Case Trimming Options

WAB

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So here I sit trying to figure out how to trim cases one handed while I wait for this wrist to heal. It got me thinking, surely there is better gear for case trimming. The below pic is what I use, Lee pilot system w a cordless drill. It is fine but not super accurate and time consuming. What do you guys use?

Image1623697810.843155.jpg
 
I use the same Lee pilot system but mounted on a Lyman Case Prep Express. Lee now makes a cutting head that mounts directly into one of the little stations on the Case Prep Express. Then I use a little handle on the shellholder to make it more comfortable. I also have a couple of the Little Crow Gunworks trimmers that are terrific if you are doing a lot of cases.
Case trimming w Lyman & Lee.jpg
Little Crow Case Trimmer 22-250.jpg
 
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My reloading stuff isn’t set up right now, but here’s what I use, and I would say it’s a one handed operation. You’ll be slowed down, but can still do it.

Unless I’m missing something, I’d say it would work for you

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I use WFT. It trims off the shoulder, not the case head. Neck lengths are all the same. If you had a fixed
drill motor, you could trim one handed.


 

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For years I used a RCBS Case Trim Pro. Two years ago I bought a Lyman Brass Smith Case Trim Xpress. An awesome product. It is accurate and easy to adjust. The only downside is that it won’t do straight wall rounds or Weatherby rounds.
 
I use a Little Crow for my 223 high volume chucked up in a drill press in the garage. Next to it is a Lyman Brass Smith Case Trimmer. In my reloading room I have Lee Case Gauge Trimmers for every caliber for when I am doing short test runs. I also have an ancient Lyman hand crank Case Trimmer and a Hornady hand crank Case Trimmer. Those are for middle volume duties.
 
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It's not the cheapest, it is however one of the fastest. You can trim and chamfer inside and out one motion. You can easily do 5 cases in 10 seconds.
 
Inline6, how difficult is it to change cartridges?
 
Inline6, how difficult is it to change cartridges?
Once your case holder is set, you lock the collar and it's done.

The cutting head is on the bottom, a couple spanner wrenches takes it out. The cutters are caliber specific. So let's say you are working on 308 then want to 300wm. You would just change the shell holder. That caliber change is 30 seconds.

Personally the way I change the cutting heads is to buy one for each caliber. You can adjust the actual carbide cutter but that take more time than I'm willing to spend. To replace the cutting head assembly 2-3 minutes taking your time.
 
I'm glad I started this thread, you guys are a wealth of knowledge! I've been busy doing online research with the ideas you've provided. I'm not sure I'm ready to spend what the Giraud costs, but the Frankford Arsenal and Lyman Brass Smith look like good motorized options.
 

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