Case prep tools

[Member 5605]

Awesome reviews folks.
I know it costs a lot but all I have to do is sell a few Salmon rod and reel combo's I have sitting around to fund it.
View attachment 322880

Frankford Arsenal has a case prep center. It uses a collet to hold the case (user adjusts tension) while trimming which is the most torque on your hands portion.

I cannot grip much for extended periods of time so at $150 it was money well spent.

 

[ron]

I use the Lee case trimmer chucked up in a cordless drill that sits solidly on the workbench. It takes probably around 5 seconds to lock a case in, trim and chamfer inside and out.
I do quite a few different bottleneck cases with of course 5.56 being the most.. probably only trim about 1000 of those a year.
works good for me

View attachment 323215

I have used the Lee trimmers for many thousands of rounds. Worn
out several. The problem with the Lee is trim length is not
adjustable. I have used the Lyman trimmer also. It is adjustable
to trim length. I set it up to adapt a cordless drill. I like the
Lyman quick release shell holder. The Lyman cutter leaves
a lot more to debur and chamfer. Still my favorite is the
WFT. It trims off the case shoulder like the exspensive
Giraud and Gracey. I know many fellow shooters use
the Gracey or Giraud. But $400 for one caliber???
GIRAUD POWER CASE TRIMMER
GRACEY POWER CASE TRIMMER
WORLD'S FINEST TRIMMER

 

[Caveman Jim]

I have used the Lee trimmers for many thousands of rounds. Worn
out several. The problem with the Lee is trim length is not
adjustable. I have used the Lyman trimmer also. It is adjustable
to trim length. I set it up to adapt a cordless drill. I like the
Lyman quick release shell holder. The Lyman cutter leaves
a lot more to debur and chamfer. Still my favorite is the
WFT. It trims off the case shoulder like the exspensive
Giraud and Gracey. I know many fellow shooters use
the Gracey or Giraud. But $400 for one caliber???
GIRAUD POWER CASE TRIMMER
GRACEY POWER CASE TRIMMER
WORLD'S FINEST TRIMMER

Agreed. $400 for just a trimmer for each caliber is way too much for this hobbyists budget as a new reloader. I'm not going to be cranking out 5 to 10k rounds a year, I just want to build some accurate Freedom munitions (quality over quantity).

 

[Certaindeaf]

.The problem with the Lee is trim length is not adjustable..

Yea, I keep my bottleneck rounds segregated by headstamp and number of times fired so the trimmed deviation is plenty good enough for me.

 

[Caveman Jim]

Yea, I keep my bottleneck rounds segregated by headstamp and number of times fired so the trimmed deviation is plenty good enough for me.

I have shot only PMC brand ammo through my AR15 (it really likes PMC), I cleaned up all my spent brass in hopes of one day getting I to reloading. So.I know they are once fired.
I have on occasion picked up other .223 cases from strangers shooting sessions after they had left the area. Most are federal & LC and have not tooled up to ream out the pocket crimps. They are set aside for a later date when I need some extra cases. I have no idea how many times that have been shot but most dont look too good with dents & scratches on the necks... may just discard these & go with the PMC's.

Will the once fired need trimming every time they are shot?

 

[Certaindeaf]

.
Will the once fired need trimming every time they are shot?

Not likely but always check to be sure.
I can go around three loadings out of an AR with FL sizing between trimming.
It all depends on what you're shooting them out of, how much you size, how hot the load, etc.
I do a random sample check of a given lot to see if the whole lot needs trimmed.. this is not with range pick-up brass but with brass of known provenance/number of times loaded etc.

 

[ron]

After cleaning my brass I length check each piece. The too
long ones go into 'need to trim pile'.

 

[Certaindeaf]

After cleaning my brass I length check each piece. The too
long ones go into 'need to trim pile'.

Do you trim those to minimum length leaving all the rest just shy of maximum or what?
I either trim them all or leave them all.

 

[ron]

The theory is if the brass is too long it can crimp
the brass to the bullet. Resulting in high pressure.
When I first started reloading rifle ammo (223 in a mini 14)
years ago I never trimmed the brass. I have reloaded pistol
without trimming so what? I started finding
fired brass with marks from the rifling of the barrel?
That old Mini 14 would digest anything. Not so with
my first Ar-15 Colt H-Bar. I then started trimming rifle
brass. So now as a safety check for brass I have already reloaded
at least once I measure each piece. With first time brass
I trim all of them and use a primer pocket uniformer.
I reload for rifle calibers 223, 308, 30/06, 8mm,
7.5X55 Sweed, 30 carb.

 

[BlackdogGS]

I'm looking too. At this time all my brass is once fired so I'm ok for right now. I posted that I'm in search of a good used trimmer (RCBS, Lee, etc) but if I don't find one I'll buy a new WGT.

 

[Member 5605]

I'm looking too. At this time all my brass is once fired so I'm ok for right now. I posted that I'm in search of a good used trimmer (RCBS, Lee, etc) but if I don't find one I'll buy a new WGT.

Look at the Frankford Arsenal... really...

 

[Caveman Jim]

Thinking this 3 way trimming tool
Giraud $98.00 3-Way Trimmer/Chamferer for Power Drills « Daily Bulletin

and the Lyman Prep tool for removing the military crimps, primer pocket cleaning, and whatnot.

 

[Caveman Jim]

Just an update, I waited for a good price and picked up the Lyman Case Prep xpress at Cabelas for $94.99....

 

[fxdc]

Just an update, I waited for a good price and picked up the Lyman Case Prep xpress at Cabelas for $94.99....

I got mine last xmas sale for the same price, and it has been great!

Thousands of 223 done on it and it has sped up the process so much!

 

[Caveman Jim]

I sure wish I would have bought it when I first started on my 223 cases, I prepped almost 800 cases by hand. I'm looking forward to the next batch!!!