Gracey vs Wilson trimmer help

[DngBat7]

I know I have asked this in the past, But now that I have a better knowledge of reloading I understand what people were talking about last time I asked. Whether trimming from the base of the cartridge (Wilson) or the shoulder (gracey). Tho i bought the Wilson a while back, to trim and measure off the overall length of the cartridge does not seem like the best way for accuracy? but am I wrong to wonder if the other method is actually the more accurate. But I do not have enough experience to know.

Also I find a variance in measurements when I trim with my Wilson. It’s minor between cartridges, does that matter?

 

[JFrank]

I know I have asked this in the past, But now that I have a better knowledge of reloading I understand what people were talking about last time I asked. Whether trimming from the base of the cartridge (Wilson) or the shoulder (gracey). Tho i bought the Wilson a while back, to trim and measure off the overall length of the cartridge does not seem like the best way for accuracy? but am I wrong to wonder if the other method is actually the more accurate? The voices in my head tell me yes , But I do not have enough experience to know.

Also I find a variance in measurements when I trim with my Wilson. It’s minor between cartridges, does that matter?

Sir I speak only for myself '
However for my 6 br LE Wilson will be my choice.
I look forward to other comments
Jim

 

[JimSC]

I like the Wilson. I have one set up for .260 and one for .223 and a third if I decide to add another cartridge/caliber. I buy mine used off Ebay for $30 - $50 then adjust it for a particular cartridge and lock the set screw. Combined with a power screwdriver and the power adapter it makes for quick work when trimming.

 

[geraldgee]

I have both a Wilson and a number of WFT trimmers that index off the shoulder. My experience is that the Wilson is more consistent than the WFT's. I rarely see much variance in length with the Wilson. Having said that, there is some merit in the ability to trim hundreds of pieces of brass in very short order. What caliber(s) are you trimming? Are you trimming before or after sizing? With a little research, you should be able to discover ways to increase your consistency and reduce the variances.

Good luck.

Gerald

 

[ireload2]

You have no idea what the real case length is with the gracey.
If your sizing varies (and most do) then you will never have the same length twice.

If you are getting length variations with the Wilson you are not holding the cases in a fixed location.

 

[kneedtospeed]

Dan,
Brass oal will change from firing/sizing.
You should be Trimming After you FL Size, so if you're careful in getting That Part right, the Wilson will be very consistent.

 

[danny]

I know I have asked this in the past, But now that I have a better knowledge of reloading I understand what people were talking about last time I asked. Whether trimming from the base of the cartridge (Wilson) or the shoulder (gracey). Tho i bought the Wilson a while back, to trim and measure off the overall length of the cartridge does not seem like the best way for accuracy? but am I wrong to wonder if the other method is actually the more accurate? The voices in my head tell me yes , But I do not have enough experience to know.

Also I find a variance in measurements when I trim with my Wilson. It’s minor between cartridges, does that matter?

You are correct in your assumptions about "accuracy", if you mean accuracy concerning trim length, however, something like a Gracey or Giraud (what I have) can be darned accurate and close to what you get from a Wilson, IF you get your sizing and lubing dialed in really tight. I also have a Wilson, as well. In my opinion, though, you are probably comparing Apples to Oranges in your selection of tools. The Giraud or Gracey is aimed at the high volume shooter and the Wilson is aimed at the low volume, pure accuracy group. Can you use each for its non intended use? Sure. With the Wilson, you will spend nearly forever and might get sore arms. Chamfering is yet another operation. When you use a Giraud/Gracey, you had better have your components set and ready to swap in for each cartridge, or you will spend more on setup than on setup and trimming with a Wilson. With a Giraud, that means individual, and setup cutter heads for each caliber, as well as pre-setup and locked (with a locking die ring) case holders so you can swap and run. I do not know how much of that you can do with a Gracey, as I have no experience with one.

Danny

PS: I am not qualified to comment on your accuracy questions between the two if you mean "accuracy on target", as I do not have the kind of rigs or the experience using those kinds of rigs that might detect any such minute differences.

 

[hpshooter]

I own a Gracey and have trimmed 1,000's of .308 cases for my M1-A rifle when I was actively shooting service rifle in NRA high-power. My Gracey has a Giraud carbide cutter in it to trim and chamfer the case neck simultaneously.

IMO,the Gracey is best used as a high production tool. The cutter adjustment can be vexing and must be made whenever you change caliber. Once set up, with the cutter and caliber specific bushing locked in place, it is good to go for many rounds.

My Gracey was purchased over 30 years ago and for many years it did 500 to 1,000 rounds a month for myself and two shooting buddies. I bought bushings for .222 Remington, .223 Remington, .308 Winchester and 30-06 Springfield. It is still on its original .308 set up. It was far easier to trim the other calibers in lots of 100 or so on the Wilson as opposed to tearing down the Gracey and readjusting it. I am not shooting HP much these days but I do use the Gracey whenever I load up some "fun rounds" for the M1-A's.

We did make small adjustments to the bushing for each of the M1-A's we loaded for. A depth mike measuring from the outside face of the bushing to a designated spot on the body of the trimmer was used to do this.

Have never used a Giraud so can't speak regarding them.

 

[Baer45]

I have the Wilson, Gracey and Giraud. Wilson is for small round count and very accurate but time consuming. Gracey and Giraud are way to go for me. After setting the blades a few dozen times, I can now do a caliber change in 4 minutes adjusting the blades and hold under.005 to .002. The Wilson is .001. If I had to choose just one it would be the Giraud but Gracey just came out with a new model at $339.00 that looks like a step up. If you go with a Gracey, Jones sells carbide blades for it that last a long, long time...good luck..