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Posted: 10/18/2010 5:29:51 AM EDT
I've trimmed brass before but never in mass quantities. I've either gotten away without doing it or had someone else do it for me. I'm not in a situation where I'm going to have to man up and do it myself. I've used one of these before.
But to trim 1,000 rounds.... I think it would be hell. I'm wondering what other methods there are or other equipment that's available to make my life easier. Specifically, I know you can use a drill press and I think that could be a fast and economical way to get this action done. |
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http://www.giraudtool.com/prod02.htm
I love mine , I can do about 100 cases in 10 minute or so ...I have about 5000 to do for winter reloading and wouldnt even attempt it without it. Buy once, cry once...worth every penny too. in action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGYLmHvKVd0 |
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http://www.giraudtool.com/prod02.htm I love mine , I can do about 100 cases in 10 minute or so ...I have about 5000 to do for winter reloading and wouldnt even attempt it without it. Buy once, cry once...worth every penny too. in action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGYLmHvKVd0 The things I would do to get one of those. |
Beats how I`m doing trimming.
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http://www.giraudtool.com/prod02.htm I love mine , I can do about 100 cases in 10 minute or so ...I have about 5000 to do for winter reloading and wouldnt even attempt it without it. Buy once, cry once...worth every penny too. in action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGYLmHvKVd0 So would I need a different machine for each caliber? |
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Something like this would be extremely sweet! But I'm guessing a setup like this costs more than 1K. |
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I've trimmed brass before but never in mass quantities. I've either gotten away without doing it or had someone else do it for me. I'm not in a situation where I'm going to have to man up and do it myself. I've used one of these before. http://www.dillonprecision.com/uimages/missing_images/15021_rcbs_trim_pro_case_trimmer_kit_m.jpg But to trim 1,000 rounds.... I think it would be hell. I'm wondering what other methods there are or other equipment that's available to make my life easier. Specifically, I know you can use a drill press and I think that could be a fast and economical way to get this action done. Sir, FWIW I have personal experience with almost all the various trimmers available on the market. Basically speaking the cost of the trimmer is inversely proportional to the ease of trimmer use and the precision of the trimmer. My main objection the the hand crank type trimmer you show besides the hand crank feature is the lack of consistancy of the finished product in terms of OAL and misalignment of the cutter head and case axis. I do use an LE Wilson trimmer when necessary due to non availability of parts for my Giraud trimmer, ie: .30 carbine, but the Wilson trimmer includes a bushing that keeps the case being trimmed in alignment during trimming. The Dillon trimmer is a significant improvement over the hand crank variety of trimmers in terms of alignment, precision, and consistancy of the trim OAL. The Dillon trimmers cost significantly more than the hand crank types but IMHO the Dillon trimmer improves on the process significantly enough to make it worth the extra cost. I used a Dillon trimmer quite a few years and my main objection is that it does not champfer and deburr the case mouth after trimming. While there are some folks that will tell you champfer and deburr is unnecessary with the Dillon trimmer I disagree especially if you intend to load VLD style bullets in your precision rifle reloads. The Dillon trimmer is a very nice feature when used as part of a seperate case prep tool head in the Dillon XL650, but that's a whole different subject. One thing to keep in mind when considering the Dillon trimmer is that the Dillon trim die is also a resizing die and like most fixed dimension trim dies will resize the case neck more than you want. You will also have to lube all your brass incident to trimming and since the die is specifically for trimming it lacks the decapping feature most other resizing dies include. This means decapping and repriming must be accomplished in a seperate step. Another feature of the Dillon trimmer that I didn't like was the inferior motor. The Dillon no BS warranty does not apply to electric motors more than one year old. The Dillon trimmer that I had used spring loaded carbon brushes on a commutator. Commutators require periodic undercutting of the mica insulation between the commutator bars and as the bars wear it is difficult to do properly. The sealed bearings were materially inferior and tend to run very hot. While I was able to keep my Dillon trimmer working for quite a few years I also have some experience in motor repair and the tools to do it. I would avoid the Gracey trimmers entirely due to cost in addition to the lack of precision and consistancy of the finished product. The Gracey trimmer uses an obsolete design bearing which contributes to an excessive axial thrust of the cutter blade in addition to inferior cutter blades, and a very tedious and empirical cartridge change process. Most people that I know that have Gracey trimmers refuse to alter the cutter blades to use the trimmer for a different cartridge simply because it's too hard to readjust the blades properly. The trimmer can be improved considerably with carbide cutter blades from Bob Jones but even with the better blades the motor speed of the trimmers that come with motors is to slow to realize any real product improvement. Lastly there's the Giraud. I've used all the rest and Giraud is simply the best! Nuff, said. JMHO, 7zero1. |
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Anyone ever use one of the RCBS case trimming prep centers? http://www.gunaccessories.com/RCBS/prepcenter.jpg Yes i have one of those also , use it for removing mil primer crimp and used to use it for champher and debur when triming brass but its slow and causes cramps in your hand after about 10 minute or so . The Giruad trimmer does trim and champher and debur in one step .... |
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What about trimmers that hook into your press. I've seen these on Dillons, but I'm not sure if it would be compatible with a Horandy.
