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What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

MrOneEyedBoh

MrOneEyedBoh

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Nov 23, 2011
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I posted a thread about the forster lathe style cutters, and I thought they were more popular. So with that being said, what do you use to trim your brass, chamfer and deburr?

I forgot to add this is for precision 308 loads.
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

My Giraud =)
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

I'll fire up the Gracey for big batches. If it's only 50 or so, I use an RCBS TrimPro unless the correct die is already in the Gracey.
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

What about the Gracey with the Giraud motor and cutter upgrade> I dont think there is a wait and it would run a little cheaper

I forgot to add this is for precision 308 loads. Does the automated Giraud/Graceys provide accuracy like a handlathe style would?
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

The giraud trimmer is out of my price point. I use a possum hollow trimmer, and deburr with a Wilson outside, and a vld inside. All units chuck up to my power drill that is clamped in a bench vice. Two more steps than a giraud, but the tools total about $50-75 for all of them.
1. Possum hollow trimmer
2. Possum hollow power adapter
3. Vld deburring unit
4. Wilson deburring tool (fits inside the possum hollow power adapter)
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

I did hear about the possum hollow tool and Ive seen more bad then good. Now I dont know anything as of yet, its just what Ive read online. And we all should take that with a grain of salt and comprise our own opinion in the end. Which VLD do you use?
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

I use the RCBS TrimPro with the three way cutter. Don't have Giraud's trimmer, but I do have his annealer.
smile.gif
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

If I could do it over, I'd buy the Giraurd, wasn't made when I bought.
I use the electric RCBS with 3 ways, slow but gets the job done.
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

possum hollow trimmer in their power adapter
inside champher tool in a possum hollow power adapter
outside champher tool in a possum hollow power adapter
I use all of these in a drill press
very quick -efficent
inexspensive
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

All I use is my Gracey trimmer on all my match loads. Works great. If you have a lot of brass the Gracey or Giraud would be the way to go.
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

Another vote for the Giraud.
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

I would only load around 100 RDS max and its one caliber.

I'm debating if the electric option is worth it for one caliber and such low reload count.
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

Possum Hollow trimmer w/ power adapter in power drill, and a RCBS handheld chamfer tool. Would love to have a gracey or giraud but can't justify the cost for the low volume of reloading that I do.
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

Yup for only 100 a Possum Hollow on a drill and a chamfer tool will do the trick for cheap. I actually used to use that set up for all my brass prep before getting my Gracey.
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

I've read that they don't give great accuracy. I know trimming is for safety not accuracy. But I've seen people gripe about the possum trimmer.

I'm starting to think hard about the Wilson lathe style. I could buy a Gracey but I'm weary about its accuracy. Or is it pretty accurate?
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

Gracey's unit is as precise as the Giraud. They both index off of the shoulder so it will be as consistent as your sizing. The stock Giraud is better then Doyle's unit by virtue of a beefier and cleaner construction design enabling use either horizontal or vertical, a faster turning motor with better bearings, better drive mechanism, and a better cutter blade. So long as you don't test drive a Giraud, you'll likely be happy with the Gracey and its upgrades especially if cost is of consequence. The Gracey does have the advanages of motorless versions of other products such as outside neck shaver, primer pocker cleaner, uniformer, etc. that are relatively low cost purchases if you share the motor,
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

Yeah I would upgrade the motor for 106 locally plus the cutter and I'll add a switch. I guess just cut into the positive side of the power cord and run IG through a switch?
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

Yes, just run the phase (line) side throught a switch or run through a power strip. Just ensure there are no exposed wires or contacts. You may have some success locating a used one; much easier to find than a used Giraud.
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

Stop worrying about them giving great accuracy. Everyone here wants accuracy and if we are using them then they will work. If you want a lath type then get one but don't worry about the Possom Hollow or Gracey giving accuracy as they work just fine. I could throw up a bunch of group pictures of ammo trimmed with them but it would just take up space.
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

I know I know, but all you read about is accuracy on this and that. I know trimming isnt for that but for safety. Reason Im debating it soo much is now I have some money to spend and since Im just getting into reloading I want to do it right the first time. I cant see getting a Giraud when you can get a Gracey with the mods for less. None the less thank you guys.
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

If I had to do it again I would get the Giraud over the Gracey mostly due to the motor and the positioning of case when you trim it. The Giraud allows brass chips to fall down and not back into the insert and cause jamming.
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

Wow I really like my RCBS three way cutters. I better not look at anything else. Is the Giraud really that good??
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

I like the Gracey trimmers. They work fine, but the cutters are a pain to set-up correctly. So I bought two of them. I also like the Gracey shellholders better because they hold the case firmly.
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

Yeah the gracey cutters suck but I put in a Giraud cutter years ago and it works fine and is much easier to set.
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrOneEyedBoh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I did hear about the possum hollow tool and Ive seen more bad then good. Now I dont know anything as of yet, its just what Ive read online. And we all should take that with a grain of salt and comprise our own opinion in the end. Which VLD do you use? </div></div>

It has been so long ago that I bought the VLD reamer that I don't know which brand it is. My guess is that it is either a Redding, or Forster as those are the primary brands carried at the store where I bought it.

