Trimmers advice

[Antoviola]

I have a giraud trimmer debating if I should sell and purchase Henderson?? Henderson seems east to setup for different calibers and dial in. Compared to giraud. Let me know what you guys think

 

[The boogalorian]

I purchased a Henderson. Made a stand for it out of aluminum. Has made the trimming and chamfering process incredibly easy. With my Wilson trimmer and rcbs station I could do maybe 200 in a little over an hour but my fingers were in pain and I would have to stop for the day. I did (1000) 308 cases the other week in about 2-1/2 hours. And could have kept going. Super easy to set up. Very consistent and easy to repeat.

 

[6BRA]

You should be able to control your trim length to .0005. I wouldn't bother with high dollar units...

 

[Bill K]

I get by with less cost for a trimmer, with the Hornady trimmer with the attachment for a small electric screwdriver/drill. Does a fine job of trimming.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

I have both. If you don't have either, go Henderson. Girauds get expensive the more calibers you shoot, and honestly to get a good cut you need to have case holders cut with a reamer. The stock spring loaded ones are no bueno.

 

[Oso]

I have used Giraud Trimmers for years with no complaints. Recently, I decided to buy a dedicated trimmer. Henderson was the winner for a couple of reasons.

1) I do some "wildcat" cartridges that may require 2x-3x firings before the cartridge is fully fire-formed. The Henderson unit sets the trim length from base of case to case mouth (OAL). The Giraud unit indexes off the shoulder. Henderson unit will consistently trim to target OAL without being impacted by any change to the shoulder location (variations in bumping or forming). Giraud will always give a consistent trim length from shoulder to case mouth, which may lead to different OAL based on variances in shoulder location. For me, Henderson is more flexible.

2) I load for a dozen different cartridges. The cost was significantly less to cover all of these cartridges using the Henderson unit.

3) Potential Upside - At the time I bought my unit, Henderson was planning on developing their trimming unit to also serve as a neck turning lathe. Not sure if there has been any advancement in the upgrade. IF they are successful in designing/implementing then it is a game changer...

As Bill K indicated... a dedicated high-end trimmer is not necessary. By all means It is a luxury item... that admittedly makes me smile whenever I use it. I don't miss hand cramps from holding cases during case prep..

 

[michaeljp65]

You need different cutter heads for the Henderson as well. One inprovement id like to see on it is to use the bolts as coarse adjustment and have an aditional micro adjuster poking out from the existing stopper.

 

[Oso]

You are correct in that the Henderson unit requires a caliber specific cutter (pilot diameter). However, the Giraud unit requires a caliber specific/shoulder angle specific cutter for each designated cartridge.

Henderson - buy one (1) cutter to cover all cartridges of same caliber, For me this meant 4 cutter heads to handle all the cartridges that I reload (.22, 6mm. 6.5mm, .30). When I did the math for Giraud it was like +9 cutters, because I had cartridges of same caliber but that had different shoulder angles (Example: 223 Rem, 224 Valkyrie, 223 AI). It got pricey.

At the time that I bought mine, the Henderson unit's base price was higher than the Giraud. However, based on my reloading needs the Henderson unit was less expensive after factoring in the cutter head(s) cost.

 

[Hoser]

I have owned both.

I still own the Henderson.

Better by a mile.

 

[RustyInBend]

I've owned several ... but my Henderson is for life. You'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands.

 

[stavey]

I’ve owned both. My only regret is not buying the Henderson sooner. Giraud is long gone.

 

[Hunting 2019]

I have the Henderson ,sort of enjoy trimming now after coming from the Wilson! Just wish Henderson had a 17 and 20 cal.pilot. No experience with Giraud though.

 

[Timon]

You guys just did it to me. I’ve been using a Wilson and been very happy with it. Had heard of the Henderson, but did not really look at it. Read this string, Googled the Henderson, watched the Ultimate Reloader videos on it, now it looks like I’m spending some money again. Nothing that I really NEED, but I just love precision tools. Will likely place the order tomorrow. I really need to stay off this forum.

 

[Lucky6547]

I only shoot about 30 rounds a week, so not huge volumes, but it legitimately saves me about an hour a week from doing the trim, inside and outside chamfer. It now takes me about two minutes to get every piece to within 0.001” of each other. Saving me 52hrs each year is worth what he charges. If you shoot more, it’s worth it even more.

