The guide rod that you insert into the case is case specific. You just insert it into the case and cut until no more shavings come off. At that point your case is at the correct length. The end of the guide rod has a pin that goes through the flash hole and stops on the face of the jaws. The rod screws into the cutter. The case length is just the length of the rod between the tip of the rod and the shoulder where the cutting tool stops. Pretty simple setup.
Honestly I don't remember. I believe I used the cases as is. I am not sure what kind of effect this would have on accuracy. A burr might impact the concentric release of the bullet from the case neck during firing, but to what extend this will impact things on a larger level I wouldn't know. A burr might cause the bullet to hang up during seating and damage the case neck. I didn't notice this kind of thing.
Could someone help me out: when u resize with a die doesn't that trim the case also? Because people size then trim and it seems like a crap load of work... Plus u gotta debut and chamfer, clean and uniform the primer pocket and u still never added components to the damn thing so why do ppl trim also?
I wouldn't worry about trimming a pistol case. For rifle cases they usually need a trim after one or two firings. Measure a few cases from the batch with some calipers to check length against the case specs.
Sounds like a good idea. I tried using a cordless drill with the Lee cutter and Lee shell-holder and didn't like taking the brass on and off the drill. It was fast and I didn't miss the manual trimming. Check out my case prep video, that has a Possum Hollow trimmer, which rocks.
I use to use a this setup and hated it. Got some blisters and soar fingers. I decided to invest a little more money, now it is much more pleasant experience. See my video response.
One thing I like about the Lee setup is that is costs less than half what some of the other case trimmers on the market cost. I have an RCBS trimmer, and it is okay, but requires a little finesse to setup. The Lee works, no setup required, and is inexpensive. Your setup is pretty cool, I will have to try and adapt my RCBS to a power setup.
I totally hear you, bro. I use Lee products myself for that same reason. But when it came to case trimming I was soooo frustrated with Zip Trim, especially when you need to trim 500 or more cases.
aside from the zip trim,what are the other two tools that you have?are they caliber specific?can you give me an items list as to what to get?i plan to reload .223 rem and .308 win.tnx.
@triggersafe I have a RCBS case trimmer. It comes with pilots for almost all cartridges and shell holders for all common cases. You need to set it up each time you change cartridges. I use calipers to help with this. I also recommend mounting it to a table, or to a 2x4 than can be held in a bench vise. It is okay, but not great. I prefer the Lee.
I also have a possum hollow kwick trim (or something like that) for 308 based cartridges. I haven't use it much. It is okay.
I doubt it. The brass is pretty soft compared to the steel of the barrel. Lots of other things to worry about as far as barrel wear is concerned (up to 60,000psi hot gasses). So long as the bullet seats in the case without any case deformation, and so long as the loaded round chambers okay, then everything should be fine.
@cdlcheck I loaded these pieces of brass as is. I guess they needed a little more deburing. You just want to take off the edge, not really chamfer the cartridge to much.
Bonjour bg77, just ordered my first mil surplus rifle so will be looking to cast & reload for it. Nice to see how easy the LEE trimmer is to use. I like LEE stuff good price & well made. Thanks for the vid.
how do measure how much to take off?
hardman476 2 weeks ago
@hardman476
The guide rod that you insert into the case is case specific. You just insert it into the case and cut until no more shavings come off. At that point your case is at the correct length. The end of the guide rod has a pin that goes through the flash hole and stops on the face of the jaws. The rod screws into the cutter. The case length is just the length of the rod between the tip of the rod and the shoulder where the cutting tool stops. Pretty simple setup.
bgallaher77 2 weeks ago
Obvious burrs after chamfering at 0:38 and 0:54. Did you go back and fix those, or are those burrs acceptable?
bobfre1 1 month ago
@bobfre1
Honestly I don't remember. I believe I used the cases as is. I am not sure what kind of effect this would have on accuracy. A burr might impact the concentric release of the bullet from the case neck during firing, but to what extend this will impact things on a larger level I wouldn't know. A burr might cause the bullet to hang up during seating and damage the case neck. I didn't notice this kind of thing.
bgallaher77 1 month ago
Wish you would have shown how consistently the case length was cut. Thanks for the vid
barnacle1brad 1 month ago
@barnacle1brad
Good point. I will measure a few next time I use the trimmer.
bgallaher77 1 month ago
Could someone help me out: when u resize with a die doesn't that trim the case also? Because people size then trim and it seems like a crap load of work... Plus u gotta debut and chamfer, clean and uniform the primer pocket and u still never added components to the damn thing so why do ppl trim also?
doughnutforlife 1 month ago
@doughnutforlife
I wouldn't worry about trimming a pistol case. For rifle cases they usually need a trim after one or two firings. Measure a few cases from the batch with some calipers to check length against the case specs.
bgallaher77 1 month ago
Great vid, good camera work too. Does the three jack chuck really make that much difference over the holder that comes with the unit?
