Better Inexpensive Brass Trimmer - L.E. Wilson or Lee?

[Liquid Rhino]

Just looking for your input on these inexpensive trimmer options - I was looking specifically at the offerings from Lee & L.E. Wilson (or any other?).

I'd be looking into trimming .223 & .308 in small-to-medium batches of around 50-200rds at a time manually (or is this crazy?). The Lee looks nice as it's uses pre-sized inserts based on cartridge, but the L.E. Wilson looks like it's less fatiguing on the hands altogether.

I may invest in a power trimmer later on, however my funds are tight for now as it's a hefty penny just getting the rest of my reloading equipment.

Your experience & suggestions would be much appreciated!

[agalindo]

Can't speak for the L.E. Wilson but I have a Lee trimmer and what I've done is put the "shell holder" end on to a power drill. That way I insert the cutter into the case and start the drill. Still a bit of a pain but not as much as doing it by hand.

[yochujr]

I have both and they both work fine. If you're going to do lower lower volumes of super accurate rifle cases, I would probably reccomend the Wilson because it seems to be more robust but if you're doing larger runs, I think the Lee in a drill would work fine.

[EricCartmann]

Lee Ball cutter with cordless power drill is what I use. What slows you down is taking off the brass and putting a new brass on the shell holder.

This setup will do me fine till I save up enough FRN's for a Giraud Trimmer. The Giraud not only trims, it also chamfers the inside and outside.

10 cases in one minute!

YouTube - Giraud Tool Company Power Trimmer

[Liquid Rhino]

OK, one last question - I feel almost stupid asking this.. but does the pre-sized length stem on the Lee system require the brass be deprimed first or will it cut to proper length with a spent primer in place?

I just can't picture it, but it wouldn't seem efficient to have to deprime before trimming.

[EricCartmann]

Originally Posted by Liquid Rhino

OK, one last question - I feel almost stupid asking this.. but does the pre-sized length stem on the Lee system require the brass be deprimed first or will it cut to proper length with a spent primer in place?

I just can't picture it, but it wouldn't seem efficient to have to deprime before trimming.

yes

it has to be deprime before trimming. but this is a good thing since you should cut when it's length is max, and it is max after re-sizing because the resize process itself makes the case grow.

you actually don't have trim after every range trip, probably every 2-3 trips, but with 223 I trim after every trip just for the piece of mind and the fact that i have no life . also the 223 has a small base size and will grow more than 308.

[scalce]

I vote for the Possum Hollow trimmers.

I have one for 223 and one for 308.

[EricCartmann]

Originally Posted by scalce

I vote for the Possum Hollow trimmers.

I have one for 223 and one for 308.

I was looking at that. That is pretty cool little device.

[WyoXD]

I use an RCBS with the 3 way cutter and cordless drill adapter--I'm pretty happy with this setup.

[yochujr]

Originally Posted by scalce

I vote for the Possum Hollow trimmers.

I have one for 223 and one for 308.

I'm not really familiar with the Possum Hollow. How exactly does it work?