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Posted: 1/10/2009 1:23:41 PM EDT
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I'm having some concerns about setting up my RT1200 trimmer.
I followed the instructions, set the trim die on the shell holder, then backed it out half a turn. This sizes the brass, but doesn't get it up to the trimmer. (Once fired milsurp brass, most is coming out to a length of 1.760-1.780.) I also noticed a sharp ring around the base. At first, I thought it was just a ring of lube, or sometimes the brass gets marked by the die. But, I could actually catch my fingernail on this ring?? So, I turned the trim die down to touch the shell holder, and this trims the brass down to about 1.730, and that ring is gone. But, I have to clean up the brass now with a dechamfering tool, it's quite messy...but is being cut square. So, my big questions that I haven't been able to answer with some quick internet searches: Is a trim length of 1.730 too short? (books all list 1.750 as a trim to length, and the shoulder matches up with some factory brass in terms of measurements. The brass also chambers in my AR. No, I don't have a case gauge. I know I know, it's on the short list now....) How do you adjust the trimmer down without moving the die from its position? What do you other 1200 users see your brass being trimmed to? |
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Hmmm. I was switching the 550 over to do the .223. And I was thinking about how I have my X-DIe all set up in there, and was going to have to redo it just to do the neck, and not actually resize the case. Then, I remembered that the instructions for the X-Die specifically say to trim the brass to about 0.20 short of trim-to length, which would put the cases at 1.730. So....perhaps the 1200 is all setup just perfect for use in the X-Die? Guess I'll go ahead and resize/trim and load up a few using the X-Die as I have it set up now, and maybe brave the cold tomorrow at the range to make sure they're working in my AR's.
Then, I can set about loading up the rest of my .223 stash... Still....any tips and tricks from dillon trimmer users will be appreciated! |
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If I recall (I'm too lazy to go look right now) I couldn't get mine to trim correctly either and ended up putting the locking ring on the bottom of the head (instead of screwing the ring down to the head, it's on the bottom of the die/bottom of the toolhead and screwed up). It works perfectly now and I trim to 1.750.
I'm in KC (by Liberty) too if you needed to come by and take a gander. |
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Set your die first to size the case proper/or hold case firmly... lock the die in the press or tool head.
You adjust your trim via the turning of the motor-cutter up/down on the top threads of the die, and use that lock not to lock the motor at correct height to keep trim at desired length. Kinda pain to adjust, so I just left mine on the single stage press I originally mounted it to, and bought another single stage to pick up where other left off. |
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Quoted:
If I recall (I'm too lazy to go look right now) I couldn't get mine to trim correctly either and ended up putting the locking ring on the bottom of the head (instead of screwing the ring down to the head, it's on the bottom of the die/bottom of the toolhead and screwed up). It works perfectly now and I trim to 1.750. I'm in KC (by Liberty) too if you needed to come by and take a gander. I did the double lock nut thing too. I got mine used, and it already had the die in the trimmer. Original Owner must have lock-tited it or something, I can't get the motor-die nut loose at all! I almost put it in the vice, but then, I remembered the X-Die needing to be cut short initially, and figured this should work out well. I'm down in Belton, but I work in Liberty and grew up there. We may have to meet up sometime! |
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