M14 Forum

Round Dial · August 25th, 2011, 11:16 AM

I really need to start handling my brass less and become more efficient while reloading. I'm looking at both the Gracey and Giraud trimmers. The Giraud is about $150 more. I'd like to trim .223, .308, and 300/221 (300 Whisper) . I use .223 for about 2/3 of my HP shooting and the rest is obviously .308. The 300/221 is purely a fun gun which I'm reloading using cut down .223 brass. I saw someone on youtube using a Dillon 650 and trimmer to trim to length. While I understand that trimmers are designed just for removing a few thousandths, it would be great if I could use it for the making of 300/221 brass as well. My primary concern is prepping .223 and .308.

Thanks

rugerm44 · August 25th, 2011, 11:31 AM

I have a giraud.Smooth as silk.Can't say much about the othere.Its fast,very fast.

TexIndian · August 25th, 2011, 11:58 AM

I've got a Gracey (two actually). I'm like you, 90+% of my shooting is .223 and .308. Adjusting the little cutter blades when switching calibers on the Gracey is a real pain if you don't do it all the time and I eventually got the second one to avoid that hassle. I use a crank trimmer for my other rifle caliber - 7 mag. (I also have a 22-250 but the .223 settings work with it so long as I use a different case holder).

I'm kinda wishing I has the Giraud. It's motor is more powerful and it lets you swap cutter heads instead of fooling with adjusting the cutter blades. (Gracey now has this option too but I think it's a little more trouble than the Giraud.)

Both machines deburr and chamfer at the same time they are trimming. Sweet!! If you neck size only on your brass, it may not fit easily into the case holder (because it's a little fatter than f-l resized brass, but Gracey will make you a custom case holder to fit your brass for just the price of the holder itself (I'm guessing Giraud will do the same).

nf1e@snet.net · August 25th, 2011, 12:52 PM

I have had for awhile and love the Giraud trimmer. I made the mistake of visiting with Mr Giraud out at Camp Perry a couple of weeks ago and one of his power anealing machines followed me home. The guy knows his stuff. Changing the dies from 223 to 308 and back on the trimmer is a peice of cake. Takes about 30 seconds.
Semper Fi
Art

ODJr1 · August 25th, 2011, 01:07 PM

Giraud is the way to go I love mine

panther308 · August 25th, 2011, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ODJr1

Giraud is the way to go I love mine

Love mine

demjones · August 25th, 2011, 05:44 PM

I also met Mr. Giraud at Camp Perry this month. A 30-06 holder came home with me, expanding my capabilities to .223, .308 & 30-06.

Did I mention that I love my Giraud trimmer?

drshame · August 25th, 2011, 05:56 PM

See a pattern here?
+1 for Giraud.
Though a Dillon 650 Xl, Casefeeder and their trimmer die/motor buzzes thru .223 as fast as you can pull the lever.

BDH · August 25th, 2011, 06:39 PM

There is a less expensive alternative...it's not a Cadillac or Bentley though...

http://www.creedmoorsports.com/store...cat=360&page=1

I don't know if you can increase or decrease how much you remove (my guess it's preset) but that also makes it harder to screw up a piece of brass. They are caliber specific.

Bruce

NYCSTRIPES · August 25th, 2011, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDH

There is a less expensive alternative...it's not a Cadillac or Bentley though...

http://www.creedmoorsports.com/store...cat=360&page=1

I don't know if you can increase or decrease how much you remove (my guess it's preset) but that also makes it harder to screw up a piece of brass. They are caliber specific.

Bruce

I have one of these trimmers from Creedmoor, I like it. it is adjustable. It sets off the shoulder but the cutting head can be put deeper into the tool to cut more or less material. Its held in place with a small set screw.

Colter · August 25th, 2011, 07:44 PM

Giruad is the bees knees!

mineralman55 · August 26th, 2011, 06:45 AM

+1 on the trimmer from Creedmoor. It's from Little Crow Gun Works, Creedmoor just markets it for them. I bought one early this year, and it's fantastic for batch trimming. It has a 2-flute endmill inside it, indexes off the case shoulder and is adjustable for depth of cut. The trim cut is square, and it is so clean I found that I didn't need to debur or chamfer. It's a good intermediate unit between the inexpensive (but excellent) Lee trimmers and the expensive (but excellent) Giraud.

http://www.littlecrowgunworks.com/

Round Dial · August 26th, 2011, 09:18 AM

Thanks for the input guys. The ease of changing calibers is major selling point to me. Sounds like the Giraud is worth the extra money. Last time I looked into a power trimmer the Giraud didn't list 30/221. Now they do, so that will save the cost of a custom trimmer holder. I'm having a hard time spending that much money on a trimmer. Think of how many bullets that would buy! I think it's time to bite the bullet (sorry for the pun) and get the trimmer. I enjoy reloading, but what I really need is more range time.