Gradey trimmer vs. Giraud trimmer

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hornadylnl

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I have already processed 1500 pieces of 223 brass and am starting my second 1500. Needless to say, my fingers get sore using the Lee case trimming set up on my drill. You'd think they would make a better collet system to hold the case. I've priced the Gracey and the Giraud. The Giraud is close to twice as much and the cost of heads to do different calibers are much higher for the Giraud. Is the Giraud worth the extra money? How difficult is the Gracey to set up from one caliber to the next?
 
If you're processing that much brass, and you have the money, it'll be worth it.

I bought a Giraud after messing with a Forster for a few years. I'm very glad I did. In fact, my friends and family all bring bags of brass when they visit...everyone hates trimming so why spend hours upon hours doing it?

Also, don't forget that the Giraud chamfers inside and outside at the same time!

So by purchasing one tool, you'll be significantly decreasing the time required along with completely removing the next step. If shooting/reloading is where you spend most of your free time, $400 is not that much to drastically simplify that process; especially over the lifetime of your hobby. So why are you looking at the Gracey again?

Change calibers? Between 2-15 min.

Option 1: Change case holder. Adjust cutter head blade. 10-15 min and a couple ruined cases setting it up.
Option 2: Change case holder. Change cutter head. 2 min

Case holders $30
Cutter head w/ blade $45

A complete setup per caliber runs $75. I only buy Giraud setups for the stuff that I load a lot of. The .45-70 and .405 Win and oddball stuff, I trim manually. But when I'm loading 2,000 rounds for a varmint hunt, or really trimming down some .260 Rem the Giraud is worth its weight in gold!

Ed
 
I have the Giraud setup for .308 and it simply works! I'm new to reloading and decided on the Giraud after researching the time and effort to do the trimming manually. So far no regrets.

Over the past few weekends I have been processing brand new brass. First I've had to run the brass through the press with the full size die to straighten necks. Then using my 1/2 drill to do the primer pocket and the flash hole. Then the Giraud to trim.... The Giraud is the easiest part.

Be safe, BSR
 
The Gracey does, according to the demo I just saw at the MWCA show at the fairgrounds. After seeing how fast and easy the Gracey is... I'm wondering the same thing. Is the Giraud that much better?

The only thing the Giraud would get me over the Gracey is the ability to do 50 BMG in addition to the .223 and .308 I'd normally do.
 
I have owned both a Gracey and Giraud. Both are good, fast trimmers. Both trim, chamfer and debur in one pass. Both use a similar method. In fact, the Giraud blade can (and should) be used in the Gracey.

IMHO, and based on my experience, the Giraud is faster and easier to use. It's hard to describe how or why the Giraud is so much better but after I tried a Giraud, I sold my Gracey and bought one.
 
Great post by milanuk !!

I agree, no regrets.

1) Run new brass through the FL die to correct dented necks
2) 500 rounds of .308 trimmed in less than an hour
3) Pull back the cover and Vacuum the Giraud when finished

Be safe, BSR

* as always, eye protection is a good idea
 
I finally got fed up with the Lee trimmer collet deal and chucked up the cutter into my cordless drill. I put the brass down on a steel surface and commenced to trimming. It's still a pain but it is a huge improvement over twisting the nut deal on the Lee set up. I then chucked up my chamfer/debur tool into my drill press and deburred the brass. Much quicker than the other way. I'd love to get a Giraud but every time I just about make up my mind on getting one, I start to think of all the componenets I could buy with that $400. Money is tight anyway. I just bought a new Harley and they just cut out all of my overtime at work. I've got a lot of money tied up into my LNL press, case feeder and other stuff, the only big expenditure I have left is a case trimmer. Oh well, one of these days. Until then, I'll just have to do it the way I'm doing it. I just was hoping that the Gracey would be a good alternative.
 
I just was hoping that the Gracey would be a good alternative.
Click to expand...
It probably is if you're only shooting one caliber in high volume. Even the rep at the show told me that several people complain that the change over is too complicated, say going to .308 from .223. I tend to shoot lots of both, so I may be willing to pay the extra for quick and easy change-over.

You're right though - it's a lot of $.
 
That guy at the MWCA shows does not know his stuff, and he did not know what a Giraud was till someone told him. Then he started to know!

There is simply no comparison! Giraud is the best and if Gracey was the best then why does Doug make upgrade blades for it?

The debate will rage on, but swapping from 223 to 308 takes just few quick minutes.

You never see a Giraud for sale do you? There is a reason!
 
hornadylnl,

Better ask if you can get a case trimmer in CHROME - you are done....

Be safe, BSR

ps: ex-gal had a Road King and loved bling, just sold my Big Dog Mastiff
 
BigSoundRacing

I just bought an Ultra Classic. I bought it bone stock. Black paint, mag wheels. The only thing I've put on it so far is shorter rear shocks. I plan on leaving it stock except for putting a shorter windshield on it and a luggage rack on the trunk. I figured I already dumped over $20k on the bike, I'm not going to go trading out parts that are brand new. It already has plenty of chrome for me. The only interest I have in more accessories are of the functional type.

My problem is that all of my hobbies are expensive. It's too darn cold to ride here now so I've been in the reloading room.
 
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