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Posted by: shooterscott October 30th 2009 5:11 PM

Hey all I'm wondering if there is a case trimmer that I should stay away from. I've been looking at the Hornady because that's the press I have and thought that I would keep it all in the family, if you will.
I am hating the prices on these dang things, but that's just me.

Thanks for any thoughts you might have. I guess a I should also say that the only rounds I'll be using it for are .223 and 30-06

Posted by: GLShooter October 30th 2009 6:17 PM

Are you talking the high dollar new Hornady set up? They look pretty cool but I don't think they are that much better than the RBCS unit. I am not too impressed with having all those rotating cutting surfaces on the front near my klutzy body. If you are looking for a powered unit I would probably go RCBS and add the Work Station for other activities. The CHEAP way to go is buy a STANDARD Forster trimmer, buy the power screwdriver adapter from Sinclair. This will turn out all the brass you could ever need with little effort.

The hand turned ones are all pretty equivalent until you get into the Wilson then you MIGHT be talking a tad more on the accuracy but not noticeable. I have two Forsters and a Lyman and am pleased with them all.

I also have a Gracey Trimmer and the Dillon set up for the press. The Dillon flat flies through the brass sizing as it goes. The Gracey requires that you size prior to trimming (as you should on ALL trimmers) so it is not quite as fast but it is easy to use once you figure out how to adjust the cutters for different case mouth sizes.

Greg

Posted by: shooterscott October 31st 2009 10:50 PM

No, I'm thinking of the small single hand crankers. I wouldn't mind getting the big monstrosity all in one but I had the same feeling you mentioned about all the sharp edges turning near my hands.

Posted by: GLShooter October 31st 2009 11:29 PM

The Hornady will do fine for you. I started with the Forster. The Forster does have several accessory things available like inside and outside neck turners, hollow pointers and some other goodies. I am not sure if Hornady offers that. If you are sticking to 308 and 223 that might not be of interest.

I've been doing this so long that my "horizons" are way over the curvature of the Earth by now!! I like to mess with different hand loading intricacies to keep my mind sharp. Knowledge has pulled me out of more than one hand loading conundrum.

Greg

Posted by: DMViergever November 1st 2009 2:10 AM

I have a lee case trimmer and it just hooks the shell into a cordless drill so you can shine it, trim it, and groove it out all in one step. the case clamps into a bit and then you just put the trimmer up to the neck. very easy but I only reload 50 or 100 at a time so it works perfect for me plus if you have a drill you only have to pay 5 bucks per caliber so it's also cheap.

Posted by: shooterscott November 2nd 2009 4:25 AM

Thanks guys, I very much appreciate the feed back. I think a may get the Hornady. But I'm looking into the others just so I know whats around.
I've got several hundred cases sitting there looking at me and wondering when I'm going to get to them. I hope to get the trimmer this next week.

Thanks again

Posted by: StagModel4 November 2nd 2009 6:03 AM

i prefer the lee case length gauge... very easy and zero issues.