The Dreaded Case Prep and a New Toy

I have primer pocket uniforming tools, I have military crimp removers I run in the RCBS case prep center
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These are basically nothing more than a stem with a knurled end.
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I am sure you are correct but if we are talking about the same thing I would notice when I screwed the tool into the RCBS case prep center, one end has threads and the other end has the cutter. I do have handles from Lyman and RCBS that work when the electricity is off.

And I never want to exclude Hatcher, he said he simply used his pocket knife.

F. Guffey
 
I haven't seen the Frankfort one, but I've been tempted by the RCBS version often - I just always find something else I need more for the $125.

A1CS_1_20130213117155153.jpg
 
I'm happy with my Giraud Triway cutter. $90 and it trims, chamfers and deburrs in a single shot.

The drawback is that it is caliber specific, so you'll have to have one for each caliber. But I don't load volume for anything in rifle but .223/5.56 for the AR. My hunting rifles can be done on the Forstner because I just don't shoot that much with them to develop huge quantities of brass to prep (thankfully).

http://www.giraudtool.com/Tri%20Way%20Trimmer.htm
 
Frankford Arsenal Case Prep Machine

I've been reloading since the 1950s. I have used many case prep machines and my latest which I bought in 94 is the RCBS motorized case prep machine which only trims the length. It's the most accurate and I use it to trim cases for my Rem 40X.
I just bought the Frankford Arsenal machine last week off of Ebay for $156. I have reloaded about 500 rounds of 5.56 trimmed for the SS-109 bullet. The trim length is 1.750" for most cannelured bullets. The cannelure is the most important consideration for semi and full-auto rifles.
The new machine references off of the neck so the is some deviation from 1.750" because of differences in bore profile. Some of the casings are once-fired brass bought in bulk and others are from the local range, so this would answer the question of differing bore profiles.
The differences range from 1.735" to 1.7535". This range is acceptable for the 5.56 under all circumstances except for precise target competition. I have found that the deburring tips can be changed to other brands. The biggest problem I've found with this machine is that the trim length cutter wears a bit faster otherwise it seems to be a good buy.
 
I have trimmers, I also have forming dies. When forming cases I trim as much as 27" of brass from 100 cases. I get more millage from a hack saw than I do from the cutter of a case trimmer. Then there is the file, I have files, I use files when trimming. The file when used with a form/trim die is one of the most accurate methods for trimming.

I have the RCBS case prep center, no, it does not trim but when loading it is one of the first tools I set-up.

F. Guffey
 
I picked up the FA case prep center a couple weeks ago. I have only prepped 75 or so 5.56 cases with it, but dang is it far better than the Lee setup in a drill for my uses.
I have been using the Lee method since I started reloading back in 08. And that was a fine method for the many different calibers I was shooting. But a couple years ago when I got into shooting AR's and the sheer volume I am now shooting them, case prep became very uncomfortable. 200-400 pieces of brass at a time.
My hands would often cramp up and I would have to prep cases over a couple weekends at a time.

This FA unit almost makes me enjoy prepping brass!

I so far am happy with it, time will tell on the lifespan of the product, but I for sure will be running it through its paces to find out.



Also I did see that vid already mentioned about using the Hornady bit and using the collet, that may be a good idea.
 
I also have air craft countersinks, not a problem when matching the neck to a guide, when using a forming die the small flair snaps off when the ram is lowered. It is not even necessary to cut the metal, just turn the counter sink and flare the protruding neck, then:eek:, lower the ram.

If trimming a case or case prep run me to the curb I would quit reloading.

F. Guffey
 
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