suggestions for power case trimmer?
- Thread starter bscriver
- Start date
There are a couple of issues with the Dillon:
1) You need to load on the dillon press for it to make sense.
I load on both of my 550s, a 650 and a rockchucker too. If I'm loading on the Rockchucker, I need to size and trim on the dillon first.
2) Vacuum running to collect the shavings while you are loading? - sounds like hours of joy at the loading bench.
3) Per the video, you'd be dropping powder, seating bullets and crimping with lube on the cases - This will make a mess of your other dies, and you may end up with ammo that has issues. Not a good idea in my opinion.
Giraud:
1) Stand alone unit. Yes you need to stage your brass prep ahead of actual loading, but loading on different presses does not present issues, and there is the ability to strip the lube from the cases prior to loading.
2) Build quality of the trimmer is second to none. Even the Dillon and Gracy trimmers take the back seat.
3) Trimming and chamfering that is accomplished with the Giraud produces a better result if quality ammunition is what you are after.
1) You need to load on the dillon press for it to make sense.
I load on both of my 550s, a 650 and a rockchucker too. If I'm loading on the Rockchucker, I need to size and trim on the dillon first.
2) Vacuum running to collect the shavings while you are loading? - sounds like hours of joy at the loading bench.
3) Per the video, you'd be dropping powder, seating bullets and crimping with lube on the cases - This will make a mess of your other dies, and you may end up with ammo that has issues. Not a good idea in my opinion.
Giraud:
1) Stand alone unit. Yes you need to stage your brass prep ahead of actual loading, but loading on different presses does not present issues, and there is the ability to strip the lube from the cases prior to loading.
2) Build quality of the trimmer is second to none. Even the Dillon and Gracy trimmers take the back seat.
3) Trimming and chamfering that is accomplished with the Giraud produces a better result if quality ammunition is what you are after.
Google Giraud, and order direct from Doug Giraud.
The trimmer heads are available in most popular calibers, and he will custom make them if you have an odd ball or running a wildcat.
You can do the 150 to 200 cases in about 15 minutes. In all honesty, that isn't a significant amount of brass. I try to do 1500 or more at a sitting.
The heads are easy enough to change, but there is some adjusting to do to set up the trim-to-length (it indexes on the shoulder of the case). I would say 3 minutes max. to change out and adjust from caliber to caliber.
The trimmer heads are available in most popular calibers, and he will custom make them if you have an odd ball or running a wildcat.
You can do the 150 to 200 cases in about 15 minutes. In all honesty, that isn't a significant amount of brass. I try to do 1500 or more at a sitting.
The heads are easy enough to change, but there is some adjusting to do to set up the trim-to-length (it indexes on the shoulder of the case). I would say 3 minutes max. to change out and adjust from caliber to caliber.
rnbra-shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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I have a Dillon RT1200, but it is such a PITA that I only use it rarely, when I can put up with all of its hassles:
- needs to have a vacuum running to pull away shavings (*noisy*, not at all restful to say the least - one of the few times I use earplugs while reloading!)
- leaves a very sharp case mouth, which absolutely must be chamfered and deburred for match ammo (and even for AR-15 ammo its a bit too crude for my tastes)
- it incorporates a full-length body sizing die, so lubed cases are required (have to fit this requirement into your process)
- needs to have a vacuum running to pull away shavings (*noisy*, not at all restful to say the least - one of the few times I use earplugs while reloading!)
- leaves a very sharp case mouth, which absolutely must be chamfered and deburred for match ammo (and even for AR-15 ammo its a bit too crude for my tastes)
- it incorporates a full-length body sizing die, so lubed cases are required (have to fit this requirement into your process)
I've done a bunch of reading about these trimmers and they look really good. My only issue was the difficulty in changing between calibers.
One one site I read that you had to sacrifice 2 or 3 pieces of brass each time you changed calibres. If that was true and it was only 30-06 brass it wouldnt be a big deal but if you have to sacrifice 257wby or 7mm RUM brass, it gets a bit pricey.
Maybe someone with real world experience in changing calibres on the Giruard can chime in.
If its only 3 min to setup, not a big deal.
If you buy the multiple cutting heads in addition to the one you buy the trimmer with, you can have the change out dont in like 3 mins.
You'll be setting is back to where you had it indexed before the change, so a quick trim and check with a caliper will let you know that you're on the money for trim length.
I've flipped between 223 and 308 with no headaches.
Cheers, Carl
x2 on the giraud, supper fast and easy step, trim to length, chamfer and debur in one step
I wouldn't be adding to this thread if I didn't have one
I, like tps50701 change between .223 and .308. The 3 min. is a guess at the absolute longest it should take.
I haven't lost any brass to setup, as I start a little long and adjust it in.
The reality of changing calibers should be something like a minute and a half.
