Best case trimmer??

[Svashtar]

L.E. Wilson w/micrometer for all my rifle trimming. Expensive to get set up, but buy once for a lifetime of absolute accurate repeatable case trimming. I don't trim 45 ACP with Wilson trimmer, must use press to put cases in and press back out of holder. Real pain and slow, still use my Lyman for auto pistol cases.

I defer to your expertise, and may be missing a bet, but I've never trimmed any semi-auto pistol brass in 25 years. I do check .44 Mag and .45 Colt the first time, but that's about the only revolver brass I check. Other than those only rifle brass is trimmed.

 

[jdyoung]

Anybody keepin' score ?

 

[Warbird2006]

I had a Lee case trimmer with all the inserts for various calibers and eventually got so disappointed, I threw the **** thing away! It wasn't trimming the cases evenly. I contacted Lee and they sent me another bushing that the trimmer arm rests in. No better. It's just not good enough for precision reloading. What is the consensus for the best, most uniform trimmer you can buy?

If you want the best, invest in Wilson Trimmer. It's the best. All benchrest guys use it. But you have to invest few bucks.

 

[JAYgs8163]

Anybody keepin' score ?

Lol

 

[Auctioneer]

Forster original is excellent. Simple design, very rigid, no slop. Exact length to the .001" every time. My shooting buddy uses the RCBS unit that has a quick release design that is very dependent on force used. We get different results with small changes in technique. That thing will drive you crazy.

I have to agree with the Forster. Very precise every time, as are all of their products.

 

[Blackhawk]

And it has a micrometer !
I had to buy 4 extra collets for calibers it didn't come with. I love it. Been hand cranking case trimmers for 45 yrs.. Don't ask why it took so long...

See!

 

[Blackhawk]

Savage-Do you have difficulty getting NEW brass over the pilot head before you trim? Fired brass is no problem, but if I do get the new brass over the pilot head-it leaves a mark inside the case.

Ok here is the answer to your dilemma ! Sinclair makes what is called the Gen 2 Expander Die.
You order the body die then order the caliber specific mandrel (i.e. .30 caliber expander ) This mandrel expands your case neck ID 's by +.001" after FL resizing allowing an easy fit for neck turning.
INHO it's a necessary part if you plan on easily neck turning your new or once fired brass hulls.
Remember to order the Sinclair #749-011-715 body by ,then order the expander mandrel as a separate caliber specific entity.
Problem solved!

 

[sfdoc2000]

I don't know if you guys care or think about this....

I use the 2 main trimmer types: CBTM...case base to mouth and SDTM....shoulder datum to mouth

CBTM yields the best precision because it is cutting that dimension. Generally cutting what you measure is best.

SDTM always has slop due to FL sizing variation.....you can get CBTD nearly perfect and you will still have 0.002" variation.

So for precision rifle, I use the Wilson tool with its CBTM. Variation under 0.001". I FL Size first so I'm on the short end after firing. I also really like their case holder as it holds the case super solid with no pilot. I might even add power some day.

FL sizing variation??? the only time I have seen FL sizing variation is when I did not have the die set up correctly or the headspace on the rifle was excessive. I use the Redding competition die set where the FL sizer sizes the body and shoulder but not the neck. On my Hornady comparator, the case base to shoulder datum is always better than .001". I then size the neck with the competition bushing neck sizer so that I have just over .001 neck tension.

Correctly sized case to shoulder will give consistent case volumes which will translate to very low SD's on the chrono. Variations in case volume will give much bigger SD's every time, doesn't matter how accurate the powder charge. Neck tension and seating depth can also significantly affect the SD's as well. As long as the case is correctly and uniformly sized, the SDTM method will give uniform results at the range. using the CBTM method you could end up with varying case volumes and variable neck lengths. Short CBSD gets a long neck length and visa versa. I just think it is more accurate to do each separately and verify with calipers. Just my ,02 worth. Best to you all.

 

[rsnell]

Forster case trimmer. It has the carbide cutting head and is 45 years old. It still works greats!

 

[catamountsierra]

CBTM = CBSD + SDTM

As long as your sizing is consistent, either method should work the same. If your sizing method isn't consistent, which means that CBSD varies, then only CBTM will give consistent CBTM because the SDTM method isn't measuring the part of the case that varies. Either way, getting consistent sizing is key.

 

[Oldtime Shooter13]

I defer to your expertise, and may be missing a bet, but I've never trimmed any semi-auto pistol brass in 25 years. I do check .44 Mag and .45 Colt the first time, but that's about the only revolver brass I check. Other than those only rifle brass is trimmed.

In my experience new 45 ACP brass that I have purchased is not uniform in length after sizing. Maybe I am fussy, but I have never had a failure to fire. After that I don't trim 45 ACP again.

 

[nksmfamjp]

If you cannot measure CBTD variation, it doesn't mean it is not there.....

 

[jasonco]

As many trimmers as there are way to do it. I have several for different loading prep from bench mounted manual, hand held power to full multi tool head!

 

[centerfire]

I had a Lee case trimmer with all the inserts for various calibers and eventually got so disappointed, I threw the **** thing away! It wasn't trimming the cases evenly. I contacted Lee and they sent me another bushing that the trimmer arm rests in. No better. It's just not good enough for precision reloading. What is the consensus for the best, most uniform trimmer you can buy?

Get a WFT from Little Crow Gunworks, you won't regret it