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Need Trimmer Recommendations
#6235619
03/24/16 09:38 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9,736
Mickey Moose
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9,736 |
Being new to reloading I am buying up equipment. At this point I'm looking for trimmer recommendations. Reloading...
* 223 Rem (semi) * 308 Win (lever) * 300 WM (bolt)
With each I do some target shooting but they are primarily for hunting. With the 300 I hope to soon start shooting some "long" range.
Though trim dies aren't appealing, nor is anything handheld or motorized (whether it's a "brass prep station" or chucked in a drill motor) I am willing to consider all options. I have my eye on a Sinclair-L.E. Wilson Stainless Ultimate.
It would be great if you would also convey experiences with tools that you have used but *don't* prefer so I can have basis of comparison among opinions.
Many thanks, Mickey
My botnet is bigger than yours.
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: Mickey Moose]
#6235635
03/24/16 09:57 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,523
RiverRider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,523 |
I think trimming is high on the list of most hated chores. The right equipment can take a lot of the pain out of it. A few things to consider before selecting something: how much are you willing to spend, how much you shoot and reload, how you feel about spending time trimming, maybe a few other considerations too. For me, the motorized RCBS system is the ticket, and that's because I gather a lot of fired brass before I prep it, so many times I'll be faced with processing 500 cases at a time...sometimes more. If you're going to load twenty rounds, shoot, and then reload the same twenty cases the next week or several weeks down the road then using a hand-cranked trimmer isn't so bad. Some guys like the other systems that are really, really fast but they're often for one caliber only and pretty expensive. Unless your bank accounts overflowing you might not want to buy one for every cartridge you're loading. There is a new product on the market from Frankford Arsenal and it's really reasonably priced. Not many here have tried them that I know of, but the few I know who have bought it do love it. Check it out here.
"Arguing with you always makes me thirsty." -Augustus McRae
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: RiverRider]
#6235645
03/24/16 10:06 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,206
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,206 |
Since I've used a friend's Giraud Trimmer, nothing else will be satisfactory. 500 pieces of .22-250 trimmed, chambered, deburred in 1 hour.
The price tag is steep, but I hate trimming that badly.
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: J.G.]
#6235693
03/24/16 10:57 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,281
Judd
#1 Creedmoor Fan
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#1 Creedmoor Fan
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,281 |
Since I've used a friend's Giraud Trimmer, nothing else will be satisfactory. 500 pieces of .22-250 trimmed, chambered, deburred in 1 hour.
The price tag is steep, but I hate trimming that badly. Buy once, cry once. I have a Hornady and I hate it but the Giraud is on my list. I just need to suck up and do it but I keep thinking I'll find a used one. There is a reason I rarely see them though
Don't let your ears hear what your eyes didn't see, and don't let your mouth say what your heart doesn't feel
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: Judd]
#6235743
03/24/16 11:42 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9,736
Mickey Moose
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9,736 |
Maybe the generosity of FiremanJG's friend will be extended you and me, Judd. I'd throw in a few dollars here and there.
Seriously though, the cost is not a factor but I'm not spending Giraud money - overkill/excessive for my use, ability, desire.
My botnet is bigger than yours.
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: Mickey Moose]
#6235752
03/24/16 11:48 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,739
603Country
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,739 |
I use the non-powered version of the RCBS Trim Pro. I added the upgraded head that trims, deburrs, and chamfers and I'm quite happy. It'd be nice to have the power head, but so far I've beaten down the impulse to buy.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: Mickey Moose]
#6235822
03/25/16 12:34 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,959
ChadTRG42
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,959 |
For sure, trimming cases is the worst part of reloading, but a necessity. A Giraurd case trimmer is one of the most awesome tools I have for reloading. It is well worth the cost to me. Before that, I used to a simple lathe trimmer, and had an attachment hooked up to my cordless drill. The drill made it less painful, but was still a chore. If you do not do many cases, the lathe style trimmers will work fine.
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: Mickey Moose]
#6235870
03/25/16 01:24 AM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9,736
Mickey Moose
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9,736 |
I don't shoot a whole lot. Pulling numbers out of the ether, maybe 1000 223, 100 308, and (currently) maybe 100 300... each of those are per year. I expect some some increase in 223 and 300 (due to wanting to do some long range) but not 308. Maybe those numbers are way off and I should simply say my volume is low. Being very forthright, buying reloading is probably a complete loss for me even with low end equipment (which I haven't necessarily bought).
My botnet is bigger than yours.
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: Mickey Moose]
#6235908
03/25/16 02:00 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,872
GLC
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,872 |
I use a battery powered drill as a holder.
