Giraud or Henderson Power Trimmer

[Mike in Oregon]

Which one and why?

I realize the price difference, and I have somewhat compared the two. I have pretty much made-up mind but would like to hear from those who run them.

I would be using them for the following calibers: 17, 20, 22 (in bulk), 6mm and 6.5.

 

[Fire Dog]

Which one and why?

I realize the price difference, and I have somewhat compared the two. I have pretty much made-up mind but would like to hear from those who run them.

I would be using them for the following calibers: 17, 20, 22 (in bulk), 6mm and 6.5.

Or perhaps this one… Indexes off the shoulder and very quick.

ONE set of UGLY SRT Shoulder Referenced Brass Case Trimmer (GEN 2) – Derraco Engineering, the maker of Ugly annealers

 

[stavey]

I have used both. If you want perfection, get the Giraud. If you want a collet spinning in the necks marring them up or uneven chamfers get the Henderson. The Giraud just works. It’s that simple.

 

[powderbrake]

I have a Giraud, and it is really great!
I have two case holders and two cutting blades which I have in 223 and 6BR.
I have exchanged the locknut on the case holders for a Hornady Sure Lok nut , which uses a screw to clamp tight. This allows me to lock the nut on the caseholder so I can exchange caseholders without having to re adjust each time. (screw caseholder in until nut hits front surface of trimmer body)
This is a great time saver. simply replace the caseholder and cutting blade unit for each caliber, and never adjust anything again. Of course that means about $100 for a caseholder and cutter assembly. Or you can buy a caseholder for each caliber, and adjust each time you use it, and adjust the single cutting blade each time.

I have no experience on the Henderson.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

So why would the interoir marring matter?

When comparing the two, I liked what I read with indexing from the base rather than shoulder. To me that sounds like perfection on OAL. But, I'm a newbie!

Note:
I will be doing 5K pcs yealy. So egomaniacs need to be a concern.

 

[DDRanch]

Here is a link to older Giraud thread; https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/anyone-using-the-giraud-power-case-trimmer.3892659/

 

[Jim Ziegler]

+1 on the Giraud. I'm very protective about the insides of my neck, I don't want anything spinning inside them.

 

[LVLAaron]

Giraud.

FWIW In hindsight I probably would have preferred to just buy the individual 1 piece cutters you use in a drill/drill press.

 

[DDRanch]

+1 on the Giraud. I'm very protective about the insides of my neck, I don't want anything spinning inside them.

FYI
Every Giraud Power Case Trimmer comes standard with a Giraud Carbide blade. This blade provides a 15-degree inside case mouth chamfer and a 45-degree outside chamfer, allowing for smooth, burr-free seating of VLD-style bullets.

 

[Evan]

So why would the interoir marring matter?

When comparing the two, I liked what I read with indexing from the base rather than shoulder. To me that sounds like perfection on OAL. But, I'm a newbie!

Note:
I will be doing 5K pcs yealy. So egomaniacs need to be a concern.

Marring the necks affects accuracy at a benchrest level.

OAL doesn’t matter, it’s just convenient to measure with calipers. The distance from the shoulder to the throat matters - you need the neck of your case to stop short of the throat so that it doesn’t “crimp” the bullet and spike pressure dangerously.

That said, you should be trimming cases for at least 0.010” of clearance and shoulder bumps are usually within 0.003” of each other even for sloppy reloaders, so there is plenty of leeway regardless of method to avoid unpleasant results.

 

[gdbleb]

Giraud here. My acquisition predates the Henderson. I had 2 sons and myself shooting XTC and practice at the time. Once you get your shoulder setback ES down (annealing) it is very consistent for OAL - obviously. And it is fast.
I wouldn't relish the need to tighten that bottom case holder for trimming. With the Giraud, you give the case a twist to fully seat the shoulder & ensure accurate alignment.
Two different approaches to the task. I just know the one. Both are top-shelf.
These fast machines make quick work so you'll need an old kitchen towel for a dust cover. ;-)
Also, I retrofit Forster aluminum lock rings.

 

[60723]

My Giraud trims cases to about .0015 accuracy. Probably the same amount my shoulders vary! I have a Wilson also and it trims to .0005. Never been able to tell any difference in Benchrest accuracy

 

[NF1E]

Bought a Giraud from Doug out at Camp Perry years ago and his annealer a short time later. 10s of thousands of cases later both machines are still working perfectly. Whatta Hobby!

 

[FTR_Mojo]

Giraud. It's easy to use. It's precise. Reliable. I've never had a problem with it. Apart from a chip coming off the blade and having to rotate it to a new one.
The one thing I don't like about it is that I wish they'd implemented a clickable dial, so you're not guessing how much to turn it. Then it changes a bit once you tighten it. Which is a bit frustrating.
I'd also have liked a spring loaded case holder. So you put it in and it pushes down on the blade the same tension every time.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

Giraud.

FWIW In hindsight I probably would have preferred to just buy the individual 1 piece cutters you use in a drill/drill press.

Theres an option at a HUGE cost savings!

 

[Mike in Oregon]

Marring the necks affects accuracy at a benchrest level.

OAL doesn’t matter, it’s just convenient to measure with calipers. The distance from the shoulder to the throat matters - you need the neck of your case to stop short of the throat so that it doesn’t “crimp” the bullet and spike pressure dangerously.

That said, you should be trimming cases for at least 0.010” of clearance and shoulder bumps are usually within 0.003” of each other even for sloppy reloaders, so there is plenty of leeway regardless of method to avoid unpleasant results.

See, I learn something every day!! Thanks Evan!

 

[Mike in Oregon]

Thanks, you guys. This is really helping me make a better decision now.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

Bought a Giraud from Doug out at Camp Perry years ago and his annealer a short time later. 10s of thousands of cases later both machines are still working perfectly. Whatta Hobby!

I went with a Bench Source annealer. That will be fine, right?

 

[DDRanch]

Also have Doug's anealer. No complaints!

 

[Trigger-Jerker]

I can’t speak on the Henderson as I’ve never used one. That being said I have a Giraud and have no reason to look elsewhere. I’m 100% satisfied with the results. And for me it’s nice that it’s portable and don’t need to clamp or mount it to something.