The Lee case trimmer has been suggested as a economical trimmer for my needs. I have no experience with this or any trimmers. How many different pieces make a complet set up? I'm wanting to trim 45 Colt and 357 max cases. Thanks for the help, Tom

Tom,
The Lee case trimmer is cheaper than any of the other trimmers, but in truth, straight wall cases seldom need trimming. They tend to split and be discarded before they grow enough to merit trimming. Have you measured your cases and found that they have grown too long to function or did someone just tell you that you ought to consider trimming them?
Moosie

As pointed out you will seldom need to trim pistol brass. Quite a bit of the new pistol brass I have measured is short of its trim length.


Edit] I had intended to add my wife and I shoot a 21" 357 Max barrel. Great fun for a load levels. ]


It has been pointed out by several people that 45 Colt brass when loaded to high pressure for use in rifles will sometimes shrink – closing up the extractor groove. – Ken Waters was the first to mention this but I have read of it from others.

The Lee case trimmers have a lock stud and cutter which is universal.
The shell holder and case length gage come seperatly.

These are useful to have around for several reasons and well worth their small cost.

Midway down the pages on this link are the instructions for using the trimmer:

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/CF1391.pdf

I guess I'm showing my ignorance but I thought that in order to get uniform crimps the cases needed to be close to the same length. I should add that I haven't reloaded much in several years and just started reloading for 357 and 45. The 45 Colt is used in a rifle.

357 and 44 mags cases with full loads will grow. You are right about the uniform length for crimping. The Lee Factory Crimp Die will help with that. Most people use a light crimp for light loads as the more you crimp the more likely the case will split. I use a full crimp on all my loads as I have had problems with bullets coming loose. The Lee Trimmer is OK but slow to use. You can speed things up using an electric drill.

I use a DeWalt cordless drill with the shell holder chucked in it. While the standard Lee case trimmer works well, once the cutters wear down you may want to order the Lee trimmer installed in the wooden ball for a handle. It makes it easier to grip when doing lots of cases. Also, like someone said, you'll need a trim to length mandrel (and shell holder) for each caliber, though some shell holders work with other calibers.

My method is exactly what Stretch described. It goes quick. I also purchased some 1.5" diameter wood balls on eBay and drilled them out for the cutters, it's a lot easier on the hands. I have a dedicated set up for each of the 6 cartridges I currently load for and am still way ahead of the game on out-of-pocket expense when compared to a lathe type cutter. A Lyman or RCBS large (50 BMG) deburring tool is much easier on the hands as well.

Straight walled cases benefit from Lee case trimmers by squaring off the case mouths, something that should help with consistent crimps, shot start pressures and uniform velocities. Plus, it makes you feel like you've done a thorough job of case prep. The cost is minimal and a worthwhile investment, unless you are on a really tight budget and know someone who has a Lee case trimmer already.

Thanks guys. lots of good info here. Tom