L.E. Wilson case trimmer question

R

Ricky Bobby

New member
I'm thinking about purchasing one of these from MidwayUSA. Anyway, it looks to me that you have to purchase a seperate case holder for the caliber that you're wanting to trim. My question is for my .204 it only list a case holder for 20tactical/204 FIRED ONLY cases, which one do I need for new brass or fully resized brass? I never seen anyother .204 case holders listed on their site. I guess I could call them if I have to and ask them.
 
yes, you have to have a seperate holder for each caliber. However, some holders will work for multiple calibers example as 270 win and 30-06. I have the 204 Ruger holder for "fired cases only", though I have yet to use it. It is my understanding that cases with minimal body taper need to be fired first to expand and therefore fit snugly into the holder. So, new brass or FL sized brass will not work with that holder.
 
I've got the Wilson trimmer and use it a LOT for .204......but I don't trim new cases. Most new cases are at or below trim length to start with, so no need to trim. Trim length, I think, for the .204 is at 1.840 (better check on your own). However the measured length of my Cooper rifle is 1.870. My brass may not "have" to be trimmed after several firings, but I trim to get consistent brass. The Wilson trimmer is very accurate, but slower than other trimmers.
 
I won't be into speed anyway! I'm just starting out. Doubt I ever load for really large amounts either. I just thought that if I buy new brass that it could vary some in length and I may want to trim them for consistency! Wouldn't think it would vary by much, though.
 
sorry for the goof, had not had my mountain dew yet.
blushing.gif
 
Last edited:
With the Wilson you can use the same case holder for multiple cases,as long as it's close. You may just have to stop & measure more often though. I bought the Wilson when I started 204 reloading.
 
Ricky,

I would just buy the "fired" case holder when an "unfired" and
"fired" version is offered. IIRC for unfired cases they
just slip deeper into the case holder. If after you get
working with the a particular case, and this is an issue,
you can always add an "unfired" holder to the case holer
collection. I have not had to do this yet, and I have a
pretty good collection of case holders.

As for not trimming new brass, that is a silly notion.
Even Lapua brass needs to be trimmed and squared up.

Squeeze

P.S. The 204 Ruger does not use the same case holder for
223 Rem.
 
I have the l.e. wilson trimmer. The case holder works for all chambering based off the parent cartridge. For example a 30-06 case holder will also work for a 6-06, 6.5-06, 270, 280, etc..... To answer your question I would look for the 222 remington magnum. I beleive that is the parent cartridge for the 204.
 
rickybobby:

Typically, I trim cases AFTER full-length resizing as resizing stretches the case a bit....

If just neck sizing the case, none/not much stretch, but I typically trim after that step too just to be consistent, I guess...
 
Back
Top