6 Best Case Trimmers for Reloading | Top-Rated Models of the Market

Want to invest your hard-earned money on the best case trimmer? 

Bingo! 

We got you covered! We have come up with the 6 best reloading case trimmer of the market that a lot of people have been using. So far users seem to be very satisfied with these trimmers.

However, we have reviewed each of these case trimmers thoroughly so that you could have a precise idea about their performance. And that will make it easier for you to choose the ideal one! 

Here are them!

1. Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Case Trimmer.
2. Lyman Case Prep Xpress 115V 7810220 Trimmer.
3. Hornady Cam-Lock 050140 Trimmer
4. RCBS Trim Pro-2 .338 Lapua Mag 90366 Case Trimmer Kit
5. Lyman, Brass Smith Case Trim Xpress Trimmer
6. Lyman Power Adapter Trimmers

Best Case Trimmers for Reloading Comparison 

1. Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Case Trimmer.

Started with the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series case trimmer, one of the best models of the market. This very trimmer is recommended by the professionals since it comes with everything that an ideal case trimmer should have. It is just what you would expect from a top-quality case trimmer. It is a highly efficient case trimmer, it can trim hundreds of cases efficiently. Anyone who is looking for a versatile case trimmer, then this is the way to go.

In terms of functionality, this is just outstanding. It comes with different types of functions, it can trip, it can deburr, chamfer, and clean. And it is a fast case trimmer, you can get cases trimmed within a few seconds. Moreover, this is a highly lightweight and portable case trimmer as well, you can move to different places carrying it easily. Doesn’t matter if you are a beginner, using this trimmer is very easy. And the most satisfying part about this trimmer is, it can trim different shell sizes, so if you are someone who uses and reloads different cartridges, this would be a great choice. It is compatible with .17 Remington caliber to .460 Weatherby caliber. 

This trimmer features three output shafts and they are compatible with all the devices that come with 8-32 threads. And as we mentioned, it has chamfering functioning, that has VLD which saves the bullet from damaging and makes the loading process simple. The manufacturer has used aluminum material in constructing this trimmer and that makes is highly durable. Depending on your need you can place this trimmer both vertically and horizontally. 

The Pros

• Highly durable aluminum constructed trimmer. 
• Very easy to use.
• Lightweight and portable machine.
• It can handle different shell sizes.
• Features deburr and chamfering.

The Con

• It makes little noise.

2. Lyman Case Prep Xpress 115V 7810220 Trimmer.

Anyone who is looking for an all-in-one case trimmer, the Lyman Case Prep Xpress 115V 7810220 Trimmer is for them. If you are a professional gunman and do a lot of case trimming, then you got a suitable model for you already. This is one of the most popular case prep machines of the market that does an incredible job. It is driven by high torque gear motor and it is quite. The best part of this trimmer is, it comes five different functioning, it chamfers, deburrs, brushes case neck, cleans primer pocket, trims, and reams military crimps. That’s why we called in the all-in-one model. 

Not only that, but this trimmer also comes with a dump pan as well which is placed underneath, and during trimming all the brass wastes gathers there making it easier for you to clean it. With this trimmer, you will get all the things you need, no need to spend more money on buying additional stuff. With the purchase, you get an inside deburring tool which has VLD. You get primer pocket uniformer, reamers, cleaners, case neck lube, brushes (brushes are for different case necks such as 25 cal, 30 cal, 35 cal, 45 cal). You also get a dump pan that we mentioned earlier. 

Doesn’t matter how long you use this trimmer for, you will very comfortable with it. No hand blister, no hand ache. Trimming the cases will be very easy and comfortable. It isn’t a heavyweight case trimmer, it is pretty lightweight and highly portable. So if you travel to different places, you can carry it easily with you. Lastly, it comes at an expensive price and some people didn’t appreciate that. It is a high-quality case trimmer and the price will be high, that’s so obvious.

The Pros

• Highly durable case trimmer.
• It comes with all the functions.
• Lightweight and portable unit.
• Very easy to operate.
• High torque gear motor.
• It doesn’t make noise.

The Con

• According to a few people, the price is pretty high.

3. Hornady Cam-Lock 050140 Trimmer

When it comes down reloading devices, Hornady is one of the names that cross many minds. It is a top-quality brand, they have been producing top-grade reloading devices for very long. Whether it is a brass tumbler, reloading press, hand priming tool, Powder trickler, or case trimmer, they are leading in all reloading devices. Likewise, this Hornady Cam Lock trimmer is another incredible device that you will give you an extremely satisfying case trimming experience. 

This is an upgrade case trimmer compared to others in the market. It comes with some additional features as well. However, the main reason why people look up to this trimmer and the reason why we placed it on our top list is because of its case trimming convenience. You can mount this trimmer to any table or workbench, that will make it extremely stable. There is a cam lock system as well, which makes trimming even more comfortable. 

