Guaranteed square mouth
I like the fact that the this trimmer turns the case and not the cutter. It operates like a lathe and guarantees a square mouth. I have not had any issues with changes in trim length like others have reported. Consistent pressure when tightening the collet will prevent changes in trim length. I have not had problems with the cutter getting dull, but I do not use nickel plated cases which would be hard on any cutter.
A Fine Trimmerhim
REDDING makes quality products. This trimmer is no exception. There are faster trimmers out there, but few are more accurate than this one with the micrometer. The only trimmer I like better is the Sinclair/Wilson trimmer set up which allows the micrometer to be set for the exact cartridge length. I mainly use the Sinclair/Wilson trimmer however I keep this one on hand for extra long cases.
Limited Usefullness
30 years ago, I started with an RCBS case trimmer. After suffering with it for 10 years, I bought the Redding unit for it's unique design (spinning the case, instead of the cutter). It has some design idiosyncrasies that keep it from excellence. You must pull HARD on the handle to release it after you've trimmed more than a few thousandths in length on a case. The excess shavings get caught in the case pilot and I've never been able to remedy that issue. It makes for a lot of extra effort. The accuracy in the length of cut is determined by the case head diameter. With different case head sizes in the same caliber, you'll see different lengths. The design can never equal the accuracy of the Wilson design. Now, I've finally "graduated" to the excellent Wilson trimmer and find it to be a joy to use. This Redding trimmer is now used for spinning case bodies while I'm using a Sinclair neck trimmer to uniform case necks. It's a quick and efficient process on .308 or shorter cases with that aspect of the Redding trimmer. For other than that use, I cannot recommend it.
Unsatisfactory
This trimmer needs help. The tin cutter is not very good especially with nickle plated cases. Will trim less than 500 rounds. The universal collett needs help does not allow for any minute changes in case dimension and that changes trim length. After approx 50 rounds the tin cutter became dull and the cutter head tightens while trimming thus changing case length. Buy the Wilson. I would not recommend to any enemy either. Not at all up to Redding Standards.
In engineering terms, it can't work prop
This is the first piece of Redding gear that Ive not liked. Its a fundamentally flawed design that would require three hands to have half a chance of working. Clearly, a collet is fundamentally suited to the task of machining no dispute. The problem is that in this implementation, one has to do three tasks simultaneously: 1) press the case into the open collet against the reference plane, 2) hold the lock and 3) turn the handle to close the collet. The intent is that step 1) be done by pressing the case against the cutter. In practice this is very inconsistent and either results in a) notches in the case mouth when little or no trimming was needed or b) a severely over-trimmed case. Without three hands, I conclude that it cant be done. After wasting several .338 LM cases @ >$3 each Id returned the trimmer for credit. Simply put, its poorly engineered and CANT work correctly. Stay away.
Don't waste your time
Boy do I miss my old Lyman trimmer! I used it for over 30 years with simple, repeatable accuracy until the collet finally gave out. This Redding will NOT trim with consistent accuracy. I get variances of .005 or a bit more EVERY TIME! So don't waste your time as mine is going back to brownells.
Not to good
It worked great for about 300 cases. Then the button system that is supposed to close the collet and secure a case, failed. It keeps slipping out of the groove in the collet holder.
