot point, as the big selling point of an Ackley chamber, for me at least, is the reduced trimming they require.

Kurt, I think once you get your dies tuned into just bump shoulders, trimming is almost non existent for the most part. I know the Ackleys were toughted to be better, but if you bump shoulders a little, trimming on my side has slowed down a whole lot.
 
Those are pretty cool, even if a bit more costly to have.
As for the AI's,,,,, nothing comes for free. While they can be done without more than one or two trimmings, depending on the case life, operating pressures, and brass quality. Instead of trimming, the flipside of AI's is neck reaming requirements.

All brass will flow forward at firing, with shallower shoulder's, it stops mostly at the end creating length growth as most know. It also will thicken the neck, and in tight chambers, require turning as well. But with AI's and other sharper shouldered rounds, what many specially newcomers to the rounds don't know, is that most of the brass flow stops inside at the shoulder/neck juncture/datum instead. This creates the infamous neck dounut. If not reamed out, it swages back into the case during sizing, leave a flange of sorts inside the case. This can raise issue's with pressure spikes, and consistency in general. Depending on the brass and pressure I run at, I ream AI's every or every other firing. Mostly the first and every other after, as any more can also shove the shoulder/neck datum back as well,,,,, specially so with softer brass, or if freshly annealed. Also left unattended, this may or may not necessarily affect headspace, but will add to increased work hardening. This possibily resulting in more issue's such as premature neck splits, and or need for more frequent annealing.
It kinda boils down to, what kind of case life, consistency, and how meticulous one desires however.
As it always seems, there are pro's and con's to most anything and everything!
 
Dave,
I agree that they are a bit costly. But they are cheaper that the Gerard trimmer, which is also good. I looked at the Gerard and the initial outlay is over $300 and you still need the collets. I was looking at saving space and using more of the tools I had on hand. Making the 300 Blackouts from 223 brass takes time and I was looking at cutting that time down.
Russ
 
russ808":3jtqxr90 said:
Dave,
I agree that they are a bit costly. But they are cheaper that the Gerard trimmer, which is also good. I looked at the Gerard and the initial outlay is over $300 and you still need the collets. I was looking at saving space and using more of the tools I had on hand. Making the 300 Blackouts from 223 brass takes time and I was looking at cutting that time down.
Russ


I really like portability of it the most. For that I would pay the extra expense,,,providing it is accurate. I didn't check them out overly close for testimonials.
 
Back
Top