The locking system makes sure that you put the shells in the holder properly so that the trimming will precise. That will result in higher consistency every time you trim. One thing that has a lot to do with the trimming convenience is the handle. The handle is designed ergonomic and it is placed raised from the frame so that you can use the handle properly and efficiently. 

Installing this trimmer is pretty simple, there isn’t any complexity. There are four holes in the trimming device through which you can attach the trimmer. And if you want you can use a vise as well. This device features a micro-adjustable head cutter that makes sure that it cuts the case precisely. You will be able to change the setting without removing the case. And lastly, you can remove the cutter for sharpening as well. 

The Pros

• Extremely durable trimming device.
• Incredibly comfortable to use.
• The cutter can be removed.
• Delivers precise trimming. 
• Highly stable trimmer.

The Con

• This trimmer is a little slow. 

 4. RCBS Trim Pro-2 .338 Lapua Mag 90366 Case Trimmer Kit

The manufacturer has designed this case trimmer keeping precision in mind, they wanted it to be very precise in trimming. And they have succeeded, that’s why this RCBS Trim Pro comes in the best reloading case trimmers list. It features a spring-loaded shell holder and that makes the shell reloading process for your breeze. The way this holder is designed it locks the shell once it is aligned with the cutter and pilot. 

Using this case trimmer isn’t a tough job at all. But still, with the purchase, you will get a manual where everything is written. Even if you know already how to use a case trimmer, we urge you to go through the manual once, because the manufacturer recommends something and there could be some do and don’t that you need to follow. So going through the manual is worthy. It is recommended in the manual that, for better results, you should mount the case trimmer with the workbench.  

It is a very precise case trimmer and when the correct configuration is set, it will deliver you the same length trimming every time. You can set the bushes of this trimmer at .00” mm (micrometer) marking. Getting the correct length for a specific caliber might take around one to two minutes. Moreover, this trimmer comes with 9 pilots of different calibers that are widely used. 

The manufacturer has used top-notch material in the construction so that it can deliver optimum durability, and it does. There is one issue that is reported by the users which is when the trimmer vibrates, some bolts get loosen. So you will need to pay attention to this. 

The Pros

• Constructed with top-quality material.
• Features spring-loaded shell holder.
• Highly durable device.
• It comes with 9 pilots of common calibers.
• Very easy to operate.

The Con

• Bolts get loose with the vibration. 

5. Lyman, Brass Smith Case Trim Xpress Trimmer

This is a case trimmer that many rifle freeloaders look for. Speed and accuracy, this very trimmer offers both. This trimmer comes with its very own power source. And it features a highly powerful variable speed motor that eliminates the need for using power drills and all. With this trimmer you will get very precise trimming, the holder simply pushes the case on the carbide cutter and the trimming is done. 

It features 10 bushings so that you can place different rifle cases. The bushings are enough, you won’t need any pilots. Spring-loaded bushings deliver effortless and smooth trim. You can trip 15 cases in every minute. And after trimming a couple of 15 cases, the cutter wouldn’t get slow, the speed will remain the same, so is the accuracy. 

There is an adjustment wheel in the trimmer that enables you to dial the case length easily, in .001 increment. Moreover, this trimmer looks pretty classy. And it isn’t a large device that will eat up big space in your table. The build quality of this trimmer is top-notch as well. Having that said, we have seen a user complaining about the cutter. According to that user, the cutter started wobbling at the first use. But most of the users are pretty satisfied with this device. So we are assuming that the user got the defected trimmer. 

The Pros

• Extremely durable case trimmer.
• Easy to use.
• Features 10 bushings for different shells.
• Portable and lightweight
• Delivers accurate trimming.

The Con

• It comes at an expensive price.

6. Lyman Power Adapter Trimmers

People who are looking for an affordable case trimmer, this Lyman Power Adapter trimmer is for them. Using and installing this trimmer is very easy, anyone can do it. That makes it a suitable case trimmer for the beginners as well. However, the device comes with a manual, go through it, you will learn more about the very trimmer. The way this trimmer is designed, you can use a hand crank to do the trimming or you can use a drill.

Using hand crank will take time, but will drill you will be able to do a lot of trimming within a very short time. The drill makes the trimmer very speedy. That being said, you can adjust speed as well. We would recommend using a drill when you have to trim a lot of cases. For a couple of rounds, hand-cranked would be better. 

One thing you would like to remember is, you need to oil the shaft after trimming every 10 cases. If you don’t and the shaft is dry, it will affect the trimming, you might not get the smooth trimming. The shaft of this trimmer comes with a cutter and stop collar, so changing between the drill and hand crank is super easy.

The Pros

• Best budget case trimmer for reloading.
• Pretty speedy case trimmer. 
• Allows hand crank or drill.
• Features a durable shaft.
• Shaft changing is very easy.

The Cons

• You might not get the proper accuracy.
• Hand cranking is tiring. 

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How to Choose the Best Case Trimmer? 

