34 replies to this topic

[Magic Chicken]

Other than John and SBF with their ($365) Giraud Trimmers , what do the rest of you use for power trimmers? I've just started trimming with my manual Hornady trimmer and I got through setup and 3 cases before I decided manual trimmers are for the birds.

[Braz]

I use a RCBS manual trimmer. Yep, they are a pain to use, but the more you use it the easier it is. Not that it is easy!!

[Soreloser]

I use a RCBS manual trimmer. Yep, they are a pain to use, but the more you use it the easier it is. Not that it is easy!!

Buy the drill attachment for your manual trimmers. Saves $300 and easier on the wrist.

[ShooterJohn]

Buy the drill attachment for your manual trimmers. Saves $300 and easier on the wrist.

Possum Hollow makes a nice case trimmer you can use with a drill. It's hard on the fingers (blisters) but easy on the wallet.

[Cranky Farmer]

Once you go Giraud you won't go back!

[ShooterJohn]

Once you go Giraud you won't go back!

Hallelujah I've seen the light!

[A17Shooter]

Chuck a variable speed drill motor on my forester. Low tech, low price, and it works. Also use it for neck turning.A17Shooter

[ShooterJohn]

Anything power wise works. I trimmed many thousands of cases with this tool the Possum Hollow case trimmer. I found a picture of it to show it's pretty simple but quiet speedy.

[Cranky Farmer]

I just picked up another shell holder for my Giraud unit so that I can trim my 300 WSM brass. This thing is just way too awesome!!

[ShooterJohn]

I know I've got a collection of them myself now. I used to be hesitant to change the trimmer for fear I'd mess it up but i can do it blind folded now. Nothing does the job as easy as the Giraud case trimmer. The only thing easier is getting the wife to do them for me.

[mrkubota]

I finally got around to modifying and upgrading my Gracey trimmer with the Giraud upgrade kit I bought some time ago.Doug provides a detailed set of instructions with the parts kit, but it's certainly NOT a 'drop-in' and go type of affair.There's a lot of drilling, tapping, and electrical work involved! If you aren't comfortable around electricity, hand and power tools, this isn't the kind of thing you'll like at all! You must change out the motor, drive coupler (tubing/clamps), add power switch, drill/tap cutter shaft for new cutter, replace cutter. Test it!!It is a worthwhile upgrade if you are willing/able to do the conversion work.'Original' Gracey pics can be seen here: http://www.matchprep.com/The is the end result of the conversion:Drill, and tap shaft for new set screw and replace cutters with Giraud carbide cutter.http://www.daplane.c...d_upgrade_1.jpgAdjust case collar to desired trim length. Cutter chamfers inside and out at the same time...http://www.daplane.c...d_upgrade_2.jpgAdmire your handiwork..http://www.daplane.c...d_upgrade_3.jpg

[ShooterJohn]

That's no hill for a climber! Good job it looks like it works just dandy.

[One Eye!]

Just to let everyone know im new to this page so bear with me.Has anyone tried the Dillon trimmer?Dillon has a trimmer for all standard cartigages.this is a great tool if you are going to trim a lot of brass.the Trimmer runs at about 10,000 rpm has a carbide bits that are replaceable. Ive used the same bits for around 20,000 rounds and its still looks like new. Most the 20,000 are for my AR and FN. It sizes the brass then trims.Ive modifyed my Lymann by adding a drill to it but this dillon just works so much better.

[Magic Chicken]

welcome Rod, looks like another Bakersfield member from your name.

[ShooterJohn]

Yeah Rod Welcome! It's about time you posted. I looked at the Dillon originally and the main reason I didn't get one is it doesn't deburr the case mouths like both the Gracey and Giraud's do. That changes the neck tension on your cases and I hate deburring the most. So Magic Chicken when are you going to step up with the big boys and buy one! j/k well sort of.

[Magic Chicken]

I guess when I decide that my money isn't better spent on more guns! lol actually, I just started IPSC/USPSA shooting too, so if I decide to reload 40S&W for that, I'll most definitely need a good trimmer. Many more rounds fired at a match than at the bench with my 204.

