I am going to buy a case trimmer and would like some suggestions. I will be using the trimmer for a few calibers and not more than a few hundred cases at a time.

I'm not afraid to spend money to avoid buying junk, but I don't want to mortgage the house, either. Could you make some suggestions and the reasoning behind them?

Also, could you suggest a quality deburring tool as well.

Thanks

MidWay has a good site for looking...noticed they have the Lyman for $46. Add some more $ if you think you'll want the power adaptor one.

As for deburring tools, have been using an old RCBS tool for a lot of years, and finally it got too dull to do a good job (guess it took 30years)...kind of like stoning a reamer, but it's back to sharp again so guess I'm pretty well set until I'm dead.

Others are just as good...can get newer ones with a more shallow angle and a better handle, but I've no experience with them.

I checked out Midway and was looking at the RCBS Trim Pro Kit. This is the one with some pilots and shell holders inlcuded. The price was only about $10 cheaper than the local Gander Mountain. I went to GM and looked at the kit and was impressed.

Does this trimmer use the same shell holders as my Lee press or are they special for RCBS? I need a trimmer for .45ACP, .44 spl/mag, and .444 Marlin.

Thanks

Shell holders are pretty much the same - the old Herter's are different.

Been using a Forster trimmer since Hector was a pup and have had excellent service, as ribbonstone has had with the RCBS. Even have an adapter for the handle that allows the use of a hand drill or cordless screw driver for power trimming. It has an optional deburring tool which can be installed. Always found the ones that chuck up in the drill or driver to be just as good and a little more handy. Got to be careful not to over chamfer, though. That goes for any power deburring tool.

I just bought the Lee case trimmer. It is hand held, CHEAP, fast to use, has a drill adapter and are 99.9% accurate. Very easy to use!!!!!!!!1

Cris

Thru yard sales and scrounging I use the Lyman, Forester and the Lee case trimmers.
The Forester is used to outside neck turn cases, 30-06, 308, 375 Whelen, 25-06. The Lyman case trimmer is used to trim all of the above to length. The Lee trimming tools are used to trim straight walled cases, 45-70, 45 Colt, 357, 44 Spec. with the power drill.
One of the best chamfering tools I've used is the one made by Lee. It looks like a thimble. I bought one 25 years ago still use it and found one in a box of junk from estate sale.
The Lee trimming tool is most likely the best tool for the price. If the Lee tool becomes worn throw it away and get another. This coming from a fellow who thinks Lee products are, for the most part, junk!
Jim

I have a (very) old Lyman with the handle converted to use a cordless drill. I've had Forster, and use the Lee sometimes, but i keep coming back to the Lyman for any extended trimming. I also use an RCBS chamfer tool that i got in 1976, still working well.

Do keep two of the Lee hand trimmers (a .30carbine and a .223)...just a cutting head, caliber specific rod for length, and a locking shell holder; about as simple as it gets. For any one caliber where you'll be facing hundreds of cases than need trimming, it's a good choice.

I just bought the Lee case trimmer. It is hand held, CHEAP, fast to use, has a drill adapter and are 99.9% accurate. Very easy to use!!!!!!!!1

Cris
Then I have to be doing something wrong.I have a lee,it came with the anniversery kit I bought.This has to be the only thing I don't care for in the whole kit.I have to lock it really tight.So tight I need tools to release it. When I try to push it in the case it's very tight.I think I'm doing it right.I lube the inside of the cases.I even tried running it through the expanded die first.This seemed to help but I'm a little wary of doing this to all my cases.Next I was going to try to turn it down a little.I'm glad you brought this up,it's been bugging me.I loaded a test cartridge with no powder and didn't need to open the case.The .429(444) went in well.I have to believe the tool is at fault.Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Docd...

Trimming large straight wall cases can be a bit tough. I'm using the Lee Case Length Gauge/Trimmer with the Ball Grip.

I mount my 444 cases in the shell holder which is chucked up in the drill. I then slide the case length gauge into the case. The 444 will take a "pop" with the palm of your hand on the ball grip to seat in the case. I then pull it back out and reseat it. I lock the chuck on my drill so it will not turn and then turn the ball grip by hand. Using the drill will cause these cases to "walk" out of the shell holder. I just trimmer a large lot of new cases and these REM cases really needed some trimming. Work at it very lightly and do not let the cutter jam into the brass. If it's sliding on the edge it trims very quickley.

