Is the Giraud still the Cadillac of trimmers?

[Tsu45]

If I only need to mass trim about 6 chambering?

 

[Straightshooter1]

If I only need to mass trim about 6 chambering?

The Henderson is a good challenger.

The thing I like most about the Henderson is when doing large quantities it's so much easier on old hands like mine; quick and easy to load and remove a case from the holder. Also, the one case holder is designed to hold various case diameters.

This video should give you some good things to think about:

 

[lawrence97]

I have a Giraud and really like it. I thought about the Henderson but decided against it. They are both quality trimmers and cost is about the same for several calibers.
The most notable difference is that the Giraud indexes off the case shoulder to establish trim length. This will give you the same neck length from the case shoulder to edge of neck. The Giraud relies on a case holder that is caliber specific. The Henderson holds the case from the base with a collet and yields consistent case overall length.

Trimming is fast with both devices. The Giraud can be used upright or laying on its side. Watch some videos and do a cost comparison.

 

[RegionRat]

For folks who have issues with arthritis in their hands, or pain in their fingers, there is more to the differences in how the case is indexed.

The Giraud requires the user to have the dexterity and finger grip to hold the case, the Henderson requires the user to be able to manipulate the case into the holder and tighten, so they do not require the grip or strength to hold against the torque of the cutter.

I don't have the issue, but I have several (really most) of my friends who get severe pain if they run enough cases.

At some point, the difference between the Henderson and the Giraud doesn't boil down to the choice of the datum, but to the pain level in the operator's fingers.

 

[jimmymac]

I have considered both of these trimmers but haven’t bought one yet. For Henderson users, do you find the pilots the case necks slip over to cause galling or any other damage to the inside of the case neck?

I don’t tumble my brass. I’m a believer in retaining the carbon coating that has been deposited in the neck, so I don’t want that disturbed. That’s the main thing that has prevented me from buying a Henderson. I shoot Benchrest. Thanks.

 

[jimmymac]

For Giraud users, do any of you guys trim your brass prior to running it through your sizing die? To me, this seems like it would produce the most consistent result since the shoulder on each freshly fired piece of brass is very consistent with the next.

 

[jimmymac]

I see pluses and minuses with each trimmer. That’s why I ask these questions. The F-Class John comparison video is nice but I’m not sure either of the issues I asked about are addressed.

 

[Straightshooter1]

For Giraud users, do any of you guys trim your brass prior to running it through your sizing die? To me, this seems like it would produce the most consistent result since the shoulder on each freshly fired piece of brass is very consistent with the next.

The thing with sizing after trimming is that the sizing tends to produce varying neck lengths. My process, which includes annealing, produces very consistent shoulder bumps, so I get very consistent neck lengths accordingly with my Giraud.

In F-Class John's video review, I'm quite impressed by the Henderson with the results he found on his AMP Press as shown on the graphs (very consistent trim lengths and starting resistances without the little hitch). The graph for the Henderson trimmed brass looked much closer to what I'd expect where it's somewhat more of a linier line from beginning to end of the seating process.

 

[stavey]

I bought a henderson. The pilot galled the necks and the collet induced uneven chamfers. I went back to the Giraud. Lesson learned.

 

[rijndael]

The thing I like most about the Henderson is when doing large quantities it's so much easier on old hands like mine; quick and easy to load and remove a case from the holder. Also, the one case holder is designed to hold various case diameters.

In the Giraud, you can use a 6.5 Creedmoor shell holder for 6 Creedmoor. They have the same diameter at the shoulder and the same shoulder angle. The same applies for .243 and .308, just get the one for .308.

 

[jimmymac]

I bought a henderson. The pilot galled the necks and the collet induced uneven chamfers. I went back to the Giraud. Lesson learned.

Thanks for the information. That was my big concern, I didn't find any information on it, but it seemed intuitive to me. I will go Giraud. This forum is filled with solid information.

 

[jimmymac]

The thing with sizing after trimming is that the sizing tends to produce varying neck lengths. My process, which includes annealing, produces very consistent shoulder bumps, so I get very consistent neck lengths accordingly with my Giraud.

In F-Class John's video review, I've quite impressed by the Henderson with the results he found on his AMP Press as shown on the graphs (very consistent trim lengths and starting resistances without the little hitch). The graph for the Henderson trimmed brass looked much closer to what I'd expect where it's somewhat more of a linier line from beginning to end of the seating process.

I hear you on on the necks stretching when sizing. My shoulder bump is pretty consistent, so maybe I'm trying to find a problem where none exists. Thanks for your input sir.

 

[Sandstorm]

Jimmy that's what ive been looking at myself..
You do learn a lot from this forum in all things reloading without much effort too.
My fingers have been abused with wrenching on car,s and need a rest...
This just helped me on my decision as well.

 

[jimmymac]

Jimmy that's what ive been looking at myself..
You do learn a lot from this forum in all things reloading without much effort too.
My fingers have been abused with wrenching on car,s and need a rest...
This just helped me on my decision as well.

This forum is so great. It is a big investment. Not looking to make a $700 mistake on this one. I'm going to order one today. I'm tired of my LE Wilson. It is super consistent, but the three steps involved with trim, chamfer and deburr is really quite time consuming. I bulk reload for matches, so I'm all about saving time. Reloading is not a hobby for me. Shooting matches is. I just happen to have to reload.

 

[Matt_3479]

I own both units, and both are excellent at producing good quality and consistency.

The Henderson like mentioned is much easier on the hands and fingers if you’re doing large quantities of brass. It’s a great unit.

The giraud was my first one and it’s been amazing. My shell holders are custom cut so I have to size my brass first In order for them to fit. That said sizing can have an effect on neck length. If you have good dies and good practice in brass prep then your shoulder bump should be consistent. If it’s consistent then so are your neck lengths.

Being use to the giraud I find the Henderson slightly slower as once in a while you don’t put the cases in completely straight and it requires to readjust the case. That’s just user error not a problem with the Henderson.

 

[R.Morehouse]

Not want to derail the thread at all. Just a question for users of either machine. When you are done trimming, do you find it necessary to run some fine steel wool over the freshly trimmed case mouth for any potential micro burrs? Is there any risk of either trimmer bringing the case mouth to a sharp edge if the cutter comes out of adjustment through use?......Thank You

Regards
Rick

 

[rijndael]

When you are done trimming, do you find it necessary to run some fine steel wool over the freshly trimmed case mouth for any potential micro burrs?

Giraud user here .... no.

 

[lawrence97]

Not want to derail the thread at all. Just a question for users of either machine. When you are done trimming, do you find it necessary to run some fine steel wool over the freshly trimmed case mouth for any potential micro burrs? Is there any risk of either trimmer bringing the case mouth to a sharp edge if the cutter comes out of adjustment through use?......Thank You

Regards
Rick

No issue with my Giraud going out of adjustment or requiring steel wool. What’s also nice about the Giraud is that you can adjust the cutter to provide more or less chamfer.

 

[rijndael]

What’s also nice about the Giraud is that you can adjust the cutter to provide more or less chamfer.

It would be even nicer if someone would make a tool/jig that held the cutter & holder and helped with making small adjustments.

 

[jimmymac]

It would be even nicer if someone would make a tool/jig that held the cutter & holder and helped with making small adjustments.

Die lock ring and Skips die shims?