Uniform Trim??

roysclockgun · Apr 25, 2013

I have my Lyman trimmer bolted to the work bench and driven by an electric drill. Try as I may, I cannot get cases trimmed closer than .005" variation. What to do? Close enough not to fret? Or, fret?
Steven

SJB358 · Apr 25, 2013

Steven, do you use a pilot? I stopped using a pilot in my RCBS a good time back and have been able to get my lengths to be much more uniform and if you are chucking up the brass squarely, I haven't had a single issue with square necks either.

roysclockgun · Apr 25, 2013

SJB,
Yes, I do use the appropriately sized pilot to go into the case mouth. I shall try your suggestion. Thank you!
Steven

R Flowers · Apr 25, 2013

The issue you are having is exactly why I gave up on my Lyman powered case trimmer. The repeatability of my case lengths was awfull. I hate case trimming and if I have to do it, I want it to be right.

They are expensive, I know, but I highly recommend the Sinclair/Wilson Ultimate Trimmer. This trimmer is currently close to $200 in the Sinclair catalog, but it is worth every penny. This trimmer does not use pilots, it uses case holders.

The trimmer has a micrometer attatched to it and you simply dial in the case length you desire.
EVERY case will come out that length, over and over. I find myself trimming cases a lot more often since I bought this item.

russ808 · Apr 25, 2013

+ 1 on the wilson.
Russ

roysclockgun · Apr 25, 2013

Thanks for the tip on Wilson, but I would not spend $200, unless I were 20 years younger! <8^)) I have wondered how some shooters get such close tolerance on trimming.
I do not compete in shooting. I do enjoy making tiny clovers with my varmint rifles. Variances of .005" on trim length does no affect my groups enough to cause me to spend more cash on a good trimmer. I will continue to limp along with the Lyman and hand electric drill. Maybe not using the guides will help. I will report after trying that.

hardcorehunter5 · Apr 25, 2013

lee case trimmers as simple, cheap and effective. If you want standard trim-to-lengths I would suggest giving them a try.

-Hardcore

Guy Miner · Apr 26, 2013

Steven - the basic Wilson sells for $119, though case holders for different cartridges are also required.

Perhaps not as many as one might think:

6mm Rem case holder also works on .257 Roberts & 7mm Mauser.
.30-06 case holder also works on .280, .270 Win, .25-06.
My .308 case holder is also marked for .243 Win & .358 Win.
For belted magnums, I can do .264 Win, .338 Win, .300 Win, & 7mm mag all on the same, haven't tried the .257 Wby yet.

Each case holder is only $7.00 - well, that's what mine are marked, but I got them a few years ago.

To hold the trimmer, I just use the vise already on my loading/gun-tinkering bench. Works great.

Here's a link to the Sinclair's site: http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-e ... 36320.aspx

It is a really good trimmer.

Guy

boomer68 · Apr 26, 2013

You can also order the standard trimmer directly from Wilson.

HomerOz · Apr 30, 2013

G'Day Fella's,

I have been reloading for a few decades now and have a collection of case trimmers!
Three of them now gather dust!!!
Probably 20 years ago now, I purchased a Wilson Case Trimmer (after it was recommended to me), and I don't think I have touched the other three trimmers since!
It Is THE BEST!!!

Hope that helps

Doh!
Homer