Shell Trimmers

[Utah Paunsaugunt guy]

I live in Southern Utah and have a ranchon the famed Paunsaugunt mule deer hunting area. I have reloaded for my old Winchester 70A for years. I have never trimmed the cases. I now want to do so. What trimmer would you recommend and what parts do I need to go with it. I only reload a 100 or so shells a year. I have been looking at RCBS Or Forstner. I would appreciate some recommendations and info. Thanks!
Utah Paunsaugunt guy.

[ShootingStar]

While I don't reload the same caliber as you do, I have used both the Lee hand trimmer and the Dillon power trimmer. Obviously, the dillon would be way overkill as it's great for trimming a lot of cases quickly, but since you don't reload much, I would have to recommend the Lee. It worked fine for me for those first few loading as I didn't need high volume when I was getting started.

One of the books that I have on precision reloading for High-Power rifle shooting recommended the Forester over any other. The reason given was that it gave a very precise cut. Unfortunately, I had already purchased the Dillon by the time I read this. I'm happy with it though and the price was right.

If money is no object, then get the Forester. The Lee, however, was less than $20 when I bought it and would allow you to invest the money saved in something else. Maybe a Redding micrometer adjustable bullet seating die.... It's pretty nice to have if you use different kinds of bullets as it's adjustment is easier and bullet seating is more precise. Something to think about.

-ss

[45Carrier]

I will assume the 70A being long action will be in a .270 since they were popular.

One of the easiest, and fastest ways to trim rifle brass without dropping the bucks for a Giraud or a Dillon is a Possum Hollow Kwik Trim.

They trim from the datum, and in my experience deliver very square and precise cuts.

I run mine in a drill press, but a good friend of mine uses a drill motor with excellent results. Takes a lot of the tedium out of the process and costs a whole lot less than a powered (and most manual) trimmer.

You will need a caliber specific trimmer ($16 when I got mine about 1½ yrs ago) :

http://www.possumhollowproducts.com/kwi ... mmers.html

And the Power Adapter ($12) :

http://www.possumhollowproducts.com/power-adapter.html

The power adapter fits a range of trimmers so you only need one.

Best bang for the buck in case trimming available today in my opinion.

HTH

45Carrier