rcbs pro trimmer, sucks any other owners? tips

C

cruze5

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 11, 2006
725
109
Kentucky
#1
so i purchased the trimmer to go with all my other rcbs equipment and so far i don't like the rcbs trimmer or their powder measure.

the trimmer does not do consistent trims and the dispenser varies up to a grain of powder with 3 different powders. 4064, varget. VV n140 am i expecting to much from these dispensers?

The trimmer looks like its actually only cutting one side of the neck alot of times. if i measure it, its always longer on one side if the neck

any else have this problem?
 
#2
Re: rcbs pro trimmer, sucks any other owners? tips

The powder measure is not very accurate, nor is it meant to be. How you throw the handle will vary the powder charge a good bit. Set it so it throws the charges a little light, consistently, regardless of your technique with the handle, then trickle to the proper weight on your scale.

As for the trimmer, mine also seems like it trims one side a little more than the other. Try increasing the tension on the shell holder plate by screwing the studs back into the trimmer a bit, make sure they are even. You can also remove the handle, thread a long bolt into the shaft side and use the bolt to chuck your power drill onto the trimmer and then you can use the drills motor to drive the trimmer, that seems to have helped with the consistency of the cuts on mine.
 
#3
Re: rcbs pro trimmer, sucks any other owners? tips

I have the same issues with my powder measure, although I didn't expect it to be 100% repeatable all of the time. I trickle all of my precision stuff and my .223 reloads are for short range 3-gun stuff so I'm not worried about it.

I have the trim pro with the 3-way cutter head installed and the cases come out consistent with mine. Are yours angled to the point where you can see it with the naked eye or are are you talking .002-.003 off when measured with a micrometer? I use an open palm and aim to maintain constant pressure against the handle while trimming.
 
#4
Re: rcbs pro trimmer, sucks any other owners? tips

I have the power trimmer and it works perfectly. Ive trimmed 600 22-250, 1200 223, and 150 25-06 and they are all trimmed to exactly what I set it at.
I also have a powder measure that I just bought used to replace my lee powder measure. I have noticed that when measuring large powder (mouse turds)it tends to stick and I have to apply preassure to cut the turd in half. I dont rem having that problem with my lee meassure.

Cruze5 - "the dispenser varies up to a grain of powder with 3 different powders. 4064, varget. VV n140 am i expecting to much from these dispensers? "
I'm hoping your saying that youve tried three different powders and they dont measure consistantly, not that you set the measure to one setting and are hoping to get the same weight at one setting with three different powders. Thats not going to happen with any meassure.
 
#5
Re: rcbs pro trimmer, sucks any other owners? tips

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CardiacKid</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have the same issues with my powder measure, although I didn't expect it to be 100% repeatable all of the time. I trickle all of my precision stuff and my .223 reloads are for short range 3-gun stuff so I'm not worried about it.

I have the trim pro with the 3-way cutter head installed and the cases come out consistent with mine. Are yours angled to the point where you can see it with the naked eye or are are you talking .002-.003 off when measured with a micrometer? I use an open palm and aim to maintain constant pressure against the handle while trimming. </div></div>

i will look into a trickler, thank you for the post

i try to maintain constant pressure but maybe i am not. i will have my dad try it and see if he has the same inconsistency's


yes i have tried using the 3-4 different powders and they all very up to a grain. i learned my lesson on expectations. the trickler is the way . i youtubed it and i'll try to make one myself OR use empty brass to "top" them off

thank you for helping the newbie handloader
 
#6
Re: rcbs pro trimmer, sucks any other owners? tips

your asking alot of the powder thrower, if you think it will throw 4064 consistantly. Thats where you need a chargemaster or something similar.
 
#7
Re: rcbs pro trimmer, sucks any other owners? tips

A powder throw like a RCBS Uniflo cannot consistently dispense a accurite charge of most rifle powders, remember this, "Throw Low Trickle Up", as for your trimmer is your case square to the trimmer blade, work on your technique, consistentcy will improve, but when it comes down to shots on target I have noticed rounds all trimmed to the same length shoot no better than rounds where I didn't trim or where were mixed ones that were trimmed, I bet there is less than 100 people who post on SH that can shoot the difference.
 
