I'm looking for a new trimmer . What do you guys recommend? Q

Lots of good ones out there, but the simplest most foolproof one I've used is the Lee trimmer/case length gauges. You can't overtrim with them. Here's where to look at them.

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1116728482.5129=/html/catalog/casecon.html

I've got a Forster that I've had for years. It trims everyting I have. Easy to set up and maitains the adjustments very well. Never more than .001 between rounds. When I first started using it I had to develope a tecnique to keep from tightening the collet to soon, making sure that the case was seated fully in the collet before tightening.

RCBS's pilots will fit them too.

Midway has 'em
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=614276&t=11082005

RJ

If it's over 40 years old and still trimming it's a Forster. Like recoil jucky said, start cranking so the case spins before you tighten the collet all the way.

Bye
Jack

I have the Lee trimmers for some calibers (mostly pistol), and an LE Wilson for the rest. Both are relatively inexpensive (the Lee more so) and very effective, but the Wilson is adjustable.

i've got a lyman that a guy gave me 15 years ago because he hated it. i couldn't tell you how mch brass i've run thru it but it's been enough that i'm on my 3rd cutterhead. the universal chuck works rather well so all a guy needs are the appropriate pilots and a drill and he's in business.
i may someday get a gracey for my high volume stuff but i'm quite happy with this for now.

I use a Wilson trimmer with the Sinclair micrometer attachment for trimming the precision rifle cases, which is pretty much all of them anymore. The downside is that it takes special case holders that may not be available for less popular or wildcat cases and the cost adds up. The upside is that rim thickness and diameter inconsistencies cannot affect the trim length like they can with collet holding mechanisms.

I have an RCBS trimmer that I do use for non-precision and cases too short for the Wilson (anything shorter than 1"). It works fine but it isn't as precise as the Wilson due to the collet shell holder. The RCBS is much faster than the Wilson, but that is the tradeoff for the greater consistency.

Somehow, some way, I am going to build, beg, borrow or steal a 1.000" spacer for the Wilson trimmer and then I will use it for everything I can get a shellholder for. In fact I might make it a criteria that I can get a Wilson shellholder before I buy a gun in a given cartridge. But I don't load or shoot in large enough quantities for this to be a limiting factor.

Thanks everyone for your help.I'm looking for a trimmer with ease of opperation. I will look into your choices.Q

At some point ease of use will turn into a time factor therefore it would be prudent to consider the time factor. That will change which trimmer you will ultimately chose. Small batches I use the Lee, large quanities the Forester setup and middle ground becomes one of including set up time and trim time added together and whether its more advantageous to use one of the other setups. If not then either a RCBS or Hornady trimmer are use.

The time factor is a biggie. I would like something fast.Has anyone tried the Redding trimmer?Q

I see where the newest Redding trimmer is getting very favorable reviews but I don't know anyone who has/uses one. I use and like the Lee Case Length Gage and Trimmer that Bob suggested in his post. They work great and the lock stud can be chucked up in a drill if needed. It's like Bob said, you can't screw it up. I outfitted my cutters with wooden ball handles, it keeps my fat hands from cramping if I'm doing lots of cases.

if you want to go fast with your trimming then you need to look at the gracie. the only negative to me is that it costs about 25 bucks per caliber to get it set up. it registers on the shoulder of your sized case and also deburrs and chamfers at the same time.

Do you have a drill press? There is nothing faster than a Lee cutter chucked in a drill press, unless you can make someone else do it.

I guess the fancy motorized Dillon trimmer might, but it sure would cost a lot more.

I use the Lee tool in a B&D electric screwdriver and because it's a fixed length, I don't need worry about adjustments. If I ever do need to make a shorter or longer than normal spec. trim on a case for a particular firearm, I can just grind down a spare mandrel for a custom fit. Cheap and fail-safe, what more could I want?

Cheers

I have one from CH4D, electric. Fast and accurate. For cases that need a real precise length, the Lee hand trimmer is best. If you use a drill with it, there is some variation. I only use it for hunting loads I want to crimp.