BPI "Trim Doctor"

[rickk]

I just got my hands on the newer style "Trim Doctor" from Ballistic Products.

The "Trim Doctor" is designed for trimming plastic shotgun hulls to a length shorter than they originally were. For instance, if you want to remove the old star crimp from a case so you can roll crimp it, or if you want to shorten a case to fit an older shotgun that won't safely accept a 2-3/4" shell.


The original version was a bit finicky to adjust and to keep all hulls the same length. The new one is real easy to set up. The adjustment screw bottoms out on the inside bottom of the hull, so as long as you are trimming hulls of the same type they will all come out the same length.

The removable collet  not only allows you to use the trim doctor on different sized hulls, it also makes it easy to remove the trimmed of ring of plastic.

After a bit of practice... a half dozen cases or so to get a "technique" down, the result is a very squared off hull mouth. I found the trick to go with gentle pressure a couple times around the case to score a line in the plastic hull, and then go the rest of the way with a bit more pressure in the next couple of turns. If you try to do it all in one revolution sometimes the beginning and the end would not quite line up.

Once I got a rhythm down, it took about a minute per hull to trim. This is one of those mostly brainless tasks that can be done in front of the TV.

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Trim-Doctor-Shotshell-Case-Tool/productinfo/TRIM/

Yes, there are other ways to trim hulls. I have done it in a drill press with a forstner bit, but this is way easier and way safer.

Rick

[litl rooster]

thanks for sharing

[Fairshake]

I purchased the trim doctor about thjree years ago and always had problems with it cutting different lengths and angles. Precision Reloading also sells such a devise that is easier to use and does a better job with the trimming of hulls. It is called the D-Loader and you do have to purchase another piece. But that piece is made so that you may make adjustments as small as a 1/16th of a inch. I will have to give my vote to it but YMMV.

[rickk]

Fairshake, does yours look like the current model (with the collets)?

With the older one I had the problems you are mentioning. The newer one eliminated all those problems.

[Noz]

Purchase a 3" long piece of 3/4 ID plastic pipe.  Cut to length desired. Drive uncut shell into pipe until it bottoms on the rim. Cut exposed portion off with a utility knife.
Done.

[Dick Dastardly]

Just because my arthritic hands tend to fatigue, I can only use my Trim Dr. for a few hulls.  When I have a bunch to do I use my band saw.

DD-DLoS

[Howdy Doody]

Scoring and then cutting off is a good method. Another thing I use is one of those thinner type jar opener round rubber dohickies. That gives a firm grim on the hull and with slight pressure inward as you turn it they make a decent cut. I found the Stanley blades you get at Lowes holds up longer than the one you get with the tool. It just is not fast for me, so I am not doing that many, but the Trim Doctor does work.

[Springfield Slim]

I use Noz's method, never could get the trim Doctor to cut right. And PVC pipe is nearly free.

[rickk]

I accidentally discovered that I can get just as good of a trim without bothering with the collet, and things go quite a bit faster without having to remove and install the collet to get the trimmed end out.

This is the 12 gauge setup. I'm not sure what would happen with different gauges as I don't do other gauges.