Rifle brass prep?

[cyh1830]

I've been loading pistol ammo and now migrating into rifle.

With all the various manfacturers and gadgets for rifle case prep ... any recommendations?

What I am searching for is the efficient setup for case sizing and trimming, deburring, chamfering the case mouth, tools for checking uniformity, etc.

So, basically the setup up to the point of charging the case. What toys are best served for quality reloads?

The objective is to produce ultra consistent .308 ammo. I already have the brass and bullets I want. Looking for the tools.

Thanks in advanced.

Edited November 27, 2011 by cyh1830

[USMCJG]

These are the tools I use for my .308:

1) RCBS Trim Mate with-

a) RCBS VLD Inside Chamfering Tool

Lyman Outside Deburring Tool

c) Redding Flash Hole Deburring Tool

d) Hornady Primer Pocket Cleaner

e) Hornady Primer Pocket Reamer(if needed)

2) Redding Primer Pocket Uniformer(with a low-speed cordless drill)- I don't use this on the Trim Mate because brass shavings accumulate on it and have to be cleared too often.

3) Forster Case Trimmer w/ Drill adapter- IMO, the best case trimmer you can get for the price.

4) Forster Bushing Bump Neck Sizer Die- Sizes the neck only and is capable of bumping the shoulder back slightly without resizing the body.

5) Redding Body Die- Only sizes the body without touching the neck.

6) Forster Micrometer Seating Die

Tools I haven't gotten yet, but will eventually:

Forster COAX Concentricity Gauge

Redding Case Neck Gauge

Comparators and OAL gauges

[Guest Lester Weevils]

I don't do rifle reloading, but that RCBS trim mate is a very nice tool and not incredibly expensive. I mainly use it to uniform pistol brass primer pockets but it is a really neat multi-purpose tool. Sometimes I'll chamfer brass with it. It would be even more gooder for rifle brass. You can do multiple different operations without changing the setup.

Most people don't uniform pistol primer pockets but that makes it easier to consistently seat primers.

I am real cheap and tried a few things before buying the trim mate. The screwdriver handle tool holder for a uniformer bit is a lot of work if you are doing a lot of cases.

Tried the primer pocket uniformer bit on a hand drill and wasn't real happy (on tight pockets it was useful for getting blisters on the fingers holding the brass, and too easy to ream a pocket cockeyed). Maybe on the bigger rifle cases it would be easier to keep a good grip on the brass, and easier to control the angle.

Made a little jig to use the uniformer bit on a drill press but wasn't that happy with it.

Then made a jig to uniform with the uniformer bit chucked in a mini-lathe. Made a little rubber-lined case holding doo-hicky mounted to the lathe sled. That worked real well but was too slow cranking the lathe sled in and out for each case.

The Trim Mate is geared down real low and will uniform without wanting to make tight cases spin in the fingers and make blisters. It is easy to cut "close to 90 degrees angle" with just finger pressure, because of the ergonomics of the tool. I can sit half-watching TV and run hundreds of rounds thru the Trim Mate easy.

[R_Bert]

This is how I do most of mine -

The others are trimmed with a Wilson - Sinclair trimmer Sinclair Ultimate Case Trimmer

[mikegideon]

The RCBS prep center is maybe in my future. I have a hornady case prep assistant for chamfer/debur and primer pocket uniformer. I also have a Hornady case trimmer. I'm really thinking about a Gracie or Giraud case trimmer, which will eliminate most of the need for the RCBS. That's why I haven't bought yet.

I have Sinclair concentricty and neck thickness gauges. I also have an RCBS case micrometer for .223. I have a Redding flash hole reamer, and use it with the supplied handle. It's a one-time thing, and isn't even required with Lapua brass.

[Mark A]

The RCBS unit is nice. I like mine. I'm assuming you aren't going to be producing high volume correct? If you are going to be cranking out a lot of rounds there are other tools out there but it starts getting expensive...

Mark

[Hershmeister]

I have a spare rcbs trim mate and other reloading equipment - pm me if you're interested

[cyh1830]

The RCBS unit is nice. I like mine. I'm assuming you aren't going to be producing high volume correct? If you are going to be cranking out a lot of rounds there are other tools out there but it starts getting expensive...

Mark

Great information everyone.

I do not plan on mass production on the .308. Just want to setup quality tools that will not cause development of Carpel Tunnel or blisters (and not create any dread for working on the project).

I'll probably use my Lee Turret for the .308.

I will be cranking out 5.56 also, it much larger numbers. Planning on using the Dillion 650.

Primary focus now is quality .308.

[dlm37015]

if you are going to load high grade match type ammo you need a better press like a coax or arbor press .if you do all the work to the case and skimp on the press all is for nought

[gregintenn]

I use the Lee trimmer that has the shllholder you chuck in a drill.

[mikegideon]

if you are going to load high grade match type ammo you need a better press like a coax or arbor press .if you do all the work to the case and skimp on the press all is for nought

Well, I missed this little pearl of wisdom in my research. I have been battling runout, even with top end Redding dies. PM headed your way.

[MacGyver]

Well, I missed this little pearl of wisdom in my research. I have been battling runout, even with top end Redding dies. PM headed your way.

You know that you're onto a good product when you've never seen even a single example on the secondary market. That Co-Ax single stage is a great press!

[mikegideon]

You know that you're onto a good product when you've never seen even a single example on the secondary market. That Co-Ax single stage is a great press!

I know. Did quite a bit of reading since David's post.

[dlm37015]

i found 4 ordered 2 will have this week . i have been using one for 25 years i thought everybody used them . i dont get out much

[mikegideon]

i found 4 ordered 2 will have this week . i have been using one for 25 years i thought everybody used them . i dont get out much

Put my name on one.