I need some help figuring out a problem. I use the Lyman Ezee trim system with the interchangeable pilots to trim my cases. I reload several different rifle calibers. When I trim my 270 cases I run into issues. The brass doesn’t fit onto the pilots correctly. It is so tight that often the brass will get stuck on the trimmer as I am trimming. I will then use my bullet puller to knock the pilot out of the brass. It has to be something with my resizing die. I have broken several pilots trying to get brass off once it is stuck so it isn’t the pilot. The other calibers that I reload for I have not had this problem. What am I missing here??
Case trimming help needed
- Thread starter ReloadKy
- Start date
condor bravo
New member
Since the problem is with several pilots, the pilot size must be OK at .273, thereby making the sizing die suspect. It could then be that the expander button in the die is undersize resulting in a tight neck after sizing. If so, that could be further confirmed if bullets seem to require extreme force for bullet seating. Then perhaps a new expander stem and button would cure the problem. Measure the expander button to further confirm that possibility. My guess is that it should be around .275. If below .273 the expander is probably the culprit.
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I am fond of the M dies to expand a case right and it works far better than in the sizer button things (those have all been milled down or removed and no longer any affect)
If you do enough trimming I would strongly suggest a Gerard Tri Trimmer. Chucks up in a drill, if you have a vice you can put the drill in the vice an gently clamp it in and you are fully automated. I can do 300 in 10 or 15 minutes. Its an off the shoulder index system which should odd but it works gangbusters.
http://www.giraudtool.com/giraud-tri-way-trimmer.html
If you have more than 4 calibers, then the fully motorized Gerard setup saves money as the heads for those are lower cost than a whole Tri Trimmer. I think the motorized unit is $460 with one head and more heads are $30.
http://www.giraudtool.com/prod02.htm
The Trim Trimmer is around $100.
If you do enough trimming I would strongly suggest a Gerard Tri Trimmer. Chucks up in a drill, if you have a vice you can put the drill in the vice an gently clamp it in and you are fully automated. I can do 300 in 10 or 15 minutes. Its an off the shoulder index system which should odd but it works gangbusters.
http://www.giraudtool.com/giraud-tri-way-trimmer.html
If you have more than 4 calibers, then the fully motorized Gerard setup saves money as the heads for those are lower cost than a whole Tri Trimmer. I think the motorized unit is $460 with one head and more heads are $30.
http://www.giraudtool.com/prod02.htm
The Trim Trimmer is around $100.
Rangerrich99
New member
This may or may not help you out.
Late last year I had a very similar problem with trimming some .223 rem cases. These were cases that I'd reloaded 4 times, using the same pilot as always with no issues. But suddenly these cases were getting stuck on the pilot. What I found by accident was that I'd set my de-primer/expander ball a little too low somehow. Also the die itself was set incorrectly. When I readjusted it a bit higher in the die and reset the die the problem went away.
Late last year I had a very similar problem with trimming some .223 rem cases. These were cases that I'd reloaded 4 times, using the same pilot as always with no issues. But suddenly these cases were getting stuck on the pilot. What I found by accident was that I'd set my de-primer/expander ball a little too low somehow. Also the die itself was set incorrectly. When I readjusted it a bit higher in the die and reset the die the problem went away.
Before the Internet some trimmers came with pilots that fit the neck of the fired case, when that happened reloaders would trim before sizing. And then there were trimmers that did not use pilots, my favorite trimmer does not use pilots because they are trim/form dies meaning the reloader has a choice.
I do not get into mortal combat with the pilot when trimming, if it wants to keep the case I trim before sizing.
F. Guffey
Measure your pilot. If it is .277 or bigger, it is meant to trim fired brass.
If you want to trim sized brass, cut it down to .275 with a drill and sandpaper get it to .276 with 180-220; .2755 with 320-400; .2752" with 400-600; finish with Flitz or other buffing compound to .275 or when you give up.
That should fix you up fora few bucks.
If you want to trim sized brass, cut it down to .275 with a drill and sandpaper get it to .276 with 180-220; .2755 with 320-400; .2752" with 400-600; finish with Flitz or other buffing compound to .275 or when you give up.
That should fix you up fora few bucks.
stagpanther
New member
I use the same trimmer--simple but works great. My guess is that you probably have an asymetry between the shell holder and pilot holder. Can the pilot fit the case neck when just pushed in without being attached? (be careful not to go too far in?) what I usually do is tighten the shell holder gradually as I push the pilot in. Sorta like , uhhhh better not make that analogy. 
Don Fischer
New member
Real possibility. Also could be the cuter is causing it. I've had that happen with my RCBS trimmer and fixed the problem by lubing the pilot with some of that Hornady white stuff on a Q-tip!
condor bravo
New member
Deburr the outside of the case necks after trimming, but if a flare is needed, use a Lyman M die for that purpose rather than chamfering which leaves close to a knife edge ridge around the case mouth. Retain the square case mouth after trimming rather than chamferring and boat tail bullets can be used to aid bullet seating if necessary.
The Tri Trimmer does the trim, chamfer, deburr.
More chamfer than deburr, I don't have an issues with cases mouths being sharp.
WFT from Little Crow is a nice tool as well but only trims.
If you don't like the chamfer and deburr process its a good one to go with. Less costly by $20 or so as well.
Once you have tried either one you won't go back.
More chamfer than deburr, I don't have an issues with cases mouths being sharp.
WFT from Little Crow is a nice tool as well but only trims.
If you don't like the chamfer and deburr process its a good one to go with. Less costly by $20 or so as well.
Once you have tried either one you won't go back.
locknloader
New member
Tri-Timmer is where its at, buy once cry once. It cuts down so many steps the extra expense is worth it. I can crank through 223 cases very fast with this tool.
As I have told you before it must be tuff waking up in a new world everyday when starting over.
Again, when forming cases the case is trimmed when formed and then sized. I have verified all of my trim/form dies. And then there is the Wilson case gage, I have verified my Wilson case gages. When determining if the case requires trimming most reloaders get overload because they measure from the end of the neck to the case head.
F. Guffey