The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

dromia wrote:I have Pacific, Lyman - motorised, Forster, Lee, Redding and Bonanza trimmers. The most consistent for length are the Forster, Bonanza.

My take on consistency is how the case is held in the trimmer, all the trimmers trim to the same length on the trimmer as the cutting length is fixed on them all.

The difference in length after trimming is related to the variable rim thickness of the case. The Lyman and the Pacific for example hold the case by pressing the forward facing part of the rim against a shell holder or adjustable shellholder type as in the Lyman. Therefore the constant cutting length is from the front part of the rim to the case mouth. The actual measured overall length is from the back of the rim to the case mouth, therefore any variation in rim thickness is not taken account of when you set up these cutters and this variation is refelected when you measure the final length.

The Forster uses a collet that grips the case rim round its circumference therefore when setting these types up the cutting length is set from the actual base of the case, which you measure case length from, not the front the front of the rim where you don't measure case length from.

The little Bonanza just has small and large primer pins that the case sits on and provided the pockets are swaged consistently then it works very well indeed.

So if I want great consistency then its the Forster or Bonanza, for bulk work and getting military brass down to almost minimum case length I use the Lyman and finish on the Bonanza or Forster. The Pacific is set up to trim .577" Snider and like calibre brass where the odd though difference isn't so much of an issue.

So when looking for a trimmer I would recommend those that set their cutting length from the base of the case not the fron of the rim.

If you are happy about the consistency of your case rims them any type will do.

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Hope this makes sense.

The Wilson type use a different case holder approach and seem to work very well although the case holders can be very expensive especially if you load for many calibres

dromia wrote:Case holders were around a tenner each last time I noticed.

Nothing ever gets any cheaper, or at least nothing I want to buy. :(

Nothing ever gets any cheaper, or at least nothing I want to buy.

ovenpaa wrote:Well at least you know when your cases need trimming. I made my own OAL guage after getting a shock when i went to buy a tap for my Stoney point. A mate gave me an 8mm fine tap and die and off I went to the shed to make this. Now I can tap any case I have to suit which is good with fire formed special.

It is also a lot more fun to make your own things if you have the equipment, I have a small Unimat 3 lathe that is great for this sort of thing.

TobyH wrote:Thanks for the feedback. And yes I understand what you're saying about where to trim from.

Will look into the websites you've suggested too.

Just one more question about cases again. I use another hand held tool for clearing out the much from the primer hole, its not paricularly good at the job so was wondering what better tools/ways there are for doing it. I have a tool that keeps the flash hole clean/clear which seems to work fine.

Just one more question about cases again. I use another hand held tool for clearing out the much from the primer hole, its not paricularly good at the job so was wondering what better tools/ways there are for doing it. I have a tool that keeps the flash hole clean/clear which seems to work fine.