I'm looking to get a case trimmer, previously I've been wasting money and just shot each case 2-3 times then tossed it. Anyone have recommendations? I've looked at the electric ones, they're pretty damn expensive for something that simply spins the case...but if they're worth it then I'd be willing to buy. The same with the manual ones, they seem expensive for what they are.

I've heard you can simply get a small electric drill with a specialized bit and trim it that way.

Advices, suggestions, recommendations appreciated.

No personal experience, but remember reading about one that attaches to a cordless drill. World's Finest Trimmer or something like that.

Might be worth checking out and getting more info on before buying a dedicated electric trimmer.

I have used a Forster for decades, and prior to that used the Lee gauge and cutter assembly. The followup chamfering is more of a PIA to me, than the actual trimming.

NRH ag 10 said:

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No personal experience, but remember reading about one that attaches to a cordless drill. World's Finest Trimmer or something like that.

Might be worth checking out and getting more info on before buying a dedicated electric trimmer.

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I picked one up when gander had them 60% off. I have not given it a try yet. I do most of my reloading in the winter months.

Whatever you do, get one that trims and chamfers both the inside and outside of the case at the same time.

I used to use the Lee chucked up in a drill, but too time consuming.

I didn't want to spend the money on a Giraud (sp?) so I bought an RCBS trim pro with a couple of three way cutter heads. Will get the drill adapter soon. Not super fast, but trims, chamfers, and deburrs all at once.

I don't shoot/reload a high enough volume to worry about anything faster.

I don't remember if the WFT chamfers and deburrs, but if it does then that would be a good deal.

DAMMIT, texags ate my response! (Also, see edit below too)

2nd Try:

Giraud is the king of trimmers, bar none. They make hands down the best overall model, craftsmanship, etc. Comes with the biggest price tag too, but I've never read a bad review on any Giraud product.

Gracey is more or less second place. Theirs is not nearly as robust as Giraud, but it has good reviews and by all accounts, does a good job. Not as expensive as Giraud.

Dillon makes one that adapts to a progressive press. Seems to work well, but I have no experience with it. Like the concept though. I am sure RCBS and Hornady have similar setups since they all seem to copy one another on press upgrades and concepts.

There are some single shell electric trimmers - Forstner and Hornady make one that I know of. No clue on the Forstner setup, but the Hornady one has mixed reviews on consistent length of trim and square facing.

A lot of options with hand trimmers that attach to drills:

Giraud makes a Tri-Cutter that trims, chamfers and deburs all in one step. I have one and it is a great tool. Not particularly cheap at about $100, but very good quality and it produces consistent trim lengths.

World's Finest Trimmer is another - EDIT - I was thinking of Possum Hollow trimmers, not WFT. WFT looks to be almost identical to the Giraud Tri-Way. My mistake. Gets good reviews, but given the choice and since they are nearly the same price - I defer to Giraud. Texas guy, lives in Katy I believe.

Possum Hollow Trimmer - it only trims though, doesn't chamfer or debur. I have one and really am not all that impressed with it to be honest. I sacrificed several shells to figure out what I have to do t get a square trim on it, just doesn't produce as good of results as the Giraud Tri-Cutter.

Lee makes a zip trim system that trims to length, doesn't chamfer or debur. It is consistent, but there is no adjustment capabilitiy - it trims to a specified length and that's it.

Hand trimmers are available as well - Forstner, RCBS, Hornady, Lee and I'm assuming others make basically the same thing. Miniature hand operated lathe that you set a mechanical stop on length on. Forstner has some heads that trim, chamfer and debur - they work well, but aren't cheap. Not sure about the other brands, I'm assuming they have some similar offering.

Trimming, chamfering and deburring flat out suck - worst part of reloading for me. I just don't like doing it.

My rough order of good to bad:

Giraud
Gracey


Giraud Tri-cutter
World's Finest Trimmer
Lee Zip Trim


Forstner Hand Trimmer
RCBS/Hornady/Lee hand trimmer

Everything else

Fairly new to the market, indexes off the case shoulder. Anyone have any experience with this unit?

Frankford Arsenal Case trim/Prep

GSS said:

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Fairly new to the market, indexes off the case shoulder. Anyone have any experience with this unit?

Frankford Arsenal Case trim/Prep

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I've read a few good things about it. FA is just so hit and miss on their products, but this one seems to be pretty solid. Came out a couple 3 or 4 years ago from what I remember, may have been out before that. A couple of guys on TFL got them fairly early on and said good things about them.

Just so you know, that's available on Amazon for 150 instead of 200

FWIW, Doug Giraud is an Aggie

AggieMarine said:

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FWIW, Doug Giraud is an Aggie

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That's awesome. I didn't know that.

I have two different foresters. Manual operated.

I have the Hornaday manual trimmer and I like it pretty good. I also have caliber specific trimmers from Lee that I like OK too. Never used a powered one so maybe I am missing out.

I don't trim cases that often because I don't load rifle cartridges to max, or near max charges for the most part.

I use the WFT and love it. It's just really easy and quick to use chocked up in a cordless drill. It trims very cleanly. Doesn't chamfer and deburr, but I don't mind doing those manually. I, too, would love a Giraud, but I can't justify that kind of coin for a trimmer. I plan on checking out their Tri-Way on my next caliber.

Stay away from the Trim-It and Trim-It II, they are terrible.

Is setting the WFT trial and error or is there a more precise way to do it?

Edited for habit of typing WTF instead of WFT.

If you are doing precision reloading the most accurate is the Wilson case trimmer with the Sinclaire Micrometer head. For precise repeatability it can not be beat. I have used Hornady, Forester, RCBS,and Lee and they don't hold a candle to the Wilson. Fairly pricy but well worth it if you are interested in bench rest type of consistent case length. It requires individual case holders but those insure a perfect square to the trimmer cutting edge. They are available through Brownells. Once you get it set up it is as fast as any of the others mentioned above imho.

You would use a trimmed piece of brass that has a known length to initially set it up. Any further adjustments would be trial and error, but it is easier than it sounds.