In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Case trimming

jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
edited March 2002 in Ask the Experts
How many times would a typical straight wall pistol case (say 38, 357 or 44 mag) be fired before it need to be trimmed? I never worried about this with auto cases as they usually flew away before they needed trimming, but I usually don't lose my wheelgun cases.

Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    I am wondering how you all trim your cases. I ask because currently, I use Lee stuff to trim my cases. This works fine, so long as they make a pilot in the caliber needed. However, if you have an oddball caliber, you need to custom order a pilot for $15 plus shipping, which can get quite pricey. So my question is, is there a good hand or machine turned cutter for which you do not need a pilot as long as the case? That is, I need a trimmer which has a pilot for the diameter (6.5mm, .30, 8mm, etc) but will work on any length case. For instance, I have an 8mm Mauser; fine, I just use the 8mm Mauser pilot. But suppose I want to trim some 8X56R brass? With Lee I have to special order another trim pilot. Any suggestions?
    "...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conference in 1899.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Jon, the pilots for both the Lyman and RCBS trimmers, in both manual & powered designs, are short w/ a shaft that fits in a hole in the cutting head. I had a few turned down / press enlarged by friends for odd sizes many years ago when I did custom loading. It's no big deal. At the time, I think the factory ones ran about $1 and anyone with a lathe can alter the factory ones in a lot less time than it takes to set it up.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    Short of removing the round after every turn and checking with a caliper, how does one control the overall length with such systems???
    "...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conference in 1899.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    That same RCBS / LYMAN trimmmer can (with accessories) also do inside neck reaming or outside neck turning, somtimes handy things to do when converting brass or trying to get that little bit better group
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    jon, all I would add to Jim's comment is, just as with the setting on an adjustable powder measure, one should check things periodically. I've had the setscrew back off a few times on long trimming runs. Not a biggie, because you end up not removing enough stock, but it does help if you have a GO-NOGO handy or a set of calipers locked in at the correct length such that you can run a quick check before you put a particular handful (or whatever amount) in with know good items.BTW, one other thing - the shafts on the Lyman & RCBS pilots and the holes in the heads are of different diameters, so you need to stick w/ one brand or another to minimize headaches.[This message has been edited by Iconoclast (edited 03-04-2002).]
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.