The best case trimmers are needed for trimming cases: a job that every reloader looking to recycle their cartridges do. You can’t skip the job unless you’re up to purchasing a new one every time you load those bullets. And back in the days, you have no other ways than using a manual trimmer by turning your hand on the case that has been put on the holder.
It simply takes way too much time.
Seeing that the method isn’t exactly the most effective or maybe how your recent trimmer is probably losing its edge it used to have when you first had it, here’s the review you’ve been waiting for. The case trimmer you should get next for a better reloading experience!
Top 3 Best Case Trimmer in 2023
- Lyman’S Case Trim Xpress Gives Rifle Reloaders The Speed And Accuracy That They Have Been Looking For When Trimming Cases.
- The Unit Has Its Own Power Source, And A Strong Variable Speed Motor, So There Is No Need To Use Power Drills Or Purchase Separate Motors.
- By Using Bushings That Contact On The Shoulder Of Bottle Neck Type Cases, The Case Trim Xpress Will Quickly And Cleanly Trim Your Brass By Simply Pushing The Case Against The Long-Lasting Carbide Cutter.
- The Trimmer Comes With 10 Bushings Designed To Fit Most Popular Bottleneck Rifle Cases
- Trim virtually all cases from .22 to .458 without additional collets
- Includes 9 of the most popular pilots
- Trims 22, 24, 27, 28/7mm, 30, 9mm, 35 (38/357) 44 and 45A
- Optional power adapter available
- EASE OF USE: Trimmer indexes cases on the shoulder for speed and precision
- VERSATILE: Adjustable Collet System works with all shouldered cases from .17 Remington to .460 Weatherby
- DURABLE: The HSS cutters stay sharp for thousands of rounds to make trimming quick and easy and the heavy-duty motor and drivetrain are optimized for durability and performance
- BE PREPARED: Built-in storage box holds extra tools and keeps everything ready and organized
- INCLUDES: Inside chamfer tool, deburr tool, large and small primer pocket cleaning tools and a trimmer with 3 collets and 6 shoulder bushings
Last update on 2023-12-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These 3 case trimmers have their own strengths and can depend on your own preferences. Each brand has a different type of case trimmers and you may have your own preferences or budget that you want to stand-by.
1. Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Case Trim and Prep System
- EASE OF USE: Trimmer indexes cases on the shoulder for speed and precision
- VERSATILE: Adjustable Collet System works with all shouldered cases from .17 Remington to .460 Weatherby
- DURABLE: The HSS cutters stay sharp for thousands of rounds to make trimming quick and easy and the heavy-duty motor and drivetrain are optimized for durability and performance
- BE PREPARED: Built-in storage box holds extra tools and keeps everything ready and organized
- INCLUDES: Inside chamfer tool, deburr tool, large and small primer pocket cleaning tools and a trimmer with 3 collets and 6 shoulder bushings
Last update on 2023-12-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Frankford Arsenal is the best case trimmer that works differently and amazingly quick for us. It has 4 different functions. It trims, chamfers, deburrs and cleans your primer socket in 5 seconds. The whole set is portable and all the tools can be kept in the case that’s attached to the machine.
The Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Case Trim and Prep come with the four mentioned tools, 3 collets, and 6 shoulder bushings to trim various cartridges into the sizes that you want.
Pros:
2. Hornady 050140 Cam-Lock Case Trimmer
- Accurate, Consistent Case Lengths - this Hornady Cam Lock Case Trimmer 050140 is a unique instrument that use standard Hornady removable shell holder heads and accurately restores fired cases to the correct length no matter the thickness of the cartridge rim
- Micro Adjust Cutter - the lever locks the case in place and allows .001-inch changes without moving the case. Plus, its large diameter, replaceable cutting head is made of ultra-hard tool steel and trims cases up to 50 caliber. Cartridge case trimmer holds the case square with the cutter for precision trimming
- High Precision & Tough Durability - this Hornady case trimmer shell holder system features a lever that you turn to lock the case securely in the shell holder so you can feed the case cleanly onto the cutter pilot. All trim lengths are measured from the head of the cartridge
- Product Features - this brass case trimmer includes 7 of the most popular pilot sizes: 22 cal, 6mm, 270 cal, 7mm, 30 cal, 38 cal and 45 cal. Base Length: 8 x 2.5 inches (L x W)
- Instructions - affix to bench with 4 screw holes (mounting hardware not included). Use only Hornady shell holders with the Cam-Lock Trimmer
Last update on 2023-12-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The case trimmer here works with brass from Hornady only and makes it the choice for those who use the brand. It has easy prep and no electricity needed, while it’s manual and has to be turned by hand. But it’s a great choice for those of you who look forward to simplicity (and budget!). Comes in red color.
The trimmer can be attached to the bench and comes with 7 pilots for various mouth sizes. Adjusting it is as easy as locking the brass on the right case holder and adjust the length of the trimmer so it’ll stop at the right point. The handle is designed to allow you to use your palm to turn the handle and trim. Rinse and repeat!
Pros:
Cons:
3. Lyman Universal Trimmer with 9 Pilot Multi-Pack Trims .17 Cal to .458 Cal
- Trim virtually all cases from .22 to .458 without additional collets
- Includes 9 of the most popular pilots
- Trims 22, 24, 27, 28/7mm, 30, 9mm, 35 (38/357) 44 and 45A
- Optional power adapter available
Last update on 2023-12-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Lyman Universal Trimmer works similarly to the Hornady’s. The major differences are in the color and the handle’s shape. While the Hornady’s shape is much like a flattened cone, Lyman’s uses a knurled handle which can be changed into a drill as well. It can also be attached to a power adapter which is sold separately. And it comes in the color of orange.