This is the Ball Grip Cutter, $2.99 at Bose's (http://www.bosesguns.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=739).

http://www.bosesguns.com/ProductImages/Lee%20Cutter%20Ball.jpg

I really like this tool. For the $2.99 per caliber you can buy quite a few for what the bench mount units cost. What I like best is there is NO setup on the users part. No measuring or adjusting.

Thanks Dog ,the pop is what I'm missing here.I guess I'm being too gentle with it.I don't know why,it's never been gentle with me.BTW.I hefted a 444p at the shop today.Boy that's nice.So was the price.I went home with a Puma 454.You'll be getting a few R.D.Postal match II papers from this dude.I just hope your post man doesn't go postal on you for all the paper you have him lugging .

Yeah docd, nothing gentle about a 444... whack the heck out of it, pull it out, and do it again! The only time to be gentle is when you see it needing a big bite to trim. Just take a little at a time. The 454 might be a little easier to trim being it's shorter.

Hey... send the targets, got to make the expense of the box worth while.

Michael

Docd...
This is from the Lee Precision FAQs...


Tight case length gauge

The case length gauge just needs to be polished down a little in diameter, so the gauge slides into the case. If you return the gauge to the factory with a sample case (one that gave the trouble) We can polish the mandrel down at no charge. One can also do this at home if you chuck the mandrel in a drill press so you have both hands free. While the drill is spinning, lightly file or sand the mandrel until a case slides over. Using emery cloth works very well.

Our address is:

Lee Precision, Inc.
4275 Highway "U"
Hartford, WI 53027

Docd...
This is from the Lee Precision FAQs...


Tight case length gauge

The case length gauge just needs to be polished down a little in diameter, so the gauge slides into the case. If you return the gauge to the factory with a sample case (one that gave the trouble) We can polish the mandrel down at no charge. One can also do this at home if you chuck the mandrel in a drill press so you have both hands free. While the drill is spinning, lightly file or sand the mandrel until a case slides over. Using emery cloth works very well.

Our address is:

Lee Precision, Inc.
4275 Highway "U"
Hartford, WI 53027
Oh great! Now I have to buy a drill press.lol
Well I guess I need one anyway.I must say that
all you have been saying about the Lee products IS true.I am a novist at this and have found ALL their products do just what they say they will,and easily.I bought the Anniversery kit a couple of years ago(I'm a slow starter).I have no complaints about anything.Well the trim guage...I still managed to trim over 50 cartridges.I did say a few choice words while doing it too."Darn that hurts."And this comes from a guy who works with his hands for a living.
The scale,the powder measure,dies,and press are a great value.And I had them all for under $100.
I shot some test loads this weekend.Very good.So good I put the 444 down and said done deal.I was too anxious to try my Puma 454.
Now that I have the Marlin singing.I'll have to devote some time to the Puma.Well I have already stripped it down.Cleaned the wood work.Free the trigger,and get rid of those god aweful sights.I had a heck of a time getting it on paper.Way high and right.I just bought a Lyman66LA.That goes on next.I think the guy who cut the dovetail in my 444 moved to Brazil.Just like my 444, the rear sight is not square.
Well I rambled long enough.Thanks for the heads up on the Lee tool.
Others who read this.Take it from me.Listen to the Dog.He's a strait shooter.

I'm glad it's working out for you docd. Keep at it... it only gets better!

The Lyman universal case trimmer has been serving me quite well for 35 years, and I only replaced the original cutter head two years ago. All you need to change calibers is another pilot and it is as quick as any out there. They made a motorized unit also, but for my needs I don't need a motor. It will trim everything from .17 to .50, including wide bodied rounds like the .416 Rigby and .50 Alaskan, but is too short for the .50 BMG; it needs its own dedicated trimmer.

I have a bunch of Lee case trimmers in different calibers and have used them for years. When I have a lot of trimming to do, I use a Wilson lathe-type trimmer.

I use a Pacific and an RCBS chamfer and deburring tools and they work great. All the best...
Gil