Giraud trimmer?

[thefitter]

Is it as accurate as a WILSON Stainless Trimmer with Micrometer? I know it will be faster.

[freonr22]

possum hollow and a drill press?

[CSACANNONEER]

It is both accurate and precise. But, the Giraurd and PH both index off the shoulder. So, if your sizing is screwed up, you will get different case lengths.

[thefitter]

It is both accurate and precise. But, the Giraurd and PH both index off the shoulder. So, if your sizing is screwed up, you will get different case lengths.

I'm a rookie so can you explain please?

[Ahhnother8]

Is it as accurate as a WILSON Stainless Trimmer with Micrometer? I know it will be faster.

There is nothing better out there...

[CSACANNONEER]

I'm a rookie so can you explain please?

It's easy for me to show you. Do you happen to be in the greater LA area?

[FLIGHT762]

I'm a rookie so can you explain please?

What CSA is telling you is that the Giraud uses a proprietary shell holder(similar to the Gracey shell holders) which indexes off of the resized cartridge's shoulder. If you were to cut brass that was resized from a different die(like a small base die set for your AR-10) that bumped the shoulder longer or shorter than the brass you set the length to trim originally for, the brass from the other die may index and cut a little longer or shorter than what you originally set up. It's not a big deal as the shell holder can be adjusted to cut.

I have a Gracey, but if I had to do it all over, I'd go with the Giraud.

[thefitter]

What CSA is telling you is that the Giraud uses a proprietary shell holder(similar to the Gracey shell holders) which indexes off of the resized cartridge's shoulder. If you were to cut brass that was resized from a different die(like a small base die set for your AR-10) that bumped the shoulder longer or shorter than the brass you set the length to trim originally for, the brass from the other die may index and cut a little longer or shorter than what you originally set up. It's not a big deal as the shell holder can be adjusted to cut.

I have a Gracey, but if I had to do it all over, I'd go with the Giraud.

Thank you. But is the Giraud as precise as a manual with micrometer?

I know that the guys that load volume prefer it because it's not manual and therefore much faster. Speed is not as important as precision for me. (At least at this point in my reloading career.)

[FLIGHT762]

Thank you. But is the Giraud as precise as a manual with micrometer?

I know that the guys that load volume prefer it because it's not manual and therefore much faster. Speed is not as important as precision for me. (At least at this point in my reloading career.)

I don't use a manual with a micrometer, so my answer would be no, the manual trimmer with the mic would be more precise, but I'm happy with my Gracey being within .003" or better for case trimming length. I usually trim .015" below SAAMI maximum. What type of shooting are you doing that .001" in trimmed case length would make a difference in accuracy? I do have a manual Forester trimmer, but rarely use it for case trimming. For my odd calibers(.260 Rem.,.338/06, 270 Win.,358 Win.,.300 Win Mag.,300 Weatherby Mag.) I use a Lyman electric trimmer. My Gracey gets used with .223 Rem, .308 Winchester and 30/06.

[CSACANNONEER]

I've trimmed thousands of pieces of brass (all sized at the same time, without changing the die, and ended up with a spread of about .001 either side of my target length.

Anyway, there are basically three ways to index brass for sizing and everyone has their own opinion to which is best. The three index points are the shoulder (Gracey, Giraud, PH, etc), The inside of the case head (K&M and I think Lee are two examples) and the case head (most lathe type trimmers). I along with many other shooters have used all three meathods. If you are sizing your brass consistantly and seperate your brass by headstamps, all three ways are capable of producing brass which is +/- .001". One thing to remember is that with a flat cutter, you will have to debur. This can create a lot of variance in you case length if you get to agressive with your deburing. Also, deburring by hand will lead to a bit of inconsistancies no matter what you do.

As far as a micrometer head, if it makes you feel better, get one but, I can trim brass very consistantly with my Lyman trimmer and a cordless drill, my CH4D trimmer, my K&M trimmerand my Giraud. In fact, I've used the later three to prep 50BMG brass for 1000 yard matches. Now that I have the Giraurd, I use it for match brass and large batches only. For small runs of <1000 sub 50 cartridges, I normally just use my Lyman.

[thefitter]

I've trimmed thousands of pieces of brass (all sized at the same time, without changing the die, and ended up with a spread of about .001 either side of my target length.

Anyway, there are basically three ways to index brass for sizing and everyone has their own opinion to which is best. The three index points are the shoulder (Gracey, Giraud, PH, etc), The inside of the case head (K&M and I think Lee are two examples) and the case head (most lathe type trimmers). I along with many other shooters have used all three meathods. If you are sizing your brass consistantly and seperate your brass by headstamps, all three ways are capable of producing brass which is +/- .001". One thing to remember is that with a flat cutter, you will have to debur. This can create a lot of variance in you case length if you get to agressive with your deburing. Also, deburring by hand will lead to a bit of inconsistancies no matter what you do.

As far as a micrometer head, if it makes you feel better, get one but, I can trim brass very consistantly with my Lyman trimmer and a cordless drill, my CH4D trimmer, my K&M trimmerand my Giraud. In fact, I've used the later three to prep 50BMG brass for 1000 yard matches. Now that I have the Giraurd, I use it for match brass and large batches only. For small runs of <1000 sub 50 cartridges, I normally just use my Lyman.

So if I sort the brass by brand/headstamps, indexing off the shoulder is fine? How about sorting by which rifle the case was fired in, because it's been fire formed to that particular chamber?

[ocabj]

While variances in base to shoulder length after resizing means a variance in trim length on a Giraud, this is the least of your concerns. If you have varying base to shoulder length after resizing, then that means your ammo is going to vary in headspace in the gun. That alone will impact accuracy.

Also, since the Giraud indexes off the shoulder for trim length, this actually ensures that you have the same about of neck length gripping the bullet, which is a good thing.

[CSACANNONEER]

So if I sort the brass by brand/headstamps, indexing off the shoulder is fine? How about sorting by which rifle the case was fired in, because it's been fire formed to that particular chamber?

Whe using a trimmer that indexes off the should, headstamps are not as important as sizing all your brass in one big batch, without removing and replacing your die. But, if you are using a trimmer which indexes off the inside of the case head, sorting brass is very important since, different brass will have different case head thicknesses.

If you are at the point where you are seperating brass by guns, I'd assume that you would also be sorting by headstamp too. Also, if you are going to use brass which has been fireformed to a particular chamber, you will only neck size it. Once you FL size it, it's no longer fireformed.

[thefitter]

Whe using a trimmer that indexes off the should, headstamps are not as important as sizing all your brass in one big batch, without removing and replacing your die. But, if you are using a trimmer which indexes off the inside of the case head, sorting brass is very important since, different brass will have different case head thicknesses.

If you are at the point where you are seperating brass by guns, I'd assume that you would also be sorting by headstamp too. Also, if you are going to use brass which has been fireformed to a particular chamber, you will only neck size it. Once you FL size it, it's no longer fireformed.

Thanks, that helps!

[hill billy]

I have nothing to add other than if my Giraud could cook and put out, I'd marry it. Crank trimmers are for the birds.