Trim 357 mag on Henderson Gen3

[Comhertz]

Background and Issue:
I have a large box of 357 magnum that I want to trim for consistent bullet seating and crimping.

It looks like the henderson could trim only (no camfer and debur) by adjusting the gen 3 trimmer blades and using the correct pilot.

Needed a 357 pilot. Ordered Forster but the pilot shaft is too thick at .184. Gen3 uses a .155 shaft on its pilot.

Few questions:
I read that rcbs pilot is a .152 shaft. Would that be too narrow?

I’d appreciate if someone with an rcbs trim pilot measure the shaft and confirm size.

How hard would it be to use a drill press to turn down the forster pilot shaft? I have files. No lathe or friends w lathes.

Thanks

 

[TheOfficeT-Rex]

I’d bet you could get away with no pilot if you’ve got them square in the collet and you’re not trying to chamfer and debur.

 

[Hoser]

I bought a spare cutting head and had the hole drilled out to 0.185 or so so I could use any Forster pilot.

This is my do everything cutting head. I have done a ton of 357, 41 Mag and 454. It takes hardly any time and the results are perfect. The only pain in the ass is adjusting the cutters when I change pilots.

 

[Comhertz]

I’d bet you could get away with no pilot if you’ve got them square in the collet and you’re not trying to chamfer and debur.

It does work. I ran one that way to test that it will cut, but setting the case correctly straight on the collet is a bit hit or miss for me. Pilot helps w alignment.
Thanks

 

[Comhertz]

I bought a spare cutting head and had the hole drilled out to 0.185 or so so I could use any Forster pilot.

This is my do everything cutting head. I have done a ton of 357, 41 Mag and 454. It takes hardly any time and the results are perfect. The only pain in the ass is adjusting the cutters when I change pilots.

Good to hear that this will work.

I ordered an rcbs pilot. If that works I'll return my recently bought forster pilots. If not I will pursue this route. Thanks.

 

[Comhertz]

Good to hear that this will work.

I ordered an rcbs pilot. If that works I'll return my recently bought forster pilots. If not I will pursue this route. Thanks.

RCBS pilots do fit gen3 henderson. Any 5/32 shaft pilot works. They use the narrower shaft. It will trim 357mag. You can adjust the blades to camfer and debur also.

 

[Flea21]

I’m just getting to this thread and Love it! I’m wondering i can retrofit a cutter to accommodate 500SW… thoughts?