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Posted: 4/4/2014 7:13:01 PM EDT
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I'm sure it's been asked before, but I'm gonna do it again:
Which POWERED case trimmer would you get (and why) ? I'm running a Dillon XL650, and will be reloading .223 (in volume) and .308 (in much lesser volume)... Have been eye-ballin' : 1: The Giraud Tool Company Power Trimmer 2: Dillon Precision 1200B 3. Wilson (adapted to a drill press) 4. Forster Power Trimmer (adapted to a drill press) 5. Other ETA: Anyone running the CTS 2.5 Trimmer? Where did you get it? |
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Other: RCBS Universal Case Prep Center.
Started with Lee tools chucked in a drill, but the case gauges quickly wore down lengthening the trim. Then went to WFT for 223. It was difficult to make small adjustments, and depends upon shoulder position and profile to give consistent OALs . . . plus the trimmer is 1 per caliber. Brass shavings on the trimmer blade are also difficult to see and remove. Finally, using that trimmer did not power the other aspects of case prep. The RCBS unit has a universal shell holder and a simple to use micrometer adjustable trimmer that delivers extremely consistent OALs. The blade is completely exposed so you can see the need for cleaning and do it with the swipe of a toothbrush. Primer pocket cleaning, flash hole deburring, and neck brushing can all be done if/as needed while the next case is trimmed. There's also room for chamfer and deburr tools, or you can use a 3-way cutting blade to do them as the case is trimmed. |
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No actual experience, so take it with a grain of salt...but I plan on picking up a Dillon 1200. I looked at the Giraud, which looks incredible, but I would rather run them through my press on a separate tool head. I don't know why, but it just seems easier to pull the handle instead of picking up each individual case.
Either the Dillon 1200 or the Giraud, I don't think you could go wrong with either honestly. |
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I have a Possum Hollow in 223. Works ok. A crank and a motorized RCBS lathe trimmer with 3 way head. A Giraud. Giraud get used for every caliber I have tooling for, motorized RCBS for calibers I don't load as much. When you ask about trimmers, you need to set a budget because the prices vary so much. The 2 top trimmers the Dillon and the Giraud are at the top of any list. Dillon if all you want is speed. Giraud if you want cases trimmed and deburred. |
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WFT - World's Finest Trimmer. Chuck it in a drill press and you can speed thru cases. If the blade is sharp, you don't really need to chamfer/deburr. (replacement blades are ~$10).
You can buy the trimmer for $70 and get a drill press from Harbor Freight for ~$53 with the 25% off coupon. I also use the drill press with the Hornady primer pocker reamer to speed thru crimp removal. |
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If you can afford the Giraud by all means get it.
Gracey Match Prep is just as useful as Giraud's unit provided you buy Giraud's or Bob Jones Sights carbide 3-way cutter as an upgrade. An additional $25.00 over the cost of a Gracey trimmer. World's Finest Trimmer/Possum Hollow works fine, but requires two hands to operate. I won't recommend the Dillon 1200 until they do something about their trim die neck constriction (too damn tight!) and the fact that their trimmer can't trim, chamfer and debur in one pass. |
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I didn't find this until today -- but should have added this to the poll
CTS Pro 600 http://www.ctstrimmer.com/power-trimmers/30-cts-pro-600.html apparently they're no longer selling the Power Trimmer 2.5 and instead made the CTS Pro 600, which is similar to the Giraud in that it chamfers and deburs (although in separate operations), but it also removes primer pocket crimps in an expedient manner. Curious if anyone's using it? Feedback? ETA: Got an email response from Jim @ CTS this morning. They DO still make the 2.5, but it's special order -- since the CTS Pro 600 basically does the same thing |
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Quoted:
RCBS trim-pro w/ power drive & 3-way cutter for 5.56 other calibers (5.7x28, 270, 30/30, 308, 30/06 458Socom, & 45/70) I use the Lee case length gauges and cutter w/lock stud (case holder) chucked in a DeWalt cordless drill, deburr & chamfer with Wilson tool. DITTO + any 30 cal rounds too The 3 way cutter is FANTASTIC! |
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Quoted:
I didn't find this until today -- but should have added this to the poll CTS Pro 600 http://www.ctstrimmer.com/power-trimmers/30-cts-pro-600.html apparently they're no longer selling the Power Trimmer 2.5 and instead made the CTS Pro 600, which is similar to the Giraud in that it chamfers and deburs (although in separate operations), but it also removes primer pocket crimps in an expedient manner. Curious if anyone's using it? Feedback? I will let you know once I get mine in. Hopefully it will show up this week. |
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