Thread: 6.5 x 55 minimum trim to length?

Most manuals say 2.155". Vihtavuori 2.157".
I have used the Lee case length gauge/trimmer (have bench trimmer as well) in the past and have found them good enough. Have never had one "change" dimensions. Your locking base (stud) shouldn't have the indent though. You haven't been driving it with a batt drill have you?

As for your cases now being 7 thou short I wouldn't sweat on it too much. My 6.5x55AI brass once formed out of std 6.5 Swede brass ends around 15 thou short and it hasn't caused any issues. Fractionally (very fractionaly) less neck support maybe but not significant.

The Wilson trimmer is the Rolls Royce of bench trimmers.

The trim to length in manuals is an industry std safety figure. With my custom chamberings in most cases I can run my cases longer than the manual stated lengths. I have measured all my chamber/neck lengths and also worked off the reamer drawings and set my bench trimmer accordingly.

I would initially just get a new lock stud and try that - they are as cheap as chips. Also measure the length of the rod from the cutter flutes to the tip. I cannot see how it would have got shorter, as they are quite hard.

Oh and yes, been running it with a power drill. But it does come with a power drill attachment on the lock stud so should be ok, surely?

Originally Posted by WillB

Oh and yes, been running it with a power drill. But it does come with a power drill attachment on the lock stud so should be ok, surely?

Yeah, mine has the same attachment but has always just turned it by hand. That is the beauty of the wee Lee. If you check after each resizing you get a feel for how much the case grows and whether you need to trim every time. With the 6.5SM I wouldn't expect much growth so it is easy to just give the Lee a quick turn by hand.