Similarly, Lyman trimmer case can be screwed to the bench as the offset is provided there. It comes with 9 different pilots instead of 7 to give even better precision depending on cartridge size. The brass is locked in place similar to the Hornady’s; loosening and tightening the brass by turning the lever can easily be repeated.
Pros:
Con:
How Does A Case Trimmer Work?
Various case trimmers work differently from each other. Almost all companies produce both the manual and automatic prep center. Manual case trimmer has a lock and handles turning system that has been made more convenient and precise. While the handles were initially made to be manually turned, they can be easily replaced with a driller to fasten the whole process.
Before trimming, one has to find the right case holder and size it by trimming one case before hand or follow the manuals that come with it. After you size the first case you trim, adjust it and there, you have got your trimming template. The case holder uses a sort of locking system by turning to loosen and tighten.
Lee trimming system is different in that it makes use of the reloading press. You only need to adjust the length of the screw and manually turns the handle to trim it. While a prep center is automated with three different trimmers. There’s a small adjustment needed depending on the length of the cartridge you want and the other two are for cleaning the mouth of the brass.
Things To Consider Before Choosing A Case Trimmer
Before you rush to the Amazon to get that new prep center or case trimmer, be sure that you’ve done a quick homework on them. They might not look that complicated, but choosing the right one will save you the pain of turning the handle hundreds of times while pouting or bewildered by the automated machine that seems to screw with your usually precise feelings.
Advantages Of Having A Case Trimmer
A lot of times, we see brass in much less good condition, but not at the size we want. Others might notice that the mouth is a little cracked and wants to salvage what’s left by trimming the cracked edge. Whichever it is, here’s a good reason to get a case trimmer:
Conclusion
Once you get your case trimmer, you’ll know how much time you will be able to save in the long-run. You don’t have to worry about buying new cartridges every time you want to reload. A case trimmer isn’t exactly costly considering the cutters and pilots can be used for a very long term.
The Frankford is the best value that we have to recommend due to how there are many tools available in a single device. The Lyman is our next favorite guy being a universal trimmer and trims a brass like a pro. The Hornady is a great addition for Hornady lovers and we love the handle shape that makes it easy to turn and trim with the palm of your hand.
See other Related Buyer’s guides:
Thanks for the reviews on this and other equipment. I think I heard you say to trim then rotate the brass 180 degrees and trim again to make sure it’s square. If the first trim isn’t square, rotating the brass 180 and trimming again will not make it square, it will make the next shaped like a tubular spearhead. Sloped so slightly you can’t see it, bu tit will not be square. If the machine doesn’t trim square on the initial insertion, it is defective
Hi Gavin thanks for the review, However, how does the Lyman compare to your earlier reviews of the L.E. Wilson case trimmer with the micrometer and slow speed drill attachment you reviewed. BTW I always enjoy your video however I get confused as which you recommend since you seem to review something new every week. Therefore which I would buy is always a toss-up when comparing similar tools with all the reviews you have published. In addition, I will be waiting to hear your final recommendation for Single Stage press reviews you have mentioned in a shoot out.
This is a very good presentation as are all of your discussions that you provide to us. I would like to suggest that when you evaluate a (new product) that a comparison be made to another product of the same function in order to benchmark the results of the new product. Of all your products, you may have the opinion of a “favorite” and why for comparison to the new product evaluations.
I used mine for the first time yesterday for 30-06 brass. I couldn’t believe how easy it was to adjust and use. Now I don’t dread trimming rifle brass. Now they need to come up with some kind of adapter for straight walled brass.
A quick comment to the folks talking about the varying trim lengths; those aren’t a result of this case trimmer being “inaccurate”. Any case trimmer that uses the case shoulder to index (such as the Giraud, WFT, Frankford Arsenal, Lyman etc.) will only cut as accurately as your shoulder bump. You’ll notice in the video he’s getting varying trim lengths on the .308 batches; this is most likely a result of him using mixed headstamp brass, unannealed brass that has a mixed number of firings; or his sizing die is setup to ‘over bump’ the shoulder beyond what is required, and you’re seeing the varying springback in the brass. Regardless, it’s not an issue with the trimmer. The adjustment on where the trimmer indexes never changes/moves.
You can think of any ‘shoulder indexing’ case trimmer as effectively the same thing as a trimming headspace comparator. Any deviation in the brass is going to show up in your trim lenghts. As a result, to get an accurate trim (within .001 across ~100 cases), the rest of your process needs to be wire tight (same headstamp, annealing each firing, dies setup properly). That said, having a few thousandths (.001-.005) difference in brass length is not going to affect your groups at all, at any range, or any discipline.
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Sorry Mate but it is incorrect to say that the Hornady Trimmer will only trim Hornady Brass. I have one and it will trim any brand of brass.
However you do have to use Hornady Shell Holders the the center hole of which is slightly larger than other Manufacturers. The centre hole of other Shell Holder brands will not allow the locking pin of the Trimmer to protrude and lock the case.
My experience is with .308 and .222 brass of various makes.
I have tried them all including Wilson and I prefer the Hornady over all others.
Good review nonetheless.