Choosing the right case trimmer for reloading isn’t a tough job at all, you just need to know some criteria and you will be able to pick the good one easily. There are few considerations you need make right before you purchase a case trimmer, these considerations will make sure that you get your hands on the right case trimmer. We have explained each of them below! 

Type 

If you want to end up with a trimmer that will serve your needs, then knowing the different types is a must. Different types of case trimmers function differently, so knowing each type will help you to get the ideal one for you. 

There are basically 5 types of case trimmers in the market, give below!

1. Lather Type Case Trimmer.

Lather type case trimmer is the most used case trimmer, it is widely available and widely used as well. Among all the case trimmers, this one is the most popular type. This trimmer features a holder that clamps the bullet and it trims the bullet with a cutter that is located at the opposite side of the clamped bullet. With this case trimmer, you can expect a satisfying result, since it can make rough to proper adjustment. Plus, with this trimmer, you can get the case trimmer pretty faster as well. Though, speed is something you should less focus when it comes down to case trimmer. Speedy trimmers are often less precise. 

Fixed Adjustment Type Case Trimmer

People who look for affordable case trimmers, fixed adjustment type case trimming machines are for those. Though they are low priced it has a lot of limitations. The big disadvantage of this case trimmer is, it can only trim a single size. If you are intent to trim different case sizes, then this is the wrong one for you. It comes with a very simple design, would be suitable for people who reload the same calibers of the bullet. 

On-Press Case Trimmer

This is a pretty speedy case trimmer type, trimming and deburring the bullet wouldn’t take more than a second in this type of trimmer. If you need speed, this is a suitable time for you. That being said, it makes ruckuses and this machine is a little heavy and bulky. Moreover, you will need reloading to die for this type if you want it to operate properly. 

Low Volume Precision Trimmer

Do not overlook o not overlook this type because of its low volume precision name. This case trimmer comes with a stand mechanism that enables you to trim cases very easily. And sometimes, this case trimmer can be very faster, better than the lathe trimmer. Having that said, if you are a beginner then this trimmer is not your thing. Setting this trimmer up takes a lot of time and it doesn’t support different bullet sizes as well. 

Shoulder Indexing Case Trimmer

If you want a trimmer that will get you a lot of bullets trimmer within a short time, you should go for shoulder indexing case trimmer. Using this trimmer is pretty easy, it is flexible as well. There is a lot of room for making adjustments and setting chips conveniently. 

Deburring 

Do you know what is deburring? When the bullet gets trimmer, the edge becomes sharp, and smoothing the sharp edge is called chamfering and deburring. This is the finishing stage of the case trimming. There is a separate tool in the market for chamfering and deburring but some high-quality case trimmer comes with a pre-installed deburring tool. And after trimming the bullet the machine smoothens the edges. We would suggest picking a case trimmer that comes with a pre-installed deburring tool for anyone who is serious and regular in gun reloading. 

Speed

If you do a lot of reloading then you will need speed. The faster the case trimmer, the more case you can trim within a specific time. Not all the case trimmers are faster. But before you pick a high speedy case trimmer we would like to make you aware that, often speedy case trimmers don’t trim precisely. Accurate trimming is extremely important, it plays a big role, you shouldn’t compromise that. At the same time speed is necessary as well. So what should you do? Go for speedy case trimmers but only those who have the ability to trim cases precisely. 

Shell holder

This is an extremely important factor that needs high attention. Shell holder holds the bullet shell when it gets trimmers. When trimming the shell needs to be very stable, so that the trimming will be accurate. Shell holders change according to the shell sizes. There are some trimmers that come with a single shell holder and some don’t come with any shell holders, stay away from such trimmers doesn’t matter how cheap they are. Look for a trimmer that comes with shell holders and where you can trimmer different sizes of bullets. That will be beneficial in the long run. 

Convenience of Use

This is another thing that is highly needed. The case trimmer you pick needs to be easy to operate. Complex case trimmers are very annoying and you wouldn’t be able to trim a lot of cases, you will get tired. Pick an easy to use case trimmer and you will get your work done easily and faster. Along with the use, the setup process also needs to be simple. You should be able to mount the trimmer on the workbench easily and properly so that you get good stability.

Tumblers

This is not necessary but worth checking. If you want the trimmed bullets to shine like a new one, then tumbling and polishing them is a must. There are brass tumblers, this is a separate tool that is only used to make the bullets shine like new. But some trimmer comes with the tumbler and polisher. Going for a model that features tumbling will eliminate the need for buying a tumbler separately. Most of the trimmer doesn’t come with the tumbler, you can pick a separate tumbler as well. That being said, take a look at the best brass tumblers of the market. 

Conclusion

Investing is the best case trimmer will be a very wise decision, you will realize that in the long run. However, these are the 6 best reloading case trimmers of the market that we have found. So far users are pretty satisfied and these 6 models are high-rated in the market. Go through the reviews and before you make a purchase, check the user’s comment, see what the majority of the users are saying. If that satisfies you, then go on!