SmallCaliberCentral

Do i need to also order the .17 / .20 cal cutter to trim .204 ruger properly? Also im stuck between ordering the wilson trimmer with sinclairs micrometer that reads actual trim length, vs wilsons own micrometer which looks like a stronger and sturdier design to me. i know the wilson only gives micrometer final adjustment which would be fine by me if it seems like a stouter design. please let me know what one you prefer using, i havent found any reviews on wilson's mic.

skidooracer_99 wrote:Do i need to also order the .17 / .20 cal cutter to trim .204 ruger properly?

You don't need a new cutter, but you will need a 20 cal ball for your trimmer.

I trim 20 caliber with the standard cutter. My trimmer does not have the micrometer head, I just use the inside jaws on a pair of calipers to measure the distance from the rear stop to the cutter head. Not sure on the "ball", my trimmer does not have balls?!

By Ball, I believe he is referring to the pilot on the trimmer body, to hold the neck in good proportion/size. Bill K

Thanks Bill, for helping me clarify what I was trying to say. I guess at the time of my post, my CRS was in full operation mode.

RAMOS wrote:Not sure on the "ball", my trimmer does not have balls?!

Hey RAMOS, my trimmer does have balls, and I bet yours does too. You just need a very, very good microscope to see them!

The cutting head on my trimmer does not have a pilot. Brass sits in the case holder and that is all I have for alignment while resting on the trimmer bed. I will grab my magnifying lens to make and take a look. Pretty sure it has already been neutered, though.

In regards to the original question: When I ordered this trimmer a few years ago from Sinclair, I asked them if I needed to order the 17/20 cutter. They were nice enough to open one up and measure the smallest caliber it would trim. I was told 20 caliber, possibly 19 caliber. The guy did say he was not sure if each and everyone of them were ground exactly the same.

Thanks ramos for actually answering my question without all the balls talk. lol thats exactly what i was wondering, i do have plans to reload for a .17 rem eventually in the future so i might as well order the smaller cutter while im at it.

RAMOS wrote:The cutting head on my trimmer does not have a pilot. Brass sits in the case holder and that is all I have for alignment while resting on the trimmer bed. I will grab my magnifying lens to make and take a look. Pretty sure it has already been neutered, though.

In regards to the original question: When I ordered this trimmer a few years ago from Sinclair, I asked them if I needed to order the 17/20 cutter. They were nice enough to open one up and measure the smallest caliber it would trim. I was told 20 caliber, possibly 19 caliber. The guy did say he was not sure if each and everyone of them were ground exactly the same.

Interesting. My RCBS trimmer has pilots that fit on the cutter head side, I use 17/20, 22, 25, 30 and 375 in this unit to keep the mouth in line with the cutter/trimmer blade. Bill K

Seems like the majority of the case length trimmers employ a collet type rear holder and a caliber specific pilot at the case mouth. The LE Wilson is a different animal. It has a rear stop screw (or micrometer) and a cartridge specific holder that the case slides in to. This holder rests on the trimmer bed, between two rails. This is what holds the case in-line with the cutting head, keeping everything nice and square.