Help me pick a case trimmer

I have always just used the lee trimmers and have been really happy with them but I need something to trim my 204 ruger brass and thought it was time to move up to a lath style trimmer. I have been looking at the different ones and reading about them but I can't decide which one I need as their seems to be varying opinions on them. So what's everybody useing? What's the best value for the money?

I think hornady is the best for the money right now. I like RCBS too.

RCBS

I use the Lyman Lathe style with the drill adapter. Works great and easy on the wallet to boot...

Thanks I think I've got it narrowed down to either the Hornady or the lyman universal. I like the looks of the hornady but I will have to buy new shellholders for it which makes the overall cost of it higher then the lyman but some people say it's more accurate then the lyman which doesn't use shellholders. I'm also considering the Redding which is about the same price as the hornady with the extra shellholders I would need.

I notice that the Redding case trimmer has the case spin and the blade sits still. The other trimmers do the opposite. I do not own the Redding but it does seem like it would be handy sometimes to have a case spinning in order to clean it or lube it or something.

I have the Forster trimmer, I like it but for the price if I did it again I'd go with the Lyman. The Redding always looked good too.

I more or less rolled my own. I use the Lee trimmers with a motorized shell holder - sort of. So far have had excellent service with it. Looks kinda like this - - -

EdgarEg wrote:I notice that the Redding case trimmer has the case spin and the blade sits still. The other trimmers do the opposite. I do not own the Redding but it does seem like it would be handy sometimes to have a case spinning in order to clean it or lube it or something.

exactly!

I have the Forster....it works great. One thing nice about it is that the ends can be adjusted for length...drill new holes and you can go even bigger or smaller....perfect for trimming cases to a very short length for swaging.It uses collets to hold the cases...I think there are only three different ones....the drawback is, they are based on the the fact that all cases are within the same spec tolerance...and we know that not to be true in some cases....so some cases won't fit at all, some have thicker rims which will affect the trimmed length, etc...

But If I was to do it again, I'd be very tempted to get a hornady.

BTW...I'm pretty sure any shell holder will work(or should work). My friend has one and I'm sure he was using a rcbs shell holder in it. I'd at least try other shell holders....even though Hornady shell holders are the only ones that are supposed to work. I don't know what the difference is....

On the Hornady....I called my friend and asked him what the difference is in the shell holders. he said the hornady holders have a slightly bigger hole in them the "cam-lock" goes through to lock the cases into the turner....he had all of his shell holders reamed out to the hornady size hole, so he could use them in the Hornady case trimmer.

Thanks Hawcer I was wandering what the deal was with needing the hornady shellholders. This has really got me leaning towards the Redding trimmer.

Dartfreak had a Redding case trimmer up for sale/trade not too long ago...I'm not sure if he still has it.

Here is the post:

http://www.atgreloading.com/t822-wts-wtt-redding-trimmer

Well the redding is out I was reading about it today and it looks like in order to trim 204 ruger brass I would also have to buy a different cutterhead which adds about $25 to the cost. Looks like I'll probably just get the lyman.

EdgarEg wrote:I notice that the Redding case trimmer has the case spin and the blade sits still. The other trimmers do the opposite. I do not own the Redding but it does seem like it would be handy sometimes to have a case spinning in order to clean it or lube it or something.

I just found another case trimmer where the case spins and the cutter sits still. It is the Smart Reloader SR777.

http://www.smartreloader-usa.com/sr777casetrimmer.html

the smart trimmer looks like a copy of the Redding trimmer

http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/case-preparation/case-trimming/case-trimmers/redding-case-trimmer-prod37502.aspx

The handles looks a lot alike.

It seems to me that SmartReloader is just making "Simular" versions of everyone else's tools.

I have the redding trimmer. If I had it to do over I think I would get one that is easily converted to use a drill or power screw driver. To run 40 S&W's through it yu have to use a screw driver to open the collet a slight bit to seat the base. Not a big problem but when you are trimming a couple hundred cases for use as jackets it gets to be a pain.

Sasquatch-1 wrote:I have the redding trimmer. If I had it to do over I think I would get one that is easily converted to use a drill or power screw driver. To run 40 S&W's through it yu have to use a screw driver to open the collet a slight bit to seat the base. Not a big problem but when you are trimming a couple hundred cases for use as jackets it gets to be a pain.

That is what I use my Lyman trimmer for. No modification at all. And I bought the drill attachment. Works like a charm...

Iish I had seen your video befor I bought the one I have. Even tho I just use it to straighten the mouth of the case after trimming with the Harbor Freight saw, it is still quite time consuming.

I have the RCBS and am happy with it. I use the drill adapter and it works fine.

I also use quite a few of the Lee case trimmers. I have a few that I ordered through their custom shop for rounds like .357 and .30 Herrett as well as 7mm International Rimmed.

If I get into bulk loading and start using large amounts of mil surp cases I would definately get the Dillon power trimmer again. My wife hated the constant drone of the shop vac but then it was in the living room.

Strangely such things ended when we had children.

The Dillon power trimmer is not cheap, but man it worked like a champ doing 5 gal pails of mil 5.56 and 7.62 when I was still active duty in the Army.

http://www.dillonprecision.com/content/p/9/pid/23636/catid/8/Dillon__039_s_Rapid_Trim_1200B_Case_Trimmer

I like the Lee they are not costly and I have a 12 volt drill from Harbor Freight That makes it a lot faster there is no adj needed jest trim till it stop cutting! Keep the weight down on the drill!

Lee has "case-specific" trimming dies (.223 , .243 , 2506 and so on)
also it can be chucked in to a cordless-drill ...
and if you don't have a tumbler ,the case could be polished while chucked-up