I am starting to do 223 and 308 in large volume and think I want to speed up the process from my RCBS Trim Pro. Not sure where to start. Anyone have any suggestions? Does not have to be electric either. Maybe even one of those case prep centers.

RCBS Case Prep timmay. I'm telling you 99 bucks from cabelas 5 dollar shipping it's the way to go dude. After I used Erics Lyman I said there is no way I'm prepping cases by hand anymore.

 

On the other side of things, RCBS does sell a new cutting head for the trim prop which supposedly gets both the outside and inside edge while it trims the cases which supposedly means you no longer need to deburr the case mouth like you normally would which would pretty much cut out the prep center IMO.

 

Another option is the powered trim pro, it's a 200 dollar add on but would speed up the process some.

 

Another option that I know Eric has been using is the lee trim thingy. I don't know what it's called but they are specifically made per caliber, you can put the one end in a drill and supposedly they work really quick. Eric loves his. Only downside is, it only cuts one length, so if you have a gun that you measured the chamber, this wouldn't be a good tool for that.

 

If I think of anything else I'll let you know

M

The RCBS case prep center is money well spent. You can get the three way cutter for the RCBS trimmer but I believe they are caliber specific and about $40 each. I use the Forster original case trimmer with my cordless drill hooked up to it. I can trim about 20 cases per minute if I'm really trying.

Giraud, it is expensive, but it is the best and very fast.

Giraud, it is expensive, but it is the best and very fast.

They are nice, but I really don't want to spend that much. The RCBS 3 way cutter seems like it may be a place to start. I could try the 22 cutter since it will take care of 2 calibers I load for. And will most likely be the bulk of my rifle reloading.

The reviews on Midway from what I saw seemed very positive. If nothing else it's only 50 dollars and you know the next step is a case prep center.

I use the .223 Lee case trimmer chucked in a drill or the Foster kit chucked in a drill. The Lee are cheap and work very well. I'm not into precision case trimming so the Lee works fine to get the cases within spec. You may want to try the Lee in .223 for the hell of it and see how it works.

 

The foster is also a very good kit to do multiple calibers. They sell an adapter to chuck in a drill, but I just removed the handle and it fits in a half inch chuck.

I ordered the RCBS trim head for 22 and the cheap Lee one in 6.5x55 to try it out. Not much volume for that one yet. No need for the prep center Matt if this head workds out. Don't want to drown out my music with a loud gadget.

The RCBS case prep center is supposedly super quiet. Mine will be here tonight you can bet your but that I'll have it out and use it tonight so I'll let you know.

 

Let me know how that trimming head works, I may pick one up for 30-06 and 308 b/c im just that lazy lol

I use the possum hollow kwik case trimmer. Good stuff. Chuck it up in a drill, and you can trim very quickly.

This is what i'll probably end up with when i get into rifle loads.

 

For large volumes such as when I am getting ready to load up some M2 for the Garand I love my little cheep Lee trimmer setup. It is completely idiot proof, and gives very consistent lengths. Just throw the lee trimmer in a drill recline back in your chair and listen to the radio.. Zip... done, Zip.... done, Zip done. And when the whole lee setup costs less than $10 you cant go wrong. Now if I am only doing a couple of cases I will just use my Forster, but for large quantities you cant go wrong with the lee. They may be extremely cheep but they do the job well and I like em.

This is what i'll probably end up with when i get into rifle loads.

 

 

Ooh, that looks pretty nice.

So I recieved the RCBS 3 head trimmer and hooked it up. Huge improvement in time and makes cut, chamfer and deburring in one step.. It creates the perfect case mouth.. I also got the Lee cutter in and for low volume, inexpensive multi caliber case prep it works well. The only thing I do not like is it trims to max COAL not minimum.

Tim just grind the little tip that goes through the flash hole a tiny bit at a time until you get to the spec you want. Easy fix and works good.

Tim just grind the little tip that goes through the flash hole a tiny bit at a time until you get to the spec you want. Easy fix and works good.

That is exactly what I did. I definately see using it and getting others for my low volume calibers.

That is exactly what I did. I definately see using it and getting others for my low volume calibers.

 

Whoa! Tim liking a Lee product, stop the presses!!

Whoa! Tim liking a Lee product, stop the presses!!

Their solid metal gadgets are good. I love the primer pocket cleaner. The Classic turret and O press as well are good. But the rest of their presses and dies you can have. Even as well as the FCD works it feels cheap. yuck.

the lee trimmer actually goes pretty darn quick especially when you put the shell holder in a drill or electric screw driver.

the lee trimmer actually goes pretty darn quick especially when you put the shell holder in a drill or electric screw driver.

 

+1 - I banged out a couple hundred .223 cases using this method.

the lee trimmer actually goes pretty darn quick especially when you put the shell holder in a drill or electric screw driver.

Yes, and here is an update. I put the Lee trimmer in my big cordless drill, set it on the bench it it went through 50 cases of swede like butter. I can definately see getting more of these in other calibers and leave my trim pros set up for 223 and 308 with the RCBS 3 head cutters on them.

been using the forstner case trimmer, hand crank good enough for me..

 

did 200 9mm casings last night.. about an hour..

been using the forstner case trimmer, hand crank good enough for me..

 

did 200 9mm casings last night.. about an hour..

 

You can remove the handle and it will fit in a 1/2" chuck. You don't need the adapter.

been using the forstner case trimmer, hand crank good enough for me..

 

did 200 9mm casings last night.. about an hour..

I was actually averaging 10-15 seconds a case, complete. Trim,Chamfer, debur and clean primer pocket.