 

[Ray123]

I looked at the videos and was not impressed ...$750 Entry fee!.. No thanks! Kind of flimsy too, the guy taking off just .003" in video. I do 600 hr with drill powered Wilson in a bench vise. Tap on tap off, fast accurate simple and not flimsy...I make all the bushings in the lathe. But if I really have to take off say .814" from 30-06 to 8.6 blackout I use the Bridgeport mill & collet lever closing fixture and a dead lenght collet..it mills off .814" of hollow case brass in one second to the correct length beautiful smooth finish ...just actuate the lever up& down to open and close...no twisting the wrist to close and open. How long would it take to trim off .200 or .300 of brass... 300 blk from 5.56 is common... let alone .800 inch for some wildcats. I do all those in the mill by the thousands.
Also do all 50BMG cases in the mill with home built combo tool case length, inside, & outside at the same time.
For me It's an unnecessary expensive tool I don't need, and will save my money for brass and bullets...But you may love it and believe it to be worth every dollar, and need all the accessories it has to offer. ..go ahead your dollar...and just my opinion of the watched video...and for you, it's your opinion that matters. An old machinist looks at these tools differently, and scoffed at wearing gloves, worrying about your chip mess...delicate flowers, in sterile environments. I always buy the stuff that causes cancer in Kalifornia, because it works better, like real brake cleaner, lead, & real beef. ..and I don’t live in Kalifornia...so I'm good.
So a no vote that don't count..."you like it, you buy it."

 

[otnot]

I use Little Crow in a cordless drill. Fast, easy and accurate.

 

[mongo chicago]

This question would be more relevant if you didn't have a trimmer and were looking to purchase your first one. If you all ready have the Giraud there is no need to get the Henderson, and visa versa.

 

[600-60x]

I have used Giraud Trimmers for years with no complaints. Recently, I decided to buy a dedicated trimmer. Henderson was the winner for a couple of reasons.

1) I do some "wildcat" cartridges that may require 2x-3x firings before the cartridge is fully fire-formed. The Henderson unit sets the trim length from base of case to case mouth (OAL). The Giraud unit indexes off the shoulder. Henderson unit will consistently trim to target OAL without being impacted by any change to the shoulder location (variations in bumping or forming). Giraud will always give a consistent trim length from shoulder to case mouth, which may lead to different OAL based on variances in shoulder location. For me, Henderson is more flexible.

2) I load for a dozen different cartridges. The cost was significantly less to cover all of these cartridges using the Henderson unit.

3) Potential Upside - At the time I bought my unit, Henderson was planning on developing their trimming unit to also serve as a neck turning lathe. Not sure if there has been any advancement in the upgrade. IF they are successful in designing/implementing then it is a game changer...

As Bill K indicated... a dedicated high-end trimmer is not necessary. By all means It is a luxury item... that admittedly makes me smile whenever I use it. I don't miss hand cramps from holding cases during case prep..

Is it possible to measure just neck length from neck shoulder junction?

 

[Oso]

The Henderson Trimmer calibrates off the entire case length. You set the cutting depth based on the OAL of the case that you desire.

The Giraud Trimmer is calibrated off of the location of the shoulder. This is completely independent of the placement of the shoulder or OAL.

If you consistently resize your brass (i.e. the shoulder is in proper location) then both machines get you to the same place with the neck length and OAL being the same... But this is a big "If". People have different opinions as you can see throughout this thread.

 

[6BRA]

The Henderson Trimmer calibrates off the entire case length. You set the cutting depth based on the OAL of the case that you desire.

The Giraud Trimmer is calibrated off of the location of the shoulder. This is completely independent of the placement of the shoulder or OAL.

If you consistently resize your brass (i.e. the shoulder is in proper location) then both machines get you to the same place with the neck length and OAL being the same... But this is a big "If". People have different opinions as you can see throughout this thread.

Both have their own set of problems.
Giraurd needs custom case holders, your reamer. Henderson needs pilots that fit properly if you apply different neck tensions. On the other hand the wilson micrometer will trim from spot on to within .0005 all day long. Most of the time spot on. Just a little slower.