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Thread: Trimming brass is the worst

  1. #1
    Boolit Master 358429's Avatar
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    Trimming brass is the worst

    I love/hate to do big batches so I don't miss any, so they are all deprimed/sized/cut the same. Giving the my fingers and the milwaukee a workout. Don't ever scratch your eyes with brass swarfy fingers
    When I'm done the hundreds of mixed 308 cases gonna take a 3 hour bath in the frankfurt with the stainless steel pins and dawn. I suppose the future return will be worth it.

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  2. #2
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    Winger Ed.'s Avatar
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    Not my favorite pass time either.

    I trim mine down right down to the minimum length so I'll not have to do it again before the case
    is pretty much worn out.
    In school: We learn lessons, and are given tests.
    In life: We are given tests, and learn lessons.


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  3. #3
    Boolit Buddy
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    Not that big of a deal with Dillon trimmer and I don’t even use case feeder, because I apply lube to every case; for me it’s deprime, size and trim at a single handle pull.

  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy
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    drill press

    Small drill press has worked very well for me the pictures may be side ways I don't know why I turned 30-06 in to 308
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails IMG_0858.jpg  

  5. #5
    Boolit Master 358429's Avatar
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    I turned the the picture for you. The brake line tool is creative re-engineering How did you come up with the idea, that is fantastic!!

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  6. #6
    Boolit Master 358429's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by kayala View Post
    Not that big of a deal with Dillon trimmer and I don’t even use case feeder, because I apply lube to every case; for me it’s deprime, size and trim at a single handle pull.
    That sounds really awesome. I'm over here making my fingers stronger; lee hand press and electric drill!

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  7. #7
    Boolit Master 358429's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Winger Ed. View Post
    Not my favorite pass time either.

    I trim mine down right down to the minimum length so I'll not have to do it again before the case
    is pretty much worn out.
    Yes my trim length is 2.00"

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  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy
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    you may want to look into the worlds cheapest trimmer
    I give you credit for having the patience to do that much brass with the lee tools.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master Targa's Avatar
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    I use the Lee trimmer as well, works great but man I hate doing it.

  10. #10
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    Another Lee trimmer here, it is tedious but I don't find it too bad. I bought the basic trimmer cutter and made my own wooden handle for it out of 2 inch dowel rod, works great.

  11. #11
    Boolit Grand Master
    Mk42gunner's Avatar
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    I really don't like trimming brass for ordinary cartridges.

    I started using the Lee system, then graduated to a couple of different lathe type trimmers; a Forrester and a Lyman.

    I'm not to sure the Lee system isn't the best of the under $100 types. Especially if you can live with their decision on length.

    Robert

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    The issue I have with the Lee system is it is fixed and at that, it is also fixed at a longer length than minimum trim length.

    I have threatened to carefully grind the piece that sets the length down to alleviate that issue.

    Three44s
    Quote Originally Posted by Bret4207

    “There is more to this than dumping lead in a hole.”

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
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    I had been using a Lyman Universal with a drill attachment for a couple of years until SWMBO bought me a Worlds Finest Trimmer 2 with the removable inserts for multiple calibers for my birthday. Trimmed a few hundred 223 in no time with the Milwaukee. Awesome tool and my hands don't get tired.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master 358429's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Three44s View Post
    The issue I have with the Lee system is it is fixed and at that, it is also fixed at a longer length than minimum trim length.

    I have threatened to carefully grind the piece that sets the length down to alleviate that issue.

    Three44s
    Use a file and shorten the cutter stud.
    If you mess up the replacement part is $7.
    That's how I cut to 1.23" the 357 mag brass , to work with the miha hollow points, and fit the cylinders of my guns. Overall length of the loaded ammunition is 1.60".

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  15. #15
    Boolit Master 358429's Avatar
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    My work is cut out for me.

    Single piece of 9mm brass, in the foreground, for scale.

    My guess is the wheel bearing box weighs 8-10 pounds of 308 brass.

    They are a tumblin' now, rock and roll with dawn and pins. They will look like jewelry, tomorrow.


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  16. #16
    Boolit Master
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    I've got those Little Crow trimmers for .223, 30-30 and .308. Works well and is fast. https://www.littlecrowgunworks.com/
    "If everyone is thinking the same thing it means someone is not thinking"

    "A rat became the unit of currency"

  17. #17
    Boolit Master Half Dog's Avatar
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    +1 for the Dillon trimmer. I borrowed one once and the experience was awesome. It fits perfectly in my RCBS press and the results just made me smile.
    The sooner I fall behind...the more time I have to catch up with

  18. #18
    Boolit Master
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    My bottle neck case trimming involves using a Lyman Universal for heavy trims and a Wilson for finishing up (where I have holders for).

    Three44s
    Quote Originally Posted by Bret4207

    “There is more to this than dumping lead in a hole.”

  19. #19
    Boolit Master
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    I always hated to trim. Then I found DaCam power adaptors to my Forster and Lyman
    NRA Endowment Member
    International Ammunition Association
    New York, the Empire State Where Empires were Won and Lost

  20. #20
    Boolit Buddy Wild Bill 7's Avatar
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    I use the Dillon trimmer also. 223, 30-06. Very fast, just lube a bunch of cases and it’s almost over before you know it. I do clean and deprime before trimming. Then run them through the dry media tumbler with Nu Finish to keep them shinny.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check