204Ruger

Get the RCBS trimmer with a three way cutting head and trim, chamfer and deburr all in one operation. One shell holder works for fired and unfired cases and the adjustments will let you trim to any length. No need for files or anything else. Case mouths are square and ready to load. Just change the shellholder and the pilot in the three way cutter and you are ready for the next caliber. No muss no fuss.

When you get to trimming in a trimming die, you dont ever take material off the die ? Even with a flat file? And it doesnt deform the case mouth? I've heard of it before but never understood how it would work well. $22 bucks sounds purdy though.

When I first got mine I did not have a "fine" file so I tryed a sharpening stone. It worked great but did begin to wear the die. I then bought a fine file. I quesstimate I trimmed 2000 rds with it and have probably lost one to two thousandths off the top. If I had not started with the stone maybe it would not have worn at all, who knows?

As for deforming the case mouth its never happened to me. The key is a fine file. The finer the better IMHO. I'm sure a wood rasp would cause damage

Trim dies are hardened at the factory. A file won't touch them, giving many years of service, but a stone will break right through the case hardening right away.

Just imagine a surface grinder in a machine shop; it surfaces steel, all steel. But it uses a stone on the steel to grind it away.....

Thanks all for the info!!! Soon I will be reloading my 1st lot, the second time so I will measure them for trimming. I still havent decided which route to go. It still depends on the funds available at purchase time, ya, know?