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Case Trimmers
Feb 4th, 2014 at 10:23am
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Hi all,
What do you guys use for case trimming some of the conversions that are used in these rifles?
Examples of what I need to do...
.38 special shortened .125 inch.
.30-30 winchester shortened to 1.75 inch oal.
.303 british shortened to 1.000 inch oal.
7.62x54r shortened to 1.550 inch oal.
Any ideas on a good trimmer for me?
Thanks,
Dave
  

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Re: Case Trimmers
Reply #1 - Feb 4th, 2014 at 10:47am
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I have used a bunch of different manufacture trimmer, the Wilson is the most precise. Hands down.
  
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Re: Case Trimmers
Reply #2 - Feb 4th, 2014 at 11:06am
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The problem with that one is that the shell holder is too long for what I'm trying to do.
And if I cut it to the short length that I need, it will not be as stable as a longer holder.
  

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Re: Case Trimmers
Reply #3 - Feb 4th, 2014 at 11:07am
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They will make them for you. Just ask them.
  
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Re: Case Trimmers
Reply #4 - Feb 4th, 2014 at 11:15am
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Been using a Forster trimmer since the early seventies. Just trimmed 100 45 x 2.6 to 2.4. 

Will not wear out. 

Last week purchased a new RCBS king size deburring tool for up to 60 caliber. A scaled up version. Dull, does not work.


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Re: Case Trimmers
Reply #5 - Feb 4th, 2014 at 12:34pm
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Can you make up, or have made up, some file trim dies?

If I have to remove a significant amount of material I really like a trim die.  Then I finish the job on my RCBS trimmer.

Chris.
  
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Re: Case Trimmers
Reply #6 - Feb 5th, 2014 at 7:00am
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Have had the Wilson and found it a PITA to use as need a dedicated shell-holder machined for each cartridge. Wilson will make them, but you need to either have a 'standard' cartridge or send them a case that you want a holder machined for and wait (and pay) for the case holder. The OP would need 4-case holders made for his custom lengths. 

Based on the feedback I received on the Wilson on a high power forum, I bought one to replace a Forster. Big mistake. The Forster uses collets that are standardized for rim diameter and each one fits a range of cartridges. I find the Forster just as accurate as the Wilson and considerably easier to use as well as more flexible in the different number of cartridges that can be trimmed (reamed, whatever tool bits you purchase) in it. Get the carbide cutter with either. Lasts a lifetime.
  

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Re: Case Trimmers
Reply #7 - Feb 5th, 2014 at 8:38am
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I also use a Forester for my trimming. When I have a lot to take off I chuck them up in the lathe with a mandrel in the neck and use the lathe to trim the majority off then use the Trimmer for the last .020” or so.

40 Rod
  
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Re: Case Trimmers
Reply #8 - Feb 5th, 2014 at 10:36am
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I use a Forester. Also have an old RCBS which I leave set up for one cartridge. It's not as easy to adjust as the Forester.
  
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Re: Case Trimmers
Reply #9 - Feb 5th, 2014 at 1:25pm
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When I have to cut that much off a case I saw a block of wood to a thickness just longer than my desired length, grind a trough for the case to rest in with the rim against the edge and use a Dremel with a steel cutoff saw from Harbor Freight to whack the excess off in seconds. Then I go to my Redding trimmer. For a lot of cases that only need 1/4 inch or less off I use a Lyman drill press trimmer to get close.
  
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Re: Case Trimmers
Reply #10 - Feb 5th, 2014 at 1:41pm
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I use a Forester trimmer for most of my trimming. I have an RCBS I use with a hand drill for production work.

  

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Re: Case Trimmers
Reply #11 - Feb 5th, 2014 at 4:36pm
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Forster.

    Joe.
  

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Re: Case Trimmers
Reply #12 - Feb 6th, 2014 at 12:13pm
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I use a Lyman with a power adapter.
  

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Re: Case Trimmers
Reply #13 - Feb 6th, 2014 at 1:06pm
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I have a Wilson, Smiley, Redding and a Lyman. 

They are all good trimmers but, as far as conveniance, I like the Lyman because it has all the pilots mounted right in the trimmer and a quick change chuck.

The old Smiley has a cutting head that can be adjusted to trim and inside chamfer at the same time.

My old Redding, I made the cutting head out of a Lee triming head. The rear part is soft and very machinable and I make the pilots out of screws.

Frank
  

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Re: Case Trimmers
Reply #14 - Feb 6th, 2014 at 3:55pm
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If you have a lot of brass to trim, or need to shorten cases significantly, the C-H power trimmer works quite well.  Uses standard shell holders.  Need a pilot for the diameter case mouth you want to trim.  power deburrs and chamfers also.  I've had mine for years.   
To just remove a few thousandths, I use the Lee trimmers in a cordless drill.  I grind the tip of the pilot gauge to the exact length I want the brass.

Have a Lyman trimmer also, and it works just fine. I chuck the shaft in a cordless drill also. Not as fast as the C-H.
  

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