• The Shot You’ll Never Forget Giveaway - Enter To Win A Barrel From Rifle Barrel Blanks!

    Tell us about the best or most memorable shot you’ve ever taken. Contest ends June 13th and remember: subscribe for a better chance of winning!

    Join contest Subscribe

recomendations on case prep machine?

D

dave338

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 1, 2009
377
1
51
EU
#1
hi all
thought one of the case prep machines from hornaday or lyman would be better than the cordless drill , which never seems charged when you need it ,
anyone have one , quality or rubbish? the hornaday looks nice and small the lyman looks plastic , both do what im looking for , chamfer in/out and primer pocket uniform,
if you have one let me know what you think
cheers
 
#2
Re: recomendations on case prep machine?

I'm running the Hornady case prep center and I like it alot. Only thing is I wish the toolheads spun a little faster and there was a mic on the trimmer. It is a bit on the pricey side. I was frustrated with the trimmer when I first used it. I was getting inconsistant lengths when I was trimming 223/556 brass, I realized it's a feel thing, apply light pressure and it'll yield great results all the time IMHO. The Hornady's case prep center is a heavy beast.

I have no experience with Lyman but I have heard great things about the RCBS. The bits for the Hornady case prep center and RCBS trim mate use the same threads. I believe they're 8-32 threads? Anything with that thread pattern will screw right in.

I can't imagine doing all the chamfering and brushing manually now, carpel tunnel and tendinitis sucks. I'd imagine if you don't load too much at once, you probably won't need it. I do several hundred for my ARs each time so for me it's worth it.
 
#3
Re: recomendations on case prep machine?

I've got the RBCS. It has several good uses. I don't know if it would uniform the primer pocket very well since I usually have to push pretty hard on that step and it may overload the motor. I use another tool for that. The only negative I can think of is that there needs to be a 'lock' button to lock down all the stations. Once a tool is screwed on and has been tightened by being used, it is hell trying to get it off. The whole motor/gear assembly turns backward when you try.
 
#6
Re: recomendations on case prep machine?

dont need a giraud yet , and use two wilson trimmers with mics is very easy and fast to set up for new cals , also gives a very accurate oal , not sure how accurate the giuard is as it going of shoulder datum point ? , even on twice fired brass using the hornaday guages there is some fluctuations on the head space measurments,
any way the new hornaday case prep assistant trio , has three working tool heads , whick i think will be better than a drill , but not seen one so unsure which hornaday or lyman would be the better quality
 
#8
Re: recomendations on case prep machine?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Giraud trimmer and a cordless drill is what I use </div></div>

What's the cordless drill for if you have a giraud?
 
#9
Re: recomendations on case prep machine?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: zmann</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Giraud trimmer and a cordless drill is what I use </div></div>

What's the cordless drill for if you have a giraud? </div></div>

Cleaning primer pockets maybe.

427, so you trim in the Giraud after every firing, basically to chamfer and debur?

I have the RCBS case prep center and really like it. I do have a Giraud on order, finally, so I"m curious to hear 427Cobra's method of case prepping. Maybe I won't need the case prep center anymore.
 
#10
Re: recomendations on case prep machine?

I've had good luck trimming with an RCBS and an electric drill. Primer pockets and chamfer/debur are handled on two drill presses. I processed about 150 cases in a little over an hour using these methods this past week. I just chuck a Lee chamfer/debur tool into the press and run it at 300rpm.
 
#12
Re: recomendations on case prep machine?

I use stainless media and a giraud. I'm not a benchrester, and accuracy somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 moa is more than adequate for my purposes.
 
#13
Re: recomendations on case prep machine?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dave338</div><div class="ubbcode-body">hi all
thought one of the case prep machines from hornaday or lyman would be better than the cordless drill , which never seems charged when you need it ,
anyone have one , quality or rubbish? the hornaday looks nice and small the lyman looks plastic , both do what im looking for , chamfer in/out and primer pocket uniform,
if you have one let me know what you think
cheers </div></div>

I've used the RCBS Trim Mate for about six years and can't complain. At about $100 steet price, it's been a good tool for me.

Chris
 
#14
Re: recomendations on case prep machine?

