Reloading Setup

[HALODIN]

OK then it sounds like I should avoid it, thanks. Case trimming is one of the jobs I wanted to make as easy as possible, which is why I was considering the RCBS trimmer with the 3 way cutter as well. Will that 3 way cutter thread fit on any other case trimmer do you know or does anyone else offer a similar product?

The Lyman - The Universal® Power Trimmer doesn't look like a cheap alternative, but I can see why you'd choose this if you have a bucket of brass to get through.

If you get one that will work then they are fine, but Lee lack of quality control is their big weakness.

For starters the Lee case length gauge is very good, consistent and is one of their tools that there is little to go wrong with, add a drill chuck fitting and away you go. Its only limitation is you can only trim to the fixed calibre length however for the vast majority of situations it is absolutely fine. Cheaper that the above unit and less likely to have something wrong with it.

I use a Forster or Lyman trimmers, the Forster is when absolute accuracy is need and the motorised Lyman is for volume. I used the Lee case length gauge before I got the Lyman but I go motorised when I can now because of arthritic hands.

If you have a good set of calipers then the micormeter adjust isn't needed

[rox]

For starters the Lee case length gauge is very good, consistent and is one of their tools that there is little to go wrong with, add a drill chuck fitting and away you go. Its only limitation is you can only trim to the fixed calibre length however for the vast majority of situations it is absolutely fine. Cheaper that the above unit and less likely to have something wrong with it.

That's the one I mean. The one shown at the top of this page (except I found it quicker to chuck the cutter and hold the lock-stud):

http://leeprecision.com/case-conditioni ... ing-tools/

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[rox]

Do you have any opinion on the seating depth of primers? The K&M hand priming tool, looks awesome but I suspect as long as the primer isn't proud, then the depth has very marginal/no impact on accuracy. Is this correct?

Primers should be in contact with the bottom of the primer pocket, and not proud. Any hand priming tool will allow you to feel the primer bottom-out in the pocket.

For the rest it seems like your mind is pretty well made-up, but unless you shoot a very low volume I would still wait on a Wilson trimmer. Case trimming is roughly the biggest ball-ache of case-prep and reloading. The Wilson is a fine tool and does make a beautiful cut, but it is one of the slower ways to trim. Will you ever see an accuracy benefit of the beautiful cut? I doubt it very much. The cheap and cheerful Lee (not the one you referred-to though) requires no micrometer adjustment, because there is nothing to adjust! It trims to the trim length by design, and that's that, and all for about £10.00. I started with a lathe-type trimmer like the Wilson and quickly realised that life's too short. My journey took me through the Lee system, the Gracey and currently to a Dillon trimmer which takes zero time (since it trims as you resize), but the drawback is that the 'stand' is about $2,000 (the 'stand' is a progressive press). There are also the various 'case-prep centers' from several manufacturers that probably offer a good balance between cost, throughput and precision. It really is something where the tool must match your needs, and you can really only find that out once you have started. Until then, as Dromia said, the Lee will serve you well for negliable outlay.

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[HALODIN]

Thanks rox, dromia, phaedra1106, Dombo63, John MH and Alpha1,1066, Stuck and everyone else. Your help has been top notch! You've filled in all the gaps for me and now I just need to decide how much I need to spend. :goodjob:

[Steve E]

I do all of my case trimming using the Lee fixed length case trimmers. (Trimmed 300 last night at work ready for Palma training). They work faultlessly are cheap and reliable. If they are good enough for Palma they are good enough for you. Why over spend when you don't need to.

My biggest piece of advice to you, Learn to walk before trying to run.
Keep it all as simple as possible.
Buy a 'O' frame single station press (any make they all do the same), a decent powder measure, set of beam scales, powder trickler and check weights ( buy laboratory weights in 1 & 2 gramme), lee case trimmer and dies of your choice ( I prefer Redding or RCBS). A hand primer (Lee or RCBS). You should be able to set up to load 2 calibre for less than £600 and be able to produce competition grade ammunition.

[John MH]

I use a Giraud Trimmer, currently working through a batch of 4000 5.56mm cases, do 100 every time I walk past by bench and it takes less than 5 minutes to trim to length and chamfer inside and out. Takes 5 mins to chnage calibres from 5.56mm to any of these; 6XC, 6mmAR, .260, .303, .308 or .300 Whisper

[Sim G]

I do all of my case trimming using the Lee fixed length case trimmers. (Trimmed 300 last night at work ready for Palma training). They work faultlessly are cheap and reliable. If they are good enough for Palma they are good enough for you. Why over spend when you don't need to.

http://www.full-bore.co.uk/viewtopic.ph ... are+cr%40p

[Blu]

Sim G, I was over at a mates house yesterday while he was doing some case trimming, he has the Lee Quick Trim Die. Have you had a look at that, really handy and accurate little tool and the calibre specific dies are cheap as well at around $10 Each. The thing chamf and deburs as it cuts.

Blu

[Blu]

I use a Giraud Trimmer, currently working through a batch of 4000 5.56mm cases, do 100 every time I walk past by bench and it takes less than 5 minutes to trim to length and chamfer inside and out. Takes 5 mins to chnage calibres from 5.56mm to any of these; 6XC, 6mmAR, .260, .303, .308 or .300 Whisper

+1 I agree, excellent bit of kit and I wouldn't be without mine.

Blu

[rox]

I use a Giraud Trimmer

+1 I agree, excellent bit of kit and I wouldn't be without mine.

For the info of the OP: The Giraud is a 'Rolls Royce' of trimmers. The current price in 220V configuration for a single calibre is $505.00 (plus VAT, duty, shipping etc).

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