I am in the process of finding out how to trim the .500 Jeffery case. RCBS told me that they have a trim die for $165.95 plus shipping and it would furthermore take about a 8 to 10 week for delivery once the order is placed

I would like to know if there is any alternatives ?

How do you guys trim your Big cases ?



Cheers,



Andr�

I just use one of those little hand turn mini lathe jobbies and it does the job for me. Can't remember what it cost, but a hell of a lot less than US$165.95.

If I were buying a new case trimmer, I would get the one from Hornady that uses a standard shellholder.



http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/315831



Then all you need is to separately order a .510 pilot.

Forster makes a couple of trimmers that will work. I use the 50BMG for 470NE. They don't require shellholders,they use a collet type holder. They list for $72 in Midway's catalog. Lyman makes essentially the same trimmer for $40 but I have never seen or used one. I have been well pleased with the Forster.

For the big bores that I crimp and I want my crimp accurate and all cases exact, I will use only a file trim die, none of the other are that accurate...

JD, I second the vote for the Forster trimmer. The model that handles the big bores is called the "Classic". Midway has them for 74 bucks. I have one and I like it. Simple to use and very accurate. Looks good too BTW with that gold anodized finish.

Geronomo

Ray I think I will go for the file on the casas it sounds cheep and accurate. Once again thank you for the great advice.

Cheers,

Andr�

Ray,

What is a "file trim die"? I have never heard of such a thing. I use a face reamer style trimmer, it is repeatable to around +/- 0.001", which is plenty accurate for crimping in my book.

ASS_CLOWN

I use a vernier to measure case length and can almost guarantee any of my cases are as accurate as your file trimmed ones

No rotary trimmer is as accurate as a file trim die, that's a pipe dream, just think about it...The only way to trim better than a file trim die is to use a lathe...

When you want that crimp to be spot on in the cannalure, the file trim die is best..

Bwana,
A file trim is basically a reloading die that goes on the press and you push the case up in it and what sticks up out of the top is filed off..extremely accurate.

They are available for all cartridges at most reloading die companies....Once set they are good forever, no way you can make a mistake with them..

It would be expensive to have a set for every gun if you had a lot of guns, and its a slow process..I have them for certain big bores that I use a crimp on, I also have Sinclair Bench Rest and a Forrester rotary trmmers.

Ray
So in order to file trim my cases I need the RCBS trim die to $170 ? or do you know any other company that makes any cheeper ?

Cheers,

Andr�

I use the Forster and the Lyman rotary trimmers. They are Miniature lathes for this simple operation. I have used them for everything up to 50 BMG. Get the right pilot. No way a trim die could be any better functionally, just more expensive in this case, more tedious and slower, and limited to application to one cartridge. But take your pick.

I will check the Forster and the Lyman rotary trimmers out and se how much the sell for.
If they can handle the .50BMG the ther Jeffery should not be a problem.


Cheers,

Andr�

I hate to disagree but a rotary trimmer is nothing more than a miniture lathe. The only movable part is the stop If set properly and in good condition varience will not be more than 1/2 thousandth. I just trimmed 40 416 Rigby cases on a Lyman before writing this and had absolutely NO varience. I measured EACH case with mike after trimming. A trim die is dependent on uniformity of shell holder and pressure on press handle to assure correct protrusion. I have shot a 219 Donadson for over 50 years so know a little about trim dies.