The possum hollow trimmers take a while to get the technique down. If the case is pushed straight into the trimmer, you get one length. If you wiggle the case around, you get another length. I get a much more consistent length by putting the case straight in. It takes a while to adjust the tool, but once adjusted, they work great.

The power adapter is what makes the trimmer work so well. If/when I can get one of the case working tools that accommodates 4-5 tools at once, I could do everything while only handling the case once. As it is now, I have to change tools in the drill I put into my vice.

But, like lots of fellows, I have more time than money, so I go with what I already own, and spend what I save on bullets, powder, and primers.
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

I've got a giraud as well... It is great, however I am surprised that noone has ever had any complaints about it. You guys must have fingertips of steel, because after 100+ cases my thumbs start hurting from putting pressure while turning the brass.

Obviously still better than doing it by hand though...
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

To trim i just use a standard RCBS trimmer with a drill attached and the pilots modified to not spin and tear up the case neck.
20121031_223735.jpg


Then i debur/chamfer with these simple homemade power devices.
DSCF4091.jpg
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: korykhunter</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Is the Giraud really that good?? </div></div>

Yes.
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

How much is the Giraud? I have at least $700 tied up in my RCBS.
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

Another option that I don't think anyone has mentioned is the Little Crow Worlds Finest Trimmer. Works a bit like the Giraud trimmer, but without the built-in chamfering and deburring. It chucks into a drill for handheld use. Definilty not as fast as a Giraud, but each caliber specific cutter is only $70.
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: timelinex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've got a giraud as well... It is great, however I am surprised that noone has ever had any complaints about it. You guys must have fingertips of steel, because after 100+ cases my thumbs start hurting from putting pressure while turning the brass.

Obviously still better than doing it by hand though... </div></div>

I don't notice the issue while processing but I'll do 500-1000 cases and will have two numb spots for a day. I've heard from a couple of people that a plastic/poly glove lets you use much less pressure and no pain as it adds just the right amount of friction.
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

Yeah when I was doing large amounts of brass I would get a blister where I held the case. I started using band aids in those spots. Then got some poly gloves from walmart for like $5 and they work great for grip and taking away some hand pain.
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

I use a RCBS trim pro with my electric drill and an adapter (RCBS sells this adapter as a "kit" too for a few bucks). I can trim a case in about 6-7 seconds even removing 0.015" of material). I think I could add the three way cutting head to this method as well. Then I have a lyman case prep xpress station with 5 heads so I can run a flash hole deburr tool, inside/outside trim tools, primer pocket uniformer and the RCBS primer pocket cleaner at the same time. I can switch out one station for the RCBS military crimp remover tool if I am running LC brass. (This is a PITA so I have been wanting to try my brother in-laws Dillon crimp removal tool/press). The Lyman set up is nice as it catches all the shavings and has a cup to brush them into.

So the Giraud trims to length and does the inside/outside chamfer in one step?
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Luky</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So the Giraud trims to length and does the inside/outside chamfer in one step? </div></div>

Correct. To the tune of ~15/minute.
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

I've been trimming .223 on my Giraud for several years and can easily justify the cost in ease, precision and reliability.

By the way, just setting up to start trimming .308 in my Giraud -- what trim-to-length are y'all setting up the Giraud to cut?
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GentleBen</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been trimming .223 on my Giraud for several years and can easily justify the cost in ease, precision and reliability.

By the way, just setting up to start trimming .308 in my Giraud -- what trim-to-length are y'all setting up the Giraud to cut?



</div></div>

2.017" gauges fine for me in my AIAW
 
Re: What do you use when trimming/chamfering brass?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GentleBen</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
By the way, just setting up to start trimming .308 in my Giraud -- what trim-to-length are y'all setting up the Giraud to cut?


</div></div>

2.005" is the trim to length for .308 with 2.015" as listed max. That said some chambers can be different and allow for longer and you can find that with gauges or a chamber casting. 2.005" is the safe trim length though.
 
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