We Tested the New RCBS MatchMaster Precision Trimmer

I felt a little like The Toolman going from a hand-crank case trimmer to the new RCBS MatchMaster Precision Trimmer, but I was much happier with the outcome.

Designed in partnership with Henderson Precision, the MatchMaster trimmer uses an 115v electric motor to spin a set of carbide blades that trim, chamfer, and deburr cartridge cases in one motion. It’s among the most expensive case trimmers, but it’s also one of the most time-saving upgrades you can make to your single-stage reloading bench. It speeds up what I think is the most onerous part of the case prep process, and saves your arm from tennis elbow, to boot.

Here’s how it works.

Why Do You Need to Trim Brass?

Before you consider investing in a motorized trimmer, you should make sure you reload cartridges that actually need to be trimmed between firings. As a general rule, bottleneck rifle cartridges should be trimmed regularly while lower-pressure pistol cartridges can be fired many times without needing a trim.

That’s because when gunpowder ignites within a case, the case expands. Then, when that case is sized back down to its original dimensions, the case material is mushed (technical term) forward, increasing the length. The extent to which the case expands depends on the pressure within the chamber, which is why rifle cartridges grow much more than pistol cartridges do.

I’ve reloaded thousands of rounds of 9mm, and I don’t recall ever seeing a case grow beyond the maximum recommended length. On the other hand, bottleneck rifle cases can exceed that length after one or two firings. For example, the 6.5 Creedmoor cases I loaded for this test measured 1.912 inches after being fired once. But after a full-length resize, they grew to 1.922 inches, beyond the maximum recommended length. If the cases are allowed to grow too long, the chamber pressure can spike and cause a significant (and life-threatening) malfunction.

Your reloading manual will include a maximum overall case length and a recommended trim-to length. I usually aim for that trim-to length. This usually keeps the cases in the safe zone even if I forget to trim between firing. I also think ensuring that each case is the exact same length promotes consistency and accuracy. If all the bullets are contacting the same amount of case neck, it stands to reason they’d hit more consistent velocities (this is especially true if you crimp the cases to the bullet).

TLDR? If you primarily reload pistol ammo, you can probably take a pass on the MatchMaster Precision Trimmer. But if you roll your own rifle cartridges, keep reading.

Henderson Precision + RCBS

If you’ve been in the market for a high-end case trimmer, the MatchMaster will look familiar. Henderson Precision was the first to release this design, and RCBS worked closely with their engineers to create the MatchMaster.

There are a few differences. The RCBS model includes a micrometer length adjustment that allows you to tweak the trim length without any tools. It’s a huge time-saver during the setup process, and in my experience the adjustments are extremely accurate. The MatchMaster also uses a 360-degree shield that traps the brass shavings, and a plastic bin that allows the user to drop the cases rather than pulling them out of the shell holder.

Three-Way Cutting

The basic functionality, however, mirrors Henderson’s product. Cases are fitted into the handle by turning it counterclockwise, which loosens the internal collet. The base of the case can then be inserted into the collet and tightened by turning the handle clockwise. The collet that comes with the MatchMaster (#1) fits a huge array of cartridges in the .223 Rem., .308 Win., and magnum families, but other collet sizes are available.

The cutters are spun via the motor, and they’re secured inside an ingeniously designed three-way cutting head. The cutting head is tapered, so it doesn’t take a tremendous amount of force to secure tightly. But it also includes three set screws that allow the cutters and pilot to be adjusted and removed.

The pilot simply guides the case mouth towards the cutters to help ensure a straight cut. The box comes with a set of pilots that fit .22 to .30 caliber cartridges, and they can be swapped out by loosening the set screw in the cutting head.

The cutters can also be adjusted and removed by loosening the set screws. One cutter trims and chamfers the outside of the case while the other trims and deburrs the inside. Setting up the MatchMaster trimmer was remarkably easy, but this is probably the trickiest part. The cutters have to be reset each time you switch calibers, and they have to be adjusted so that both make contact with the case mouth. It’s not difficult, but I made sure to check and recheck I was following the instructions before I started trimming.

Once the cutters are set and the correct pilot is installed, you can adjust the trim length using the micrometer. This worked exactly as advertised. I inserted a case into the collet in the handle, and with the motor off, pushed it forward until it was just resting on the cutters. I then adjusted the micrometer thimble until it was resting on the micrometer stop. I fired up the motor (uhharrhh aahh aahh!), pushed the handle forward, and watched as the cutters trimmed, chamfered, and deburred the case. Finally, I measured the case, made the adjustment to the micrometer, and trimmed the case to appropriate length.

Consistency, Consistency

Setup takes a few minutes, but once you get the trimmer set to the correct length, it’s remarkably consistent.

I was aiming for 1.910 inches on this set of 50 6.5 Creedmoor cases. Whether they ended up being 1.915 inches or 1.905 didn’t make much difference–I just wanted to make sure they were all close to the same length.

I cut about ten cases as a practice run, then cut another 50 to test the consistency of the unit. I measured all 50, and here were my results.

RCBS says the MatchMaster Precision Trimmer is repeatable down to .001, and I’d say that’s spot on–once you get the hang of it. If you use a lot of force to press the handle forward, the cases can be one or two thousands of an inch shorter than if you use a lighter touch. You also have to make sure the case is fully seated in the collet. If it’s not, you might end up with a case that’s shorter than you want it. It takes some practice, but once you get the feel for it, it’s easy to be super consistent.

The brass catcher also helped me to get into a nice rhythm. All I had to do was turn the handle counterclockwise, and each trimmed, chamfered, and deburred case dropped cleanly into the bin.

I didn’t time myself, but I estimate that the Precision Trimmer cut my trimming time by 75%, and gave me more consistent lengths, better chamfer/deburrs, and a whole lot less wear and tear on the ol’ elbow.

Last Shot

The RCBS MatchMaster Precision Trimmer will set you back about $700. That’s the cost of a new rifle, so I understand if you’d rather prioritize other gun-related gear. But for a competitive shooter, ammo stockpiler, or other high-volume reloader, this thing is worth a look.

It saves time and increases consistency, but more than anything, it makes the reloading process more enjoyable. I’ve been known to resize a bunch of brass only to let it sit on the bench for weeks as I steel myself to go 12 rounds against the hand-crank trimmer. I no longer have that excuse. That means more reloading, more practice rounds, more range time, and hopefully, more confidence and consistency behind the trigger.