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: Mickey Moose]
#6235927
03/25/16 02:12 AM
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 868
Txhillbilly
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 868 |
For decades,I trimmed all of my cases with the Lee style case trimmers and a hand drill. For some calibers,I still use them. Then I stepped up to the Little Crow Gun Works WFT trimmers,and they work great. If the Giraurd and Trim It II had been on the market back then,I'd own one of them. I just can't see investing anymore money in tools that I already own just to save a little time now. If you trim a lot of cases,these are the way to go!
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: Mickey Moose]
#6236155
03/25/16 01:06 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 86
AT11
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 86 |
I use a Lyman power trimmer and it works pretty good. I may upgrade to the Giraud one day but haven't because of price. Trimming is without a doubt the worst part of reloading for me. For some reason I just don't look forward to the trimming, never have liked it.
Last edited by AT11; 03/25/16 01:09 PM.
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: Mickey Moose]
#6236986
03/26/16 03:21 AM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,743
Murphscout
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,743 |
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: Mickey Moose]
#6237170
03/26/16 01:54 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,206
Korean Redneck
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,206 |
I have the WFT as well. The only problem with the latest version with the interchangeable bushing is that the shank is large enough that it will not fit on a regular power drill.
I'm a dude who likes long barrels!
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: Mickey Moose]
#6237269
03/26/16 03:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,273
blackcoal
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,273 |
Seems there were several people who were doing custom trimming, might try googling them. Work a barter deal or buy some old equipment they no longer use. Put it on the weekend chore list for one of your kids or find a kid that wants to make a few bucks or go shooting, win win for both...
The Greatest Enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.--Stephen Hawking
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: Mickey Moose]
#6249964
04/06/16 05:36 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 94
Caliche Kid
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 94 |
I have used the Forster trimmers for 50 years and with the new battery screwdriver attachments and the 3 in 1 cutting heads, they are better than ever. Midway carries most of the Forster line and they are fairly inexpensive. It does take a bit of patience to initially adjust the cutting heads to trim, deburr, and chamfer but once done it's a real improvement over 3 separate operations. They say the heads are "factory adjusted", but I haven't found one even close yet.
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: Caliche Kid]
#6249987
04/06/16 05:51 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9,736
Mickey Moose
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9,736 |
Caliche Kid, the Forster with the 3-in-1 is on my short list so it's nice to hear a good opinion.
Thanks.
My botnet is bigger than yours.
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: Mickey Moose]
#6250143
04/06/16 08:47 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 919
Gemlin
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 919 |
Once you use a Giraud, youll never go back to anything else.
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: Mickey Moose]
#6250893
04/07/16 01:57 PM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 390
okierifleman
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 390 |
Another vote for the WFT. They are case specific, not caliber specific (i.e you buy one trimmer to do the entire family of 30-06 based cases, etc..) They are fairly inexpensive and easy to use. Trim and deburr in about 1-2 seconds
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: Mickey Moose]
#6250999
04/07/16 03:13 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,682
cmorsch
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,682 |
I use the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Case Trimmer and Prep Center. Its not the nicest thing out there but it does the well enough for me. It does take a few min to dial in the trim length but after that ive never had a issue with it.
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: okierifleman]
#6251191
04/07/16 06:49 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,938
Jgraider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,938 |
Another vote for the WFT. They are case specific, not caliber specific (i.e you buy one trimmer to do the entire family of 30-06 based cases, etc..) They are fairly inexpensive and easy to use. Trim and deburr in about 1-2 seconds So how does it work if you neck size only, instead of full length resizing of the case?
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: Gemlin]
#6251250
04/07/16 07:44 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,424
jeffbird
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,424 |
Once you use a Giraud, youll never go back to anything else. Absolutely. Worth it even if it really stretches the budget. Single best expenditure I ever made on reloading. Trims and chamfers almost instantly with uniform results. Makes quick work of an important but tedious step when facing a big batch.
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: Mickey Moose]
#6252118
04/08/16 03:01 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,281
Judd
#1 Creedmoor Fan
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#1 Creedmoor Fan
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,281 |
I'm excited...mine should be here in the next couple weeks. I also added the metplat trimmer. We'll see if I can tell a difference in the bullet performance.
Don't let your ears hear what your eyes didn't see, and don't let your mouth say what your heart doesn't feel
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Re: Need Trimmer Recommendations
[Re: Mickey Moose]
#6252497
04/08/16 09:34 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 339
Phlash
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 339 |
Giraud is the way to go if you load a lot and can afford it.
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