Frankford Arsenal Platinum Case Trim & Prep Center initial review

[Citified]

Thanks for the info and the good tips. I only use quality brass these days because in the long run it is just more economical. This unit looks like a good deal to me.

 

[6.5x300 WBY]

Excellent! That's always nice to know and hear.

I have had the exact same one for just over a year so far an love it. Makes brass prep fast easy and almost joyful lol. Only negative thing I can say is that I waited too long to buy one. It is one of my favorite reloading tools. To make things a bit easier to find the correct pieces for the trimmer for a specific rifle cartridge. Once I have it I put them in little baggies and lable it for specific cartridge. This way it's very fast for me. You'll love it

 

[skipglo]

Best tool I ever bought for case prep. Another 4 + years owner here. Very close to 1500 Rds annually....never a glitch. I do always keep one trimmed case in every caliber in a tray and set-up is quick and easy using them to adjust to the cutter.

 

[Crockett12]

My reloading bench is so full of various tools, I'm about out of room! I've been thinking about selling my RCBS Trim Mate, my very big space hog RCBS Trim Pro-2 Power Case Trimmer and my Dillon Super Swage 600 for the far more compact Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Case Prep. That would free up a lot of much needed space for me.
However I've been concerned with the consistency of the OAL trim length of the Frankfort system since it's determined by the shoulder rather than the base of the case! I've picked up a lot of military 5.56 brass from my local range and I crimp all my 5.56 ammo -- and since the amount of crimp is determined by the OAL rather than the distance from shoulder to mouth -- it concerns me! I have some experience as a machinist and I know .005 in OAL can make a large difference in the level of the crimp! I do try and make all my reloaded ammo as consistent as possible but I wonder if I'm being too obsessive about my crimps???

 

[FEENIX]

I ran into this, and it might be helpful.

 

[JAYgs8163]

I ran into this, and it might be helpful.

Good stuff @FEENIX. Thank you as this will help me for sure. Appreciate it!

 

[Knight]

Le Wilson case trimmer for sure.

 

[FEENIX]

Le Wilson case trimmer for sure.

Well, this is a review of FA, if you want to share your review on Wilson, you can start a separate thread so it does not get buried here.

 

[ottobounds]

My two cents on the Frankford prep center. The upside: 1. Excellent bang for the buck. 2. Works exactly as it should. 3. Good quality build. The downside: 1. Changing the cutter for different cases never seemed to be a precise process. 2. Consistency in trim length, chamfer, and deburring is dependent on feel and your ability to control the case with your fingers. 3. Brass trimmings can be a mess. 4. My older fingers weren't really happy after running a pile of 5.56 / .223 through the process.

I eventually upgraded to a Henderson trimmer to solve the issues I had with consistency and it was way easier on my hands. Pricey but the Henderson is really a fantastic tool. I keep the FA around to do primer pocket finishing when needed.

 

[Crockett12]

I eventually upgraded to a Henderson trimmer to solve the issues I had with consistency and it was way easier on my hands. Pricey but the Henderson is really a fantastic tool. I keep the FA around to do primer pocket finishing when needed.

I've ordered the Frankfort Arsenal for Christmas but really debated the Henderson. I figure I'll do the same as you and keep the FA for primer pocket reaming but get the Henderson for Christmas next year if I also find the FA does a job on my old fingers!