I'm picturing something similar to the youtube video above, with a vacuum cleaner attachment, that cuts as you activate your press. The Giraud would work if you could some how hook it to your press. |
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What about trimmers that hook into your press. I've seen these on Dillons, but I'm not sure if it would be compatible with a Horandy. I'm picturing something similar to the youtube video above, with a vacuum cleaner attachment, that cuts as you activate your press. The Giraud would work if you could some how hook it to your press. Sir, the Dillon trim die has the standard 7/8X14 thread of dies and can be mounted onto any press with the same thread configuration. I assume Hornady presses have the same die mounting configuration. I can't see the video you have referred to, my server prevents my viewing Youtube. The Giraud trimmer relies on the user inserting the case into the shell holder and pushing the case downward onto the cutter head. The Dillon trimmer begins the trim cut as the case in inserted into the trim die at the end of the upstroke of the press. I don't know how one would adapt the Giraud press to provide the same trim process as the Dillon. Each are trimmers but that's where the similarity ends. HTH, 7zero1. |
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I've trimmed brass before but never in mass quantities. I've either gotten away without doing it or had someone else do it for me. I'm not in a situation where I'm going to have to man up and do it myself. I've used one of these before. http://www.dillonprecision.com/uimages/missing_images/15021_rcbs_trim_pro_case_trimmer_kit_m.jpg But to trim 1,000 rounds.... I think it would be hell. I'm wondering what other methods there are or other equipment that's available to make my life easier. Specifically, I know you can use a drill press and I think that could be a fast and economical way to get this action done. Sir, FWIW I have personal experience with almost all the various trimmers available on the market. Basically speaking the cost of the trimmer is inversely proportional to the ease of trimmer use and the precision of the trimmer. My main objection the the hand crank type trimmer you show besides the hand crank feature is the lack of consistancy of the finished product in terms of OAL and misalignment of the cutter head and case axis. I do use an LE Wilson trimmer when necessary due to non availability of parts for my Giraud trimmer, ie: .30 carbine, but the Wilson trimmer includes a bushing that keeps the case being trimmed in alignment during trimming. The Dillon trimmer is a significant improvement over the hand crank variety of trimmers in terms of alignment, precision, and consistancy of the trim OAL. The Dillon trimmers cost significantly more than the hand crank types but IMHO the Dillon trimmer improves on the process significantly enough to make it worth the extra cost. I used a Dillon trimmer quite a few years and my main objection is that it does not champfer and deburr the case mouth after trimming. While there are some folks that will tell you champfer and deburr is unnecessary with the Dillon trimmer I disagree especially if you intend to load VLD style bullets in your precision rifle reloads. The Dillon trimmer is a very nice feature when used as part of a seperate case prep tool head in the Dillon XL650, but that's a whole different subject. One thing to keep in mind when considering the Dillon trimmer is that the Dillon trim die is also a resizing die and like most fixed dimension trim dies will resize the case neck more than you want. You will also have to lube all your brass incident to trimming and since the die is specifically for trimming it lacks the decapping feature most other resizing dies include. This means decapping and repriming must be accomplished in a seperate step. Another feature of the Dillon trimmer that I didn't like was the inferior motor. The Dillon no BS warranty does not apply to electric motors more than one year old. The Dillon trimmer that I had used spring loaded carbon brushes on a commutator. Commutators require periodic undercutting of the mica insulation between the commutator bars and as the bars wear it is difficult to do properly. The sealed bearings were materially inferior and tend to run very hot. While I was able to keep my Dillon trimmer working for quite a few years I also have some experience in motor repair and the tools to do it. I would avoid the Gracey trimmers entirely due to cost in addition to the lack of precision and consistancy of the finished product. The Gracey trimmer uses an obsolete design bearing which contributes to an excessive axial thrust of the cutter blade in addition to inferior cutter blades, and a very tedious and empirical cartridge change process. Most people that I know that have Gracey trimmers refuse to alter the cutter blades to use the trimmer for a different cartridge simply because it's too hard to readjust the blades properly. The trimmer can be improved considerably with carbide cutter blades from Bob Jones but even with the better blades the motor speed of the trimmers that come with motors is to slow to realize any real product improvement. Lastly there's the Giraud. I've used all the rest and Giraud is simply the best! Nuff, said. JMHO, 7zero1. Like the man said !!, i used a Lyman for 2 years and it took me forever to trim so I saved and saved until: 
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The Trimate is a good tool, it just turns too slow. Trying to remove the primer crimp with it with the RCBS crimp remover tool is torture. (have to press down way too hard, my hands ache in a short while) Get a Hornady reamer, threads right in, and does a good job. (upper right tool) 
RCBS powered trimmer with a 3 way cutter is not a bad tool. Will take all day to trim 1K. BTDT 
I too scrimped and saved and bought a Giruad trimmer instead of another rifle. ($450) I can now trim 1K of 223 in about an hour using the two hand method. For low budget, the Possom Hollow tool in a small drill press will do the job. |
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The trimmer its self is less than $1000 but the reloading press is more and out of production. The best bang for the buck is the Possum Hollow Kwick Case Trimmer. http://media.midwayusa.com/ProductImages/Medium/127743.jpg in one of these; chucked in a drill, http://media.midwayusa.com/ProductImages/Medium/295771.jpg and to debur also in the drill. http://www.thegunshop.co.uk/lyman_deburring_tool.jpg This is a fantastic tool for the money. |
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