#8
Re: rcbs pro trimmer, sucks any other owners? tips



<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i will look into a trickler, thank you for the post...
</div></div>

Small flake powders should be just fine without the trickler. its the extruded (rat turd/ pencil lead) powders that will give you trouble.
I trickler is only a few bucks if I remember correctly.
 
#9
Re: rcbs pro trimmer, sucks any other owners? tips

There is nothing wrong with a Uniflow RCBS powder measure. I have used one for 25 years and mine throws Varget within 2/10ths.
A powder measure must be used with rhythm and consistency to be accurate.
 
#11
Re: rcbs pro trimmer, sucks any other owners? tips

My rcbs thrower is consistent within about .2 grains, over or under, when I keep a consistent rhythm. I am anal though, so I bought a chargemaster. Like the others said, you should be trickling up anyhow, if you are loading for a precision rifle.

As for the trimmer- I have one and am happy as can be with it. I am using the 3-way head, and the results are not only fast, but consistent. I have never seen a variation over .001 with it. If yours is cutting inconsistently from one side to the other, I recommend checking the alignment of the case holder, and make sure you have the appropriate sized holder in.

Good luck.
 
#12
Re: rcbs pro trimmer, sucks any other owners? tips

i did some "youtubing" last night and found my solution for a trickler


a empty 308 casing with just a primer. put some powder in it. lower my powder charge just under, then top it off with the powder in the empty case
 
#13
Re: rcbs pro trimmer, sucks any other owners? tips

When I trim with my power trimmer I pull out the trimmed case, put in another and let it start trimming, then while its trimming I inspect the next case to be trimmed for any defects.
I also have a piece of white paper on the table behind the trimmer and if I can see anything daylight between the trimmer base that holds the trim shaft and the collet stop I apply slight preassure intil I cant see daylight between them. If they are touching and everything is in alignment to begin with theres really no way the lengths can vary. unless of course you trim stop isnt tight and is moving around.
 
#14
Re: rcbs pro trimmer, sucks any other owners? tips

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cruze5</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i did some "youtubing" last night and found my solution for a trickler


a empty 308 casing with just a primer. put some powder in it. lower my powder charge just under, then top it off with the powder in the empty case </div></div>

That may work ok but if you ever use a real powder trickler you will never even consider that method again. Its just not worth the hassle for the 12.00 -15.00 you will save by not buying a real trickler.

You tap that shell just a BIT too hard or tilt it just a BIT too much and its dump the powder back in the powder measure and start over.

Trickler- a slight turn or two of the knob(depending on how far off the weight is and what powder your trickling and your done.

AND, you shouldnt have to trickle at all with flake or ball powder the measure should work just fine. Its the bigger extruded powders that youll want to use the trickler for and they will be even harder to trickle from a shell casing.
Its just not worth the hassle Cruze5.
Work one extra hour at work and buy the trickler and save yourself much more than an hour and frustration while reloading.
 
#15
Re: rcbs pro trimmer, sucks any other owners? tips

Trimmers - I found that many cases trimmed unevenly because the base of the case was slightly deformed and not perfectly square to the shellholder. Its probably due to a combination of manufacturer defect, bolt face not square, whatever.

Try switching the possum hollow trimmer. Its designed so that it indexes off the shoulder of the case rather than the base (which is what the shellholder is essentially doing). So even if the base and the case mouth are not parallel, the case mouth is square with respect to the chamber and throat.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

762 ULTRAMAGA
Rcbs Trim pro 2
Replies
2
Views
207
762 ULTRAMAGA
762 ULTRAMAGA
T
Precision 6.5 CM - What would you change about my process?
Replies
88
Views
3K
Oldloser
O
T
New to non SAAMI Loads- 7x300Win ANY/ALL advice needed and greatly appreciated.
Replies
21
Views
474
Schw15
S
Devo10ate
Where am I going wrong? .308 hunting load and general powder questions
Replies
12
Views
981
Snuby642
Snuby642
T
How is RCBS in business?
Replies
74
Views
4K
Dead Eye Dick
Dead Eye Dick
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Merch
Alerts