Giraud vs. Dillon Case Trimmer

[ZNiner]

A question for the experienced reloaders out there. I am new to reloading so I have been taking my time getting things together. I think I am down to the final few big dollar items I need to get to complete my reloading setup.

At this point I have a Dillion 550B along with a Thumlers tumbler. I am trying to get the best of breed when it comes to the equipment in the hopes of not having to upgrade in the future.

I am looking at getting a case trimmer next and wanted feedback on the Giraud vs. Dillion case trimmer. As far as application goes, they will be used for both plinking and precision loads. There is about $200 price difference here but beyond price, what I am really looking for in regards to feedback is which trimmer will last me for a lifetime of use, be easiest to use and maintain, be consistent in quality of output, and provide me with the widest variety in regards to case compatibility.

I appreciate any info you guys can toss my way.

After the trimmer I will get the RCBS Chargemaster Powder dispenser, various small items, and finally the dies.

[bootcamp]

A question for the experienced reloaders out there. I am new to reloading so I have been taking my time getting things together. I think I am down to the final few big dollar items I need to get to complete my reloading setup.

At this point I have a Dillion 550B along with a Thumlers tumbler. I am trying to get the best of breed when it comes to the equipment in the hopes of not having to upgrade in the future.

I am looking at getting a case trimmer next and wanted feedback on the Giraud vs. Dillion case trimmer. As far as application goes, they will be used for both plinking and precision loads. There is about $200 price difference here but beyond price, what I am really looking for in regards to feedback is which trimmer will last me for a lifetime of use, be easiest to use and maintain, be consistent in quality of output, and provide me with the widest variety in regards to case compatibility.

I appreciate any info you guys can toss my way.

After the trimmer I will get the RCBS Chargemaster Powder dispenser, various small items, and finally the dies.

Dillon trimmer. Once you get it dialed it's accurate for me within .002

And the best part of it all, you incorporate it with the reloader. Not like the Girard trimmer where it's a whole nother step or task. Even if it's like a pencil sharpener...it's still another task.

I have it attached to my "brass prep" toolhead and it trims right after the decapping/resizer stage.

The saying all reloaders should go by unless you're absolutely broke. "BUY ONCE, CRY ONCE". If you're broke you probably should shelve reloading until your funds are in order. We all do it to save some money, but if you don't start out with the right tools, you end up spending twice....even if you do sell the 1st part you start out with, you'll never get the money you paid for it new. Just me.... and probably too much that it'll probably offend you.

[Twystd1]

What Bootcamp said.

And I have both.

[Waldog]

I don't have the Dillon trimmer. I do have a Giraud trimmer and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Once it's adjusted and you learn a consistent technique, your cases will be +/- .001". My only regret is that I didn't buy it sooner.

Bootcamp and Twysted1 can correct me if I'm wrong but, I don't think the Dillon trimmer chamfers the inside and outside of the neck while trimming to length. I think it only trims to length. The Giraud does both!

[Waldog]

I don't have a clue how I did all those posts. Sorry!

[joelogic]

Must be really excited about your Giraud.

[Sheldon]

I had a Dillon and sold it for the Giraud. I liked the fact it champhers and deburrs the mouth of the case as it trims, but if that isn't a big concern the Dillon works well too. The Dillon gets HOT when you run it for any length of time and my vacuum was noisy as hell when run with the Dillon trimmer. The Giraud is not as noisey and doesn't require a vacuum running at the same time to draw the chips away. Having run both I prefer the Giraud.

[bootcamp]

I don't have the Dillon trimmer. I do have a Giraud trimmer and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Once it's adjusted and you learn a consistent technique, your cases will be +/- .001". My only regret is that I didn't buy it sooner.

Bootcamp and Twysted1 can correct me if I'm wrong but, I don't think the Dillon trimmer chamfers the inside and outside of the neck while trimming to length. I think it only trims to length. The Giraud does both!

The dillon cuts it so well there is no need to chamfer and debur. That was a concern when I was buying it, but all concerns disappeared after that first trim!

[FLIGHT762]

I've owned the Dillon, Gracey and a Giraud. I sold the Dillon and the Gracey and only use a Giraud now.

The Dillon is a great trimmer if you run it on a progressive press. When you initially set up the trimmer die, you need to use a bump gauge to set it up. Some of the trimmer dies can bump the shoulder of the case and you can over bump if not careful. After the trim, you have to run the cases again through a regular F/L die with a button or a mandrel to get the proper neck tension. This is easy to do on a progressive since you just put a F/L die in the #2 or #3 station. It makes for another operation for the brass on a single stage press.

I use single stage for my rifle ammo and the Giraud works best for me.

[ZNiner]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to order a Giraud trimmer after the holidays.

[dragon7]

I had the Dillon trimmer for a while. Does a great job but it is noisy with the vacuum attachment as started on an earlier response. Traded it off and bought a Giraud. Although it's an extra step I'm really pleased how consistently trimmed and finished my brass comes out.

[California-Quigley]

Giraud all the way... I use it for all of my rifle calibers... I do have a forster on hand for something tiny....

Doug's customer service is great as well! I am buying an annealer from him here soon!

[thmpr]

The Giraud is the way to go because it cuts, debur, and chamfers.... I believe the point into reloading is to increase accuracy.

[EL_NinO619]

I have a Dillon and LOVE it, and I am a Hornady guy. It cuts so clean you don't need to chamfur and deburr unless your going for bench loads. I can crank out hundreds in a hour when its strapped on my LnL.

[1idcat]

I have a Dillon and LOVE it, and I am a Hornady guy. It cuts so clean you don't need to chamfur and deburr unless your going for bench loads. I can crank out hundreds in a hour when its strapped on my LnL.

+1.

I use the Dillon on my LNLAP, and love it! The cut is precisely square; no burr to take off. Even with Flat Base bullets, loading is not a problem.