The Unofficial P64 Resource Forum

Anyone recommend a good and reasonably priced case trimmer?
I'm starting on reloading to keep the costs in check and have a mess of them to cut down.
raz

raz

the cheapest one out there is the lee

but I use this



NORM

Thanks, Norm. Are you talking about the hand-held Lee that I see in the bottom of the pic?
What is the model of your drill driven trimmer?
raz

raz


ITS A LYMAN



http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/case ... -combo.php


I bought mine used with no pilots almost 30 years ago

NORM

I'll have to back norm up that lyman unit is the way to go. I don't have the drill powered head but I do have that model in hand crank version. Works great even nice and simple to trim them by hand.

That is helpful....thanks.
I think I'm going to be good to go for reloading, except for a source of inexpensive lead.
Any suggestions?
I know you cast your own, Norm....how tricky is that? What about another source of either HP or FMJ?
raz

raz

with lead you don't need hollow point bullets they mush up pretty good on their own,
I wish I could help but I don't buy I lot of bullets any more , even rifle bullet I cast my own

NORM

Hay NORM,
I scored a Lyman universal case trimer at the Gun Broker auction site for $56.16 delivered. The day it arrived I applied a some elbow grease and some break free and started turning 9x19 cases into 9x18 cases. I timed my self from the time that I started pumping until the trim was finished and averaged six seconds per case, I plan to purchase an electric drill with my next pay check and dedicate it to trimming casings and save my thumb and forefinger for other uses. You mentioned that you bought the drill without pilots, are pilots unnecessary when you trim your cases?
G.R.

G.R.
pilots are necessary to keep cases strait and so the cutter evenly trims the case

NORM

Just got Midway's flyer today. They have a sale on both the Lyman and Lee Zip Trimmer.
www.midwayusa.com

My god man don't use you fingers on the lyman trimmer. Put the end of the handle in the palm of your hand don't need the pressure but it sure saves your fingers.

I bought a Lee Ziptrim from Midway with the 3 jaw adjustable shell holder, and the wooden handle trimmer. I had a little trouble with shell holder at first, I had to take it apart with some snap ring pliers 3 times to reset the jaws, but after that it started working right. You either need to buy a standard 9mm length guage and shorten it or a 9x18mm and turn down the guide where it goes into the mouth of the brass.

A couple of pulls and the cases are trimmed. I was suprised with how quickly you can get the job done. You can get a system going and convert a lot of scavanged range brass very quickly. I had been using a drill with the converter, but the ziptrim is much more convenient bolted to the bench and gives better control.

ipsd, my reloading bench is very utilitarian, not a lot of space so I have everything screwed down to varying size pieces of pine, that way when I want to use an item I simply clamp it to an appropriate space on the bench and have at it; several deep drawers and space below allows me to keep things neat and clean. It's not an ideal situation but it works for me.
Here is a question for NORM, can I cut down 9mm cases into 9x17 for my 380 pistols?
G.R.

GR
I don't really know , 380 is not one of the bullets I never wanted to reload , but I think the case head is to small , you would have to mic, it out, and see

NORM

No...............9 MM is tapered and .380's are straight. The 9 MM has a way bigger rim and is lots thicker.

http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quart ... carts.html

9mm Cartridge Specifications


9mm Parabellum 1902


Case Type.................Tapered
Case Length...............19.15
Case Opening..............9.03
Mouth Diameter............9.65
Base Diameter.............9.93
Extractor Base Diameter...9.96
Bullet Diameter........... .355"
Typical Bullet Weights....100,115,124,125,135,147gr

9mm Kurz/.380 Auto 1908


Case Type.................Straight
Case Length...............17.3mm
Case Opening..............9.02mm
Mouth Diameter............9.5mm
Base Diameter.............9.5mm
Extractor Base Diameter...9.5mm
Bullet Diameter...........
Typical Bullet Weights....90,95gr



9mm Makorov 1946


Case Type.................Very slight taper
Case Length...............18mm
Case Opening..............9.25mm
Mouth Diameter............9.85mm
Base Diameter.............9.90mm
Extractor Base Diameter...9.90mm
Bullet Diameter........... .365"
Typical Bullet Weights....95gr