Case Trimmers

[Rayz]

Well the arthritis in my hands are starting to get to my especially since the weather changed. Was trimming 223 yesterday with my Redding lathe and was interested in seeing what ithers are using. So let me know what you use. And if it is worth it. Thanks.

 

[ISP 5353]

Wilson

 

[Leadeye]

Lyman with the drill attachment.

 

[Whip_McCord]

There is an adapter for your trimmer.

https://www.titanreloading.com/product/redding-case-trimmer-power-adapter/

 

[Creedmoor]

My brother and I co-own a Giraud, excellent machine. To fill in when he has it I bought a Lyman Case Trim Express.

 

[drm-hp]

Giraud, for 3 calibers.

 

[Leo]

For higher volume use I have the powered RCBS Trim Pro with the 3 way cutter attachments for the 7.62 X 51 and the 5.56 X 45. So I never have to change the settings and the mandrels.

Other cartridges of lesser volume, I use the Lee trim tools and spin the collet and trimmer stud with a cordless drill motor.

Once I figured out that 9mm and .45 acp don't really headspace on the case mouth, no matter what anyone says, I don't even bother trim them. .40 either.

 

[2in1evtime]

My brother and I co-own a Giraud, excellent machine. To fill in when he has it I bought a Lyman Case Trim Express.
View attachment 236869

This is what i use also, have been very satisfied so far after thousands of rounds trimmed

 

[Rayz]

There is an adapter for your trimmer.

https://www.titanreloading.com/product/redding-case-trimmer-power-adapter/

Well damn, didn't know that, thanks for sharing. Been looking at the Lyman trimmer or the Little Crow. But I figured I'd ask around.

 

[Rayz]

This is what i use also, have been very satisfied so far after thousands of rounds trimmed

That

This is what i use also, have been very satisfied so far after thousands

This is what i use also, have been very satisfied so far after thousands of rounds trimmed

That Giraudis a very nice trimmer but a but too salty for me. Has anyone seen the Henderson v3 trimmer. Another one out of my price range but looks very nice

 

[nmeyers11007]

I just picked up the case trim and prep center from Frankford Arsenal. I have only ran a couple hundred cases through so far, but it works great so far.

 

[billybob44]

For higher volume use I have the powered RCBS Trim Pro with the 3 way cutter attachments for the 7.62 X 51 and the 5.56 X 45. So I never have to change the settings and the mandrels.

Other cartridges of lesser volume, I use the Lee trim tools and spin the collet and trimmer stud with a cordless drill motor.

Once I figured out that 9mm and .45 acp don't really headspace on the case mouth, no matter what anyone says, I don't even bother trim them. .40 either.

"Once I figured out that 9mm and .45 acp don't really headspace on the case mouth, no matter what anyone says, I don't even bother trim them. .40 either."
^^^ How did you find this out??
I learn something new everyday...Bill.

 

[Leo]

"Once I figured out that 9mm and .45 acp don't really headspace on the case mouth, no matter what anyone says, I don't even bother trim them. .40 either."
^^^ How did you find this out??
I learn something new everyday...Bill.

Good question. I have been addicted to experimentation my whole life, and ruined some equipment along the way to prove it.

I took cases and trimmed them shorter and shorter undersized. Stopping at .125 and .100" too short respectively. I loaded a normal factory load with factory weight bullets, maintaining the specified cartridge overall length. The lube was showing on the 230 gr bullets. I slow fired and rapid fired multiple magazines full of the out of spec ammo. They all fired, the pistols, a 1911 and a 92fs never had a glitch. The extractor hook and dead weight vs. inertia must be enough to keep the cartridge in battery. I would have noticed if there was an accuracy problem. If I had a problem with too long of cases, I would have kept and measured the offending case, but never had problems like that either. That was more than a decade ago, and I just never trim semi auto pistol cartridges, and all my stuff works.

I know EVERY published article says case trim length is critical in rimless semi auto cases, but I cannot prove it. I know the loading books all say case mouth length is critical. Looking at the terrible over crimping condition of a lot of peoples reloads, there is no way the case mouth is coming close to hitting the end of the chamber on their ammo either.

Thanks for asking.

 

[billybob44]

Good question. I have been addicted to experimentation my whole life, and ruined some equipment along the way to prove it.

I took cases and trimmed them shorter and shorter undersized. Stopping at .125 and .100" too short respectively. I loaded a normal factory load with factory weight bullets, maintaining the specified cartridge overall length. The lube was showing on the 230 gr bullets. I slow fired and rapid fired multiple magazines full of the out of spec ammo. They all fired, the pistols, a 1911 and a 92fs never had a glitch. The extractor hook and dead weight vs. inertia must be enough to keep the cartridge in battery. I would have noticed if there was an accuracy problem. If I had a problem with too long of cases, I would have kept and measured the offending case, but never had problems like that either. That was more than a decade ago, and I just never trim semi auto pistol cartridges, and all my stuff works.

I know EVERY published article says case trim length is critical in rimless semi auto cases, but I cannot prove it. I know the loading books all say case mouth length is critical. Looking at the terrible over crimping condition of a lot of peoples reloads, there is no way the case mouth is coming close to hitting the end of the chamber on their ammo either.

Thanks for asking.

Good Deal Leo, and THANKS...Yeah, I have read several internet posts on shooting .40 S&W rounds out of 10MM chambers with NO problems at all??
THANKS AGAIN..

 

[nmeyers11007]

Good Deal Leo, and THANKS...Yeah, I have read several internet posts on shooting .40 S&W rounds out of 10MM chambers with NO problems at all??
THANKS AGAIN..

Exactly what I thought when I read the previous post. ^^^

 

[DadSmith]

View attachment 237039

I just picked up the case trim and prep center from Frankford Arsenal. I have only ran a couple hundred cases through so far, but it works great so far.

I have one myself with thousands of cases on it. 5.56 and 308 mostly. I really like it when I have a lot of cases to prep.

 

[55fairlane]

Home of Processed Brass - M&S Processed Brass

M&S Processed Brass offers a full line of ready to load, processed brass in addition to our brass processing service for rifle brass: .223 / 5.56 &.308 / 7.62 and pistol brass: 9mm, .40 S&W, & .45 ACP. Whether you are a hobby shooter, competitior, or high volume manufacturer, we can handle all...

msprocessedbrass.com

I shoot in excess 2500 rounds yearly, I send my stuff out....a large flate rate box holds just over 2500 .223 cases.....$99 to $120 and I'm set.....

 

[DadSmith]

"Once I figured out that 9mm and .45 acp don't really headspace on the case mouth, no matter what anyone says, I don't even bother trim them. .40 either."
^^^ How did you find this out??
I learn something new everyday...Bill.

I've found (non magnum pistol cartridges) if you don't run them +P they seem to shrink.

 

[tsilveus]

Well the arthritis in my hands are starting to get to my especially since the weather changed. Was trimming 223 yesterday with my Redding lathe and was interested in seeing what ithers are using. So let me know what you use. And if it is worth it. Thanks.

Forster Original

 

[Whip_McCord]

I've found (non magnum pistol cartridges) if you don't run them +P they seem to shrink.

That is my experience also. Here is a good article about this issue using 45 ACP as an example. I found this article around 5 years ago and shared it with my shooting league. Some of my bullseye shooting freinds were asking about trimming their 45 brass. I felt it was not needed and might be counter productive. I have trimmed many bottleneck cases and turned the necks on a few, but never trimmed straight-walled pistol cases.

http://vintagepistols.com/massreloading/loading45ACP.html