[ShooterJohn]

I understand completely. I just have lots of guns.

[Thumper Dunker]

Lyman hate triming do not realy like to load but i need shells lots and lots of shells

[ShooterJohn]

Tim, size those .223 shells of yours and throw them in a bag. Get them to me and I'll trim them for you.

[Thumper Dunker]

Tim, size those .223 shells of yours and throw them in a bag. Get them to me and I'll trim them for you.

I need to shoot them up first When I get a bunch I will take you up on your offer. Drive up for a visit whats for dinner

[One Eye!]

Thanks all for accepting me to your conversation!Im still not sure I get the idea behind the Giraud?I went to the web page and was able to look at the Giraud. I just dont know how it works? If this is the better mouse trap id buy it but never seeing one in action makes for a lot of questions?If you have one and wouldnt mind sharing the how to's id like to know about it!And Yes Im from Bakersfield. Not real good on the computer so later with a little more time I can figure out how everything works Life will be better. :-}

[ShooterJohn]

Im still not sure I get the idea behind the Giraud?I went to the web page and was able to look at the Giraud. I just dont know how it works?

Rod you are always welcome.The Giraud works like a fancy pencil sharpener. You just insert a sized case into it and it trims to length as well as debrring the inside and outside of the case. It is extremely popular with benchrest shooters because it does such a fine job at case trimming. At most you might get a variance of .001" in a batch. As fast as you can insert the cases they are trimmed. I've done many thousands of cases with it and it is so fast. I've even redone cases I'd trimmed before that I thought were done well and found it trimmed them too. The reason it is so well liked by bench and target shooters is that you get consistent case neck tension. When it comes to precise ammo that's a big factor. Do you need one, probably not. But would you enjoy one most definitely.

[One Eye!]

Thanks!Sounds like I need to look into this a lot farther.The Dillion I have is fast and all that but it has some draw backs. For me set up is the most time consuming. I think the idea of holding them with your hand is a very different to me? I cant get past the idea that the trimmer will will trim + or - 001?Might be a new idea for Christmas?

[ShooterJohn]

I cant get past the idea that the trimmer will will trim + or - 001?

It does that easily. In fact you get tired looking for one that isn't perfect.Then after Christmas comes and your birthday rolls around you can look into one of these. It's an automatic case annealer. I finally got mine going and before i knew it I was out of cases to anneal. DARN!

[One Eye!]

Now thats a toy! :-}I know im showing my ignorance but cant you get the same effect with just buying the next size bigger expander ball?

[ShooterJohn]

Now thats a toy! :-}I know im showing my ignorance but cant you get the same effect with just buying the next size bigger expander ball?

Not for annealing. The more you work the cases the more or faster they split and crack. Annealing softens the necks again and allows them to be resized without that fear. It also helps with neck tension again because it keeps them consistent. It sure does a nice job too. You just drop the cases in a hole and the wheel turns actually spinning the case as it moves so that the case gets the flame evenly. I can't tell you how many burns to my hands I've had over the years annealing cases by hand. Plus I didn't anneal them as evenly as this does it or anywhere near as quickly.

[Magic Chicken]

and how much and where did you get that beast?

[ShooterJohn]

and how much and where did you get that beast?

Here you go they're $325 scroll down the page you can't miss it.http://kenlightmfg.com/products.html

[Stiff Neck]

How much brass would you have to burn thru to make that a worthwhile purchase for the typical shooter here?

[ShooterJohn]

I don't shoot like I used to but what I do shoot I like it to be the most accurate I can make. I mean to me if it isn't accurate I don't want to shoot it, period. But you can get different cutters for different calibers and they are very easy to change after you've done it once. I don't know that I can give a fair number you'd have to shoot. But I've done over 50,000 .223 cases with mine so far and not one problem or the need for new cutters. They're carbide and will last forever. I also run other people cases through it and it still runs like a top. It is a chunk of change but it makes doing a really miserable job a joy. And it does it perfectly case after case after case.