Picked up Giraud Case Trimmer

[PhilMc]

Living in Cleveland I am able to drive over to Camp Perry and do a little shopping during the summer. Went there to primarily pick up a Geissele trigger for my AR when I noticed that Doug Giraud setup shop in one of the commercial row buildings.

First time I got to play with one and check it out. Up untill now have only seen them on youtube video's on the internet. Have been trimming my brass with a hand crank RCBS trimmer and also a Lee trimmer chucked in my drill press. First piece of brass he put into it sold me right there. Hadn't planned on spending that kind of money, but after seeing it in person I had to have it.

I asked him how long I would have to wait to recieve it and he told me I could take it with me right now. He had 223's and 308's in stock at Camp Perry. Had a nice chat about our day jobs since we are in similar lines of work.

Got the thing home and couldn't believe how fast one can process brass in the trimmer. Comes out ready to recieve the bullet, chamfers inside and out. Was able to do 50 case's in under ten minutes while taking my time. Best of all it's a very high quality tool, should last for a lot of years.

 

[Poper]

What? No photos?

 

[iShoot17]

I absolutely love my Giraud trimmer. I am hoping to eventually switch all my calibers over to using it, but that is a slow expensive process. I had to order and wait for mine... But I would do it again in a heart beat.

If you are consistent with your sizing procedures, the Giraud will be as accurate as they describe. I trimmed 100 .223 brass on my Giraud in right around 10 minutes after first getting it out of the box and plugged in (notice: there was NO set up as Mr. Giraud set it up before sending). The lengths of the cases (as I measured all 100 just to see for myself) varied by +/- .001. This means that I had brass from 1.749 and 1.751. Of the 100 pieces, 94 of them measured 1.750...which is where Mr. Giraud set it before he sent it to me.

Great machine and very quick. The time and ease of trimming, deburring, and chamfering all in one quick step makes it my go to over my Sinclair Ultimate Trimmer. The time I save, is well worth it for the slight extra cost of the case holders and initial cost.

 

[PhilMc]

Here's a pic of the trimmer.

 

[Havok7416]

They are really fun, aren't they? I wouldn't give mine up for all the tea in China.

How many calibers did you get it set up for?

 

[PhilMc]

Right now it's just for 223 later I'll get it set up 308

 

[FLIGHT762]

I have one that is set up to trim 223 Rem., 260 Rem., 270 Win., 308 Win. and 30/06.

Easiest trimmer to use. I've used the Dillon 1200 RT and Gracey. I sold them both after buying the Giraud. Best machine for my purposes.

The Dillon is great if you use it on a progressive press as it was designed for, single stage, not so much.

 

[Fatelvis]

I bought some Hornady lock rings and they work well to save the setting on the shellholder, when you switch between calibers. Also having cutter heads set up for common calibers (30, 224, etc.) helps speed caliber changes.

 

[NuJudge]

Fast trimming, and caliber changes are quick too

You will find you can trim a lot faster than that, with precision. It gets a bit hard on the finger tips, so you are going to need to experiment with gloves. Ansell Hyflex Lite gloves work for me.

Caliber changes are quick also. Anything close to caliber .223 uses the same cutter. For changes from, say .223 to .308, I would suggest you get another cutter preset for caliber .30, and it will do anything close to caliber .30, such as .303.

 

[straightShot]

Fatelvis:
I hadn't thought about using the lock rings. Sounds like a good idea. It will save me time when switching between calibers. Thanks.

 

[Havok7416]

So you put the lock ring behind the one that's already installed? I guess I don't follow.

 

[griff383]

You replace the one on it with a Hornady lock ring, I have all mine set up that way and it makes changing calibers a breeze

 

[straightShot]

I have extra Hornady and Forster lock rings. I'll be setting up four different calipers. This will make switching so much faster!

 

[codefour]

After going through both a Lyman hand crank trimmer, a Forster Trimmer with three way cutting head, I bought the Giraud trimmer. I wish I could go back in time and talk myself into buying a Giraud from the get go. Man, what a great tool. I have shell holders for .223, .308, .30-06, and .300 Win Mag.

I wish Giraud could some how design a similar trimmer for straight walled cartridges. I know they reference off the case shoulder, but a straight wall trimmer that was as slick as the Giuraud would be awesome..!