Help me decide on a trimmer...

[Memberberries]

I use the ultra budget Lee trimmers with lock stud. They look cheap when you buy the first one but after 5 or 6 cartridges the cost starts to add up to a better one. I use it with a drill and for wildcats I either buy the next longer or shorter one in the same bore size and either trim the guide pin length or shim it under the cutter.

 

[AZShooter]

While you should have a case trimmer you may not need it for quite a while for some of your rifles. In fact you may own a few factory chambered rifles that may never need trimming!

You say you are new to reloading. If you know the length of your chamber you decide when to trim. Some factory chambers are quite long so even with multiple sizings the case mouth won't contact the end of the chamber. In this situation you may not have to trim the case for the life of the brass.

The numbers that the loading books suggest for trim length is a best a suggestion. There is no reason I can figure out to trim cases that short.

To find out the length of your chamber you will need chamber plugs which Sinclair sells:

https://www.sinclairintl.com/reload...s/sinclair-chamber-length-gage-prod32925.aspx

Here is a video showing how to use them:




Varmint Al has a good explanation on chamber length and other related handloading procedures. Here is the reloading page that mentions case length:

https://www.varmintal.com/arelo.htm#Chamber_Length

 

[nksmfamjp]

The Wilson is a fine tool. IMO, the micrometer is a meaningless artifact from when some folks thought case trimming had great impact on neck tension and thus great impact on accuracy. Well, I can get it within 0.001" with the screw and not losing a case....why does the micrometer help again? The greatness of the Wilson is in the cutter and case holders....not the micrometer.

 

[skipglo]

L.E. Wilson Stainless Steel Case Trimmer Kit:
https://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/case-preparation/case-trimming/case-trimmers/stainless-steel-case-trimmer-kit-prod104513.aspx?avs|Manufacturer_1=SINCLAIRzz1zzLxzzxExzzx+WILSON

L.E. Wilson Stainless Steel Micrometer Case Trimmer Kit:
https://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/case-preparation/case-trimming/case-trimmers/wilson-stainless-micrometer-trimmer-with-stand-prod39291.aspx?avs|Manufacturer_1=SINCLAIRzz1zzLxzzxExzzx+WILSON

L.E. Wilson Stainless Ultimate Case Trimmer Kit:
https://www.sinclairintl.com/reload...ers/stainless-ultimate-trimmer-prod39292.aspx

Which one do you have or would you suggest?

Thanks guys, I'm new to reloading (have not reloaded a round yet) and am still collecting the correct tools.

Steve

I use Frankford arsenal....happy with it!

 

[misterc01]

I use and earlier model RCBS case trimmer, and a Hornady micrometer. Both have worked great for me. The others are also good choices.

 

[redneckdan]

I also use the Little Crow WFT2. I chuck it in a drill press and spin it at 3600 RPM. I mostly use it for trimming .300 AAC made from 5.56 and .25-06 made from .270 I also have pilot chambers for .338 lapua, .223 rem, .308 win. I measured my chamber neck length and for the most part have quit trimming the necks. No need to.

 

[cetacea]

Little Crow Gunworks trimmers work very well with very little effort. You can get different inserts for different calibers. My arthritic body thanks Little Crow.

 

[BoomWop]

I have #3 and I'm completely happy with it. It is accurate and repeatable. It cuts the case mouth exactly perpendicular to the body which a lot of trimmers won't do.

 

[Svashtar]

Anyone know what the real world difference is between the Wilson Micrometer and the Sinclair Micrometer?

Thanks

Hi, first post here. Can't say I'm a long range hunter, but enjoy hunting and long range shooting, so maybe that's close enough. ;-).

I also have no. 3, and have the power attachment if I have a large batch of brass, but I usually just use the hand crank. The difference between the Sinclair micrometer and standard Wilson mic, is that the Sinclair measures in actual case length. Both are fine, but I also find the black Sinclair easier to read. The only thing I changed on mine was the stop screw for the mic, threading in a knurled steel one replacing the OEM plastic. That is, both are metal threads bearing against the little ball-bearing stop, but the knurled part is steel on this one.

 

[lgwatson]

L.E. Wilson Stainless Steel Case Trimmer Kit:
https://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/case-preparation/case-trimming/case-trimmers/stainless-steel-case-trimmer-kit-prod104513.aspx?avs|Manufacturer_1=SINCLAIRzz1zzLxzzxExzzx+WILSON

L.E. Wilson Stainless Steel Micrometer Case Trimmer Kit:
https://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/case-preparation/case-trimming/case-trimmers/wilson-stainless-micrometer-trimmer-with-stand-prod39291.aspx?avs|Manufacturer_1=SINCLAIRzz1zzLxzzxExzzx+WILSON

L.E. Wilson Stainless Ultimate Case Trimmer Kit:
https://www.sinclairintl.com/reload...ers/stainless-ultimate-trimmer-prod39292.aspx

Which one do you have or would you suggest?

Thanks guys, I'm new to reloading (have not reloaded a round yet) and am still collecting the correct tools.

Steve

I have the L.E. Wilson micrometer, and it works well for me. I have trimmed several thousand rounds with it. It is very accurate and repeatable. A friend has a little crow, and he likes it. The little crow is faster. I'm retired and have plenty of time, so the L.E. Wilson works fine for me.

 

[lgwatson]

L.E. Wilson Stainless Steel Case Trimmer Kit:
https://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/case-preparation/case-trimming/case-trimmers/stainless-steel-case-trimmer-kit-prod104513.aspx?avs|Manufacturer_1=SINCLAIRzz1zzLxzzxExzzx+WILSON

L.E. Wilson Stainless Steel Micrometer Case Trimmer Kit:
https://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/case-preparation/case-trimming/case-trimmers/wilson-stainless-micrometer-trimmer-with-stand-prod39291.aspx?avs|Manufacturer_1=SINCLAIRzz1zzLxzzxExzzx+WILSON

L.E. Wilson Stainless Ultimate Case Trimmer Kit:
https://www.sinclairintl.com/reload...ers/stainless-ultimate-trimmer-prod39292.aspx

Which one do you have or would you suggest?

Thanks guys, I'm new to reloading (have not reloaded a round yet) and am still collecting the correct tools.

Steve

Also, get the power adapter for the Wilson.

 

[nksmfamjp]

Also, get the power adapter for the Wilson.

Why? I find for 100 or so that the handle isn't bad.

 

[ntsqd]

The Wilson is a fine tool. IMO, the micrometer is a meaningless artifact from when some folks thought case trimming had great impact on neck tension and thus great impact on accuracy. Well, I can get it within 0.001" with the screw and not losing a case....why does the micrometer help again? The greatness of the Wilson is in the cutter and case holders....not the micrometer.

Repeatability. If you note the micrometer setting for a particular case then you can trim them to the same dim 3 years later w/o having to 'find' the case length setting.

I'm pondering this one:
https://www.sinclairintl.com/reload...er-platform-kit-sku749013151-54116-99539.aspx

 

[sceeder]

I do hundreds of cartridges and I use the Giruad. Very fast and easy to use. It does cost a lot but well worth it.