Also do you tumble before or after resizing? Or does it matter?
Thanks
ThatDudeSirraj 3 months ago
Nice high res video. Easy to see the details of the 3 jaw case holder. Thanks.
mrgreg2110 3 months ago
oofa. that's definitely NOT the way to go for efficiency.
hemna 8 months ago
@hemna Looks pretty fast to be me. What would you recommend?
Mrcaffinebean 8 months ago
@Mrcaffinebean Standard holder and a cordless drill baby :D
GeneralG1810 6 months ago
@GeneralG1810
Sounds like a good idea. I tried using a cordless drill with the Lee cutter and Lee shell-holder and didn't like taking the brass on and off the drill. It was fast and I didn't miss the manual trimming. Check out my case prep video, that has a Possum Hollow trimmer, which rocks.
bgallaher77 6 months ago
I use to use a this setup and hated it. Got some blisters and soar fingers. I decided to invest a little more money, now it is much more pleasant experience. See my video response.
StrelokInDE 11 months ago
@StrelokInDE
One thing I like about the Lee setup is that is costs less than half what some of the other case trimmers on the market cost. I have an RCBS trimmer, and it is okay, but requires a little finesse to setup. The Lee works, no setup required, and is inexpensive. Your setup is pretty cool, I will have to try and adapt my RCBS to a power setup.
bgallaher77 11 months ago
@bgallaher77
I totally hear you, bro. I use Lee products myself for that same reason. But when it came to case trimming I was soooo frustrated with Zip Trim, especially when you need to trim 500 or more cases.
StrelokInDE 11 months ago
Do you need to buy the 3 jaw chuck on it's own or does it come with the Zip Trim?
AndrewTannerCA 11 months ago
@AndrewTannerCA
You have to buy it separately. It is so much faster than the shell holder than comes with the lee cutting pilot that it is worth the extra money.
bgallaher77 11 months ago
Is the 3 jaw chuck metal construction ?
spritrocks 11 months ago
@spritrocks
Yes, this is metal construction. I have trimmed over 500 cases in 223 Rem so far and it is holding up well.
bgallaher77 11 months ago
why dont polish the brass while you have it in the zip trim with some steel wool?
I just order a zip trim after watching your vid, so I can wait to get it.
52oggie 1 year ago
Good video. I like the close-ups.
MegaLitefoot 1 year ago
aside from the zip trim,what are the other two tools that you have?are they caliber specific?can you give me an items list as to what to get?i plan to reload .223 rem and .308 win.tnx.
triggersafe 1 year ago
@triggersafe I have a RCBS case trimmer. It comes with pilots for almost all cartridges and shell holders for all common cases. You need to set it up each time you change cartridges. I use calipers to help with this. I also recommend mounting it to a table, or to a 2x4 than can be held in a bench vise. It is okay, but not great. I prefer the Lee.
I also have a possum hollow kwick trim (or something like that) for 308 based cartridges. I haven't use it much. It is okay.
bgallaher77 1 year ago
@cdlcheck
I doubt it. The brass is pretty soft compared to the steel of the barrel. Lots of other things to worry about as far as barrel wear is concerned (up to 60,000psi hot gasses). So long as the bullet seats in the case without any case deformation, and so long as the loaded round chambers okay, then everything should be fine.
bgallaher77 1 year ago
@cdlcheck I loaded these pieces of brass as is. I guess they needed a little more deburing. You just want to take off the edge, not really chamfer the cartridge to much.
bgallaher77 1 year ago
Bonjour bg77, just ordered my first mil surplus rifle so will be looking to cast & reload for it. Nice to see how easy the LEE trimmer is to use. I like LEE stuff good price & well made. Thanks for the vid.
fusil56300 2 years ago