Giraurd vs Wilson Case Trimmers

[drn1234]

I am trying to decide what trimmer to buy.

I wanted to ask about the Giruard trimmer. It seems like this will speed up my process dramatically with it being powered, and it will do the inside outside chamfer all in one step.

Due to its speed does the Giruard not do as good a job as a hand held like the Wilson?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Jason Boersma]

look at the Worlds Finest Trimmer, by Little Crow Gunworks, I have two of them and i think they are great and very fast and accurate.

 

[lightman]

I have both and they are both good tools. The Giraud will trim to about .001 every time, which is plenty good enough. I only use mine for the stuff that I load in volume. The caliber change is not bad, but if I'm trimming less than a hundred cases, I use the Wilson. I can do 14 or 15 a minute at a sustained rate with the Giraud. Lightman

 

[Erik Cortina]

I am trying to decide what trimmer to buy.

I wanted to ask about the Giruard trimmer. It seems like this will speed up my process dramatically with it being powered, and it will do the inside outside chamfer all in one step.

Due to its speed does the Giruard not do as good a job as a hand held like the Wilson?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

I have the Giraud, and I believe it is the only way to go. I trim my brass every time because it's so easy.

 

[Shynloco]

I have both and they are both good tools. The Giraud will trim to about .001 every time, which is plenty good enough.

I have the Wilson with the mic. I dare say my Wilson trims to within .001 each time as I measure each casing I trim by hand. Perhaps this question is like asking which is better, a Cadillac or a Lincoln Continental. Both trimmers are at the top of the list in my book. But the Wilson just happened to fit my pocketbook better.

 

[SWThomas]

I have the Wilson for low volume precision loads and the Dillon RT1200 for bulk. The Wilson is awesome! Very precise cut and supports the whole case. The Dillon is great since you're sizing and trimming in one step. I use an expander mandrel after trimming with the Dillon. The combination of the Dillons speed, the mandrel, and tumbling leaves the brass not needing chamfering or deburring.

 

[drn1234]

Thanks for the replies!

I kinda figured both were equal in quality but was unsure since the Giruard is powered that it may have some quirks or something.

Sounds like the Giruard is the one for me.

Thanks!

 

[Dos XX]

I have the Wilson with the micrometer. It is a nice piece of gear. However, when you set the micrometer, you can set it to where it quits trimming with light pressure, or you can set it where it quits trimming when you reach medium pressure, or you can set it where it quits trimming with heavy pressure. It seems to be a touch / feel thing. With that said, If I trim and measure and trim and measure, I can usually get within .001". Out of 50 cases I might have 5 that are outside the plus or minus .001", and those won't be outside .002". Maybe I don't have it figured out.

I have a Giraud on order. I am in the middle of processing 1000 rounds of brass. The Wilson trimmer is killing me on time. After I trim it I still have to inside / outside chamfer as well. I am counting on the Giraud to cut my brass prep time way down. I hope I'm correct.

 

[Steve Blair]

I am counting on the Giraud to cut my brass prep time way down. I hope I'm correct.

[br]
You are correct.

 

[brian427cobra]

I have both, truth is you need both, get the Wilson, I use it at the range and for low volume loading, the Giraud is simply the best reloading tool I own, and I have Prometheus's, I can trim and chamfer a case every 3 seconds when I'm in a hurry, add Forster or Hornady die lock rings for set n forget length adjustment and ease of caliber switching, I also have separate cutting blade assy for .223. 6.5mm, and .308, the WFT doesn't hold a candle to the Giraud.

 

[drn1234]

Yeah I am going to order my Giruard today.

I was however dissapointed that it was a 12 week lead-time to get the trimmer.

I was hoping they would be in stock. I hate waiting.

 

[brian427cobra]

It's always that way, but well worth the wait.

 

[DennisH]

I have both and they are both good tools. The Giraud will trim to about .001 every time, which is plenty good enough. I only use mine for the stuff that I load in volume.

+ 1

I love my Giraud

 

[Steve Blair]

It's always that way, but well worth the wait.

[br]
+1 Giraud trimmers are not only faster but chamfer more uniformly than hand work. If you turn necks and use your Giraud before turning, because it indexes on the case shoulder, shoulder cuts are perfectly uniform on every case. [br]
Another useful item is a set of die shims that will allow .001" trim adjustments without changing the lock ring setting. [br]
http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/reloading-dies/replacement-parts-amp-upgrades/skip-s-die-shim-kit-7-8-14--prod33197.aspx

 

[brian427cobra]

You could do the shims, but if you look at where the shell holders screw into you'll notice index marks, put a mark on your shell holder with a Sharpie, the distance between marks are about .010

 

[Steve Blair]

It is true that shims are not required, nor is the lock ring. Both make various tasks easier. When trimming brass with different shoulder positions than my match brass, like virgin cases prior to neck turning, shims allow setting trim length in .001" increments without changing my standard setting. Pretty straightforward and easy to use. To each his own.

 

[Dos XX]

Eric stated earlier in this thread that he trims every firing with his Giraud. Anyone else follow this practice? Also, do you trim to the same length every time, or do you let your brass grow in length?

Should I start a new thread for this?

 

[Steve Blair]

I trim every firing, after cleaning, annealing and sizing, to the same length. Often, only the chamfering edges will touch the case, but it ensures that all cases are very close to the same length and condition.

 

[Martin52]

... do you trim to the same length every time, or do you let your brass grow in length?

I let my 308 lapua brass grow to 2.010., this leaves me with a further 0.015 clearance to max case length of 2.025 for my chamber. Reducing the clearance (but still leaving enough of a safety margin, in my case 0.015) is supposed to assist reduce risk of a carbon ring, however, I am not in a position to verify this as I do not have ready access to a bore scope - i will be checking when I can.

My unfired new brass is generally trimmed to 2.005 as many cases when new are under 2.010 - hence I let them grow.

Martin

 

[Dos XX]

... do you trim to the same length every time, or do you let your brass grow in length?

I let my 308 lapua brass grow to 2.010., this leaves me with a further 0.015 clearance to max case length of 2.025 for my chamber. Reducing the clearance (but still leaving enough of a safety margin, in my case 0.015) is supposed to assist reduce risk of powder ring build up in the chamber, however, I am not in a position to verify this as I do not have ready access to a bore scope - i will be checking when I can.

My unfired new brass is generally trimmed to 2.005 as many cases when new are under 2.010 - hence I let them grow.

Martin

This is also what I am experiencing. I am using Lapua .308 Win. It seems to be either 2.006 plus or minus .002 or 2.010 plus or minus .002 out of the box. Some boxes have both lengths in them. I have trimmed everything to 2.006 for now. My chamber is 2.035 long, measured with the Sinclair chamber gage. I am wondering what optimal case length would be.

I wonder if letting the brass grow to 2.010 or 2.015 would let the neck seal any better than 2.006?