Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles What case trimmer to buy?

I have been using a Forster case trimmer for many years. However, I am now reloading for several other shooters to the tune of hundreds of rounds of 243 ammo, and the Forster doesn't cut it. I have borrowed a friend's Lyman power trimmer, and it's better, but still a pain to use as the trimmer leaves a burr inside the case, making it difficult to pull the case off the pilot. I would like a trimmer that trims and deburrs at the same time. Any ideas?

You are talking about tow different processes. I use a Lee trimmer. It is fast on a drill and the de-burring tool works quickly, too, with the drill turning the case.

OK. Thanks. I'll check Lee out. I just trimmed 100 cases with the Lyman and it's very easy to over-trim using it.

Take a look at RCBS. They have available 3-way cutters which will trim case length and chamfer inside and outside of the case mouth all at once. When set up properly they do a nice job.

Not necessarily. RiverRider gave one example. Giraud is another.

Giraud - trims, deburs and chamfers in 1 shot

There's no other option out there than this in my opinion. You can buy cheaper. However, if your time is worth anything, the Giraud is where it's at.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Giraud certainly looks like a great choice, but not cheap! I ordered a Little Crow trimmer for the 308 case family from MidwayUSA. We'll see how it works.

I started out with a Forster and have been using a Lyman for the past several years. I like Lyman's case holder design, no collets to buy, only downside is the cases must be deprimed it will not hold cases with primer in place.

Giraud also offers this version that is not as expensive,
http://www.giraudtool.com/Tri%20Way%20Trimmer.htm

Sizes

..223 Remington and family .Also trims .17 Remington, .204 Ruger, .222 Remington, .222 Remington Magnum
.308 Winchester and family Also trims .243 Winchester, .260 Remington, 7mm-08
..30-06 Springfield and family Also trims .25-06, .270 Winchester, .280 Remington
.300 Blackout and family Also trims .17 Rem Fireball, .221 Fireball
7.62x39 .
.300 Winchester Mag and family Also trims .264 Winchester Magnum, 7mm Remington Magnum
Complete Trimmer in any of above cartridge size
$98.00




Ronnie

I have a RCBS with drill adapter, plenty fast,

https://littlecrowgunworks.com/product/worlds-finest-trimmer-wft/

I love mine for processing bulk lots of 243. Can’t recommend highly enough.

You may want to take a look at the Frankford Arsenal case prep center. I purchased one last year and love it. Everything is included so no extra collets and pilots to buy. It sets up fast and trims even faster. I find that it makes the previously tedious job of trimming and chamfering actually enjoyable and saves time as well.

I still use my old Forster. But several friends have these and they are real nice. If I was buying this would be my choice. Hasbeen

Giraud is all I use. Has never let me down.

WFT

Worlds Finest Trimmer

Thanks again for the replies. I got the WFT from Midway and it works great. Quick working, and case lengths are within a few thousandths every time. I called the company to tell them how much I like the product. After a bit of discussion, I found out that Midway only sells the WFT 1, and not the WFT 2 which allows you to switch out the case holder section and trim a different family of cartridges.

You can buy the WFT off Amazon which saves me big time up here on shipping, Midway has a Alaska xtra shipping charge. I have the WFT 2 and the cartridges.

At $72 a pop for each cartridge family I could have several hundred dollars invested in case trimmers with WFT's...........

Jerseyboy,

When you have to trim "hundreds of rounds of 243 ammo" and really want to save time, then it would be smart to spend the bucks on a tool that both trims and chamfers at the same time, quickly. I've used a bunch of trimmers over the years, including just about all mentioned so far, but the real time-savers are Giraud and Gracey. They do both jobs at 20+ cases a minute. If you're willing to spend more time doing the same jobs with slower tools, then by all means spend less money.