I wanted to ask the question for those who use the Girard trimmer for brass and bullet meplat trimming. How accurate is the results and how consistent? Do any of you use it to produce match ammo? Any info would be great.
Girard trimmer accuracy
- Thread starter PJ/AIR/FIRE
- Start date
I find mine to be accurate for case trimming. As I'm sure you know, the case indexes on the shoulder, and if the length from base to shoulder is inconsistent the base to case mouth distance will be inconsistent as well. It helps to make/have made a case holder from the reamer used to cut your chamber.
I've not yet used it to trim meplats.
I've not yet used it to trim meplats.
I have found it to be very consistent; it is as consistent as your sizing technique..but no more. I use custom dies and anneal before sizing and my shoulders at the chosen datum are within 0.001" or better on 95% of the cases. Since the Giraud indexes off the shoulder, the OAL of a trimmed case will be only as consistent as the sizing operation. I find it an excellent tool for bulk case prep. I have only started to use the meplat trimmer and school is still out. The Delrin caliber specific insert allows a bit of 'wobble' when the end mill engages the tip of the bullet and compared to the Montour County Rifle meplat trimmer I use, it is not as even of a trim. That being said, I suspect as I work with my technique on the Giraud, the results with the meplat trimmer will improve as I have several friends that are very happy with their results.
I was worried before I brought one a few months ago but since using it I would say it is very accurate. Others have pointed out the importance of headspace, but in the end if your headspace is all over the place, I would not worry about trim length... They go hand in hand - precision is needed for every part of the reloading process.
It does a super job and does it effortlessly which means you will use it every time to make sure your trim length is perfect because it is so easy, and that means you will get better ammo.
It does a super job and does it effortlessly which means you will use it every time to make sure your trim length is perfect because it is so easy, and that means you will get better ammo.
dcali
Bullet Maker
Mine trims to +/- .001" pretty reliably. If you align it horizontally, though, you get into trouble because chips work their way in between the shoulder stop and the brass shoulder, causing it to trim long by however big the chip is. But upright, it's a breeze. Very repeatable.
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