Triming Cases

[Kurt]

Over the years I have collected 1 RCBS one Forrester, and two Wilsons.
They are all set for a particular shell. The Wilson is the only one I use. The problem I find with the Forrester is the collet that holds the case. It is very hard to keep it cutting the same length. The length changes by how hard you draw the collet in to hold it and if the rim diameters vary the collet gets drawn in deeper and the trimmer makes a longer cut of it might go the other way and cut the case shorter.
I only use the Forrester when I'm cutting down long brass and I attach the drill motor to the trimmer but I leave the case long and finish using the Wilson.

[J.B.]

Kurt , with the Wilson... I gather there is no pilot required ? Also ...the carrier/ cylinder that holds the case.. Are these ordered in different sizes also ? I would agree with you on the Forster with regard the variation in case rim dimension can lead to differing tension being needed on the collet..but I've used mine enough now that I can pretty much 'feel' that straight away and can put the 'odd ' cases aside. .. Doing cases in 'lots' seems to have helped a lot in this regard. I may pursue a Wilson down the line but to date have found the Forster to be simple and effective ..when compared to the other collet/pilot style trimmers. A cordless driver attachment might be a handy addition though.

[Nuclearcricket]

Thanks all for your input. It has been some very interesting reading. As to the Wilson trimmer, JB, no there isn't any pilots on the Wilson, as your case is held in a cylinder that matches the outside taper of your case. C-H either does or did at one time make one like the Wilson and I just passed on one cheaply the other weekend at a gun show. If you hit gun shows, keep an eye out for a Wilson they can often be picked up at reasonable prices used.
As things stand for me at this moment, I will wait and see what the actual chamber length is when I get my rifle back, hopefully this week, and move forward from there. Once the brass is all fire formed I can make a decision from there as to what I need to do and how I will do it.
The powder I have picked for my first fire forming session will be some old Elephant FFFg. The charge was set at 78 gr by weight. That will be pushing the 480 gr Accurate bullet that I had Tom make me. One thing that I had forgotten about Elephant is that it is very dusty. I had a big cloud of dust roll up when I pored the powder into the measure. It is compressed about .130. That should work to get bullets down range, but not sure how well that stuff will shoot.
Time to set and wait unpatiently I guess.
Sam

[Kurt]

J.B.

When I get a new caliber like the .44-75 Ballard I will send them a case that is full sized using my sizing die and also I will send them a case that was fired in the chamber of that rifle if I feel I want to do this way and the holders will be marked sized or unsized.
Forrester makes very fine reloading tools and I think their loading press is one of the best as well as their dies. The Company is less then 10 miles from me and I have pestered them many times for making things for me that need precision and they always have done this for me. Very good people running that company.

[bobw]

Been using Forster-Appelt trimmers and other things from them for years. Outstanding company. they make a mini hand crank outfit that holds your chamfer tool for in and outside chamfering, priceless, their trimmers are easily converted to power drive with a connecter nut and a bolt shaft. bobw

[J.B.]

Sam I'm pretty sure that 480 grn Accurate bullet will do well for you. Never used Elephant powder but I started with 76 x Swiss 1.5 and it was certainly showing some promising results with that bullet and the Brooks mould I have of similar weight. I've still a lot of learning to do with this round but were I to shoot only out to 5-600 yds .. 76-78 grns of Swiss 1.5 behind either the Brooks or Accurate bullet.. shoots better than I can hold.
Kurt..and Sam..thanks for the heads up on the Wilson. It does sound like the way to go if I were to step up from the Forster. Likewise I've found the custom area of Forster second to none. Very easy to deal with and the results have always been first class. My Jamison wont need any trimming though.

[Nuclearcricket]

J.B. I was told by what I consider a pretty sage person on this site to use powder that I don't like to fire form my cases and it makes a lot of sense to me. Elephant I don't think is made any more. It was made Brazil and I am pretty sure that they blew up the factory and just called it quits. Elephant is, if I remember right, a Musket powder, it is slow and dirty by today's standards. However I have about 5 pounds of FFFg and its just setting there so I might as well burn some of it up. I will also load up some with CTG that I have and see how much difference that makes.
I do also feel that the 480 bullet will do most anything I will need a 44-77 to do. Not sure if or how well it will do a 1000 but my feelings is that it will not be any worse than what my 45-70 will do. With any luck I will find out in 2 weeks or so. I have a friend coming into Ridgway range early next month and I hope the rifle is done in time to join him in some sighting in and some long range work on Homer the buffaly that hangs out near the 1000 yard mark. I also plan on putting it on paper while I am up there.
Sam

[Don McDowell]

I'm totally convinced that in a 19 twist barrel the 480 gr bullet is to long for consistant work at 1000 yds from the 44-77. Shorten the bullet to 1.3 and it becomes a contender. Put that 480 in a faster twist and it should shoot fine in all conditions.

[J.B.]

As I believe you'll be running a faster twist anyway Sam... I'd be guessing that the 480 will be fine to a 1k and beyond...as will probably 500 or 520. Certainly beyond 800 yds, the few results I do have are inconclusive. Jury is out on whether its me being twisted...or the rifles twist ? The Accurate 480 should cast at 1.32 long..but the Brooks I have is longer again and this, as Don and a few others have suggested, may be the problem. As for powders... we pretty much have Wano at about $75 -$80 a kg ( 2lbs ) ... or when we can get it... Swiss at just over $100 a kg. Wano tends to be used a lot..because the supply of it seems to be more reliable but I do prefer using Swiss. No inexpensive alternatives to fire form down here.

[Nuclearcricket]

Yep I just went and checked and the bullet is in fact 1.32 long. The powder, Elephant dates back to 98. I have had it a while.
I feel that all in all I am very fortunate on many fronts. Within an hour or so each way I can be on 2 different ranges that go out to 1000 or more. One is a silhouette range but has other ranges set up as well. The other is strictly a bulls eye range with berms every 100 yards. As far as powder availability, I can order it in or I can drive 3 hours and pick up what I want, just not sure what is the most economical of the 2.
I just don't think that the majority of people in America know just how well they do have things. There are just too many things that they take for granted and don't bother to take a look around at other places and countries to see what they don't have and can not do there.
Well enough of that, yes my barrel is a 17 twist and I did pick the 480 bullet after a lot of thought and discussion with both Don and Kurt. Now it will be a matter of fine tuning things to get the most out of it I can. I do think it may look a bit funny at first, a nice CCH receiver and a white octagon barrel. My smith will not blue till November some time and I still have not made up my mind if I want it hot blued or rust blued.
Decisions, Decisions. But, shoot it first and worry about the blue later.
Sam