Calipers ?? Case Trimmers ??

Hidalgo

Hidalgo

Well-known member
Which brand of calipers are you using when you reload?

Are you using digital, or dial?

Which case trimmer do you prefer?

I gotta get this equipment purchased and on the bench soon, and don't want to spend my funds in the wrong place.

Thanks Guys!

I just want to say that you guys have already made my new venture into metallic reloading MUCH, MUCH easier than it would have been otherwise.

Thank you to all of you who have been so patient with my ignorance and sometimes foolish questions. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
I use a Cabela's dial caliper which works fine, and I have a lyman case trimmer, but would have prefered to get the rcbs model. My friend got a lyman so I did also, then he baught a rcbs and I like that better also. Good luck!
 
RCBS Trimpro and Lyman dial caliper. One thing thats on my list is a digital scale or at least something easier to use than the RCBS 505 im using now. Its always jumping the sliders on the beam and I have to check it every throw to see its still set correctly. Being relatively new I still weigh each charge just for safety reasons.

Dave
 
I use a dial caliper, that's all you really need for a caliper.

I've been using a Lyman case trimmer, and that's good enough to work with a bolt action rifle, I'm going to be getting a Giraud for 223, shooting my ARs goes through so much ammo I need the Giraud for 223, it's expensive but worth it.

http://www.giraudtool.com/
 
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One thing thats on my list is a digital scale.... Dave



Grunter, I also have my eye on either the Lyman 1200 or the RCBS scale. Expensive, but I agree with you that it looks like the best way to go.
 
I use dial Calipers and a Forster Case Trimmer

but my recomendation on Case Trimmers, and many other reloading tools, is
to consider your local sources for these tools. My Forster is a very good trimmer but no store around here stocks parts. So if I need a new pilot or someother part, I have to wait to get it shipped in.
On the other hand, many of the local sporting good stores handle RCBS parts and pieces, and according to another reloader that works in my office, he has no issues with how the RCBS trimmer does it's job, and there's no waiting if a part is needed.
 
For precision handload, I like the Forster trimmer the best and it's not much more than the lyman.
As for caliper, any good dial should do, I collect a few over the years, I have a Mitutoyo, a B&S and I just bought a Elcheapo China made (Midway) for the range box and they all read same.
 
I have a good dial caliper, but went out and bought a cheap digital caliper like one that was given to my Uncle a few years ago. The cheap digital was from Harbor Freight for around $15.00 and I have checked it against the dial one and both read the same the same. Just keep extra batteries, it goes thru them real fast....JOHN
 
Hidalgo,
Do yourself a favor and buy a Lee case trimming system. They work great, practically foolproof and VERY CHEAP. The lock stud and cutter cost a whopping $3.50, then you order the shellholder and trim length gauge (caliber specific) for another $3.50. That's $7 for a caliber specific trimmer that's almost impossible to screw up with. Then for each additional caliber you work with it's another $3.50
You can either trim by hand or it fits in a power screwdriver. I use the driver and not only trim with it, but chamfer and deburr, all in the same operation. I have both RCBS and Forster case trimmers, but finally settled on the Lee. Quick, easy and foolproof.
Matter of fact, if you want to ignore me and decide to go for RCBS I have one I'll sell you, along with a bunch of pilots, shellholders and even 4 of the 3-way cutters. A 24, a 25, a 27 and a 28 cal. I'll let it all go cheap.
Try the Lee stuff, if at a later date you decide to try something else you'll have very little invested.

One other thing. If you go with the Lee stuff splurge another $3.50 and get the cutter with the ball handle. You hold the power driver in one hand, it holds and spins the case, you hold the cutter in the other hand and the ball fits your palm nicely. It's easy on the fingers, especially if you have a little Arthritis like me.
The cutter has a caliber specific steel rod coming out of the center, it has a small steel pin on the end that fits through the flash hole in the case and butts against the shellholder. You trim the length of the pin to your desired length on an oilstone or something, say 2.484" for a 25-06. Then every time you insert the rod in the case the flash hole pin acts as a stop. You just spin the case with the driver until it quits cutting, usually only a couple seconds. When you measure the case it'll be 2.484, every time. Foolproof.
 
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I am a machinist by trade so I use a Brown & Sharpe dial caliper identical to the one I use at work. I have used a Lyman case trimmer for many years with good success. I also use Lyman and RCBS beam scales every few rounds I will check whichever one I'm using at the time with the other one. FWIW I still weigh every charge when I load rifle ammo.

Bob
 
I would go with the B&S,Starrett,or Mitutoyo...they are all good calipers and I will use no other than a wilson case trimmer with case holders. They provide a very true square trim cut with no webble wobble when turning the cutter shaft !! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
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