I have the Lyman universal flash hole uniformer screwed into my rcbs case prepper. Thus far, Hornady's and Lyman's tools have all worked with it. Great tool to have...between that and my chargemaster, I started my reloading life very spoiled
wink.gif
 
#16
Re: recomendations on case prep machine?

I use my cordless drill to
Uniform the primer pockets, I use a Sinclair Uniformimg tool
Deburr the flash hole from the inside, again I use a Sinclair Gen2 tool

I then FL Win 7-08 brass into 260 Rem without the expander, I then expand the neck with a 21st Century expander mandrel
Trim with my Giraud
Turn the necks with a 21st Century turner to .0133, which is a skim on some and 100% on some
Clean the lube off and shoot

To reload the brass I prepped as above I decap the brass, clean with SS media, FL size it with a .288 bushing with Reddings floating carbide expander ball that barely touches the inside, trim with the Giraud, prime charge seat shoot, I do anneal every 5 firings using my cordless drill with a 9/16 deep socket to hold and spin the brass.
 
#17
Re: recomendations on case prep machine?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use my cordless drill to
Uniform the primer pockets, I use a Sinclair Uniformimg tool
Deburr the flash hole from the inside, again I use a Sinclair Gen2 tool

I then FL Win 7-08 brass into 260 Rem without the expander, I then expand the neck with a 21st Century expander mandrel
Trim with my Giraud
Turn the necks with a 21st Century turner to .0133, which is a skim on some and 100% on some
Clean the lube off and shoot

To reload the brass I prepped as above I decap the brass, clean with SS media, FL size it with a .288 bushing with Reddings floating carbide expander ball that barely touches the inside, trim with the Giraud, prime charge seat shoot, I do anneal every 5 firings using my cordless drill with a 9/16 deep socket to hold and spin the brass. </div></div>

You cheap joker, buy the giraud annealer. (so i can use it too).
 
#22
Re: recomendations on case prep machine?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OldTex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've got the RBCS. It has several good uses. I don't know if it would uniform the primer pocket very well since I usually have to push pretty hard on that step and it may overload the motor. I use another tool for that. The only negative I can think of is that there needs to be a 'lock' button to lock down all the stations. Once a tool is screwed on and has been tightened by being used, it is hell trying to get it off. The whole motor/gear assembly turns backward when you try. </div></div>

One of the stations has flats for a wrench to aid in tool removal.
 
#23
Re: recomendations on case prep machine?

I have the RCBS machine and have been using it for about six years now.

It does what it says it does and is convenient. I like it, particularly, for getting new brass ready. Seems like every brand of brass can benefit from chamfering the case mouth before sizing/expanding and bullet seating for the first time.

I have done long stretches of work with it (1K .223) and it gets pretty tedious.

I always put my gloves on before working with the machine as my fingers get pretty sore after a dozen, or so rounds.

These machines would be greatly improved by the development of some kind of simple, easy to use, hand held case holder.
 
#24
Re: recomendations on case prep machine?

looks like RCBS is king , does anyone have the new hornaday case prep tool now with 3 heads , its quite a bit cheaper over here compared to rcbs
just looked , the rcbs has five powered stations so perhaps its the better buy?
 
#26
Re: recomendations on case prep machine?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dave338</div><div class="ubbcode-body">questions on the rcbs , are the two chamfer tools [outside/inside neck]that come with it removable ? </div></div>


Yes... And I would consider replacing the inside chamfer right away.
 
#27
Re: recomendations on case prep machine?

I've got the Hornady case prep center, yes it is pricey and the trimmer does have a learning curve but now that I'm used to it I'd recommend it to anyone, really speeds things up!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

K
Case prep, how do you do it for .223?
Replies
4
Views
358
MarshallDodge
M
A
Case Prep: What are you using?
Replies
26
Views
2K
simonp
simonp
Rocketmandb
Does "Over-Annealing" Impact Shot Dynamics?
Replies
55
Views
2K
Kiwi Palma
K
S
Reloading Equipment Gracey Case Prep Machines
Replies
2
Views
834
Barzor
B
Gtar
Frankford Arsenal case trimmer upgrades
Replies
13
Views
3K
Bowhunter-tw
B
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Merch
Alerts