Precision reloading tools #3: Giraud powered brass trimmer

[@joeregina3627]

Erik, this video on the Giraud trimmer is awesome. I've been using the trimmer for about a year and never thought of making the mods that you did. Bud, you are one sharp cookie. Keep up the good work.

[@sweetheartd7538]

I can not get consistent Coal or distance from case base to datum to be consistent with new brass or once fired brass. Seems the body length must start out perfect to get a consistent COAL measurement and once they are fired it gets even more inconsistent. Any help would be great from you guys that love this device. Thanks

[@shadowironbank5469]

Goau sheef, man you get all the mercedes of the brass prep stuff.. geesuz!!

[@GOETHE1963]

Watched a couple of your videos now - this one, & the one on Co-Ax presses. Just wanted to say you do an awesome job of explaining how things work.

[@mikeq7096]

Mr Cortina, You and f class John make my wallet hurt with such good vids.. One of these trimmers is headed my way soon.. Like the custom shell holder idea and now wish I had one when I had my 308 rebarreled so I could make one for it with the 5 inch piece of barrel that I still have laying around.

[@mikeq7096]

just got my trimmer today.

[@mikeq7096]

Because of your vid and fclassjohn's I have my trimmer on order and on the way.. I like to shell holder idea..

[@ErikCortina]

Ben, I don't know if Doug makes them or not. As you saw on the video, the one I made worked better for me anyway. I can make you some no problem. Let me know and I'll help you out.

[@blueridgeboy6791]

For a cheaper version of this setup, look up the little crow gun works brass trimmer. Does the same thing, maybe not quite as accurate or fast, but alot cheaper. If your just doing common reloads it's a life/time saver, and so far it's very accurate. You just need a drill or mini kathe. Love mine. Thanks again Erik awesome content, even if this video is 8 years old.

[@loyal2no146]

Question - is there a setting for the cutter that you push down and it will trim/chamfer the same length every time, or are you going by feel to get the correct length? Cheers

[@tubamyxuan9126]

I love it , I try to buy one and I couldn’t find one now.

[@edstettin6799]

Great video Eric. So if I’m reloading 6.5 PRC, 7 PRC, and 300 PRC and they are all based off the 375 Ruger case, all I would need is one cutter and just to adjust it accordingly for whatever I am trimming?

[@CHIBA280CRV]

Very informative thank you 👍👍👍

[@anthonyhall5053]

Can you post a video of how to make the mods you made or directions, including where you got parts, sizes, etc.?

[@jerryhankshanks7451]

Excellent video

[@DimaProk]

I bought their hand drill version, it uses the same triangle v shaped blade and let me tell you, it's very inconsistent trim as far as chamfering goes. You get one side of case mouth that has a pronounced outside cut and other side gets pronounced inside cut. It might be ok for volume shooting but I wasn't satisfied. I took a close look as why it happens and it came down to the bushing having too much space, now if the bushing was cut smaller, it would be tighter fit work much better. P.S. The setup is major PITA! You have to rotate such tiny amount to get 1/1000" of inch.

[@matthewl67]

Dima Prok - it is designed that way. Per their website: The Giraud Carbide blade is standard with the trimmer. It allows a 15 degree inside case mouth chamfer and 45 degree outside chamfer for smooth burr free seating of VLD style bullets.

[@sweetheartd7538]

I purchased one of these based on your video. I can not get a consistent COAL or CBTS length with either new Lapua brass or fired brass once trimmed. Question: did you hand pick those cases with perfect length from base to datum line? In a new box of Lapua brass the measurements will very at least 2 thousands or more. I hope I am wrong and don’t understand, but seem that length must be perfect to start with and there can be no slop in the case holder. Help me please. Feel like I may have wasted 1000 plus on this trimmer

[@briansellars9565]

If you dont like the trimmer check out Henderson precision they have a trimmer that works very well.... and easily adjusted that's my two cents

[@DimaProk]

Yeah, I was wondering how the heck did you get such perfect trim, this is same idea I had before I saw your video that I need a custom "shell holder" I just didn't know how to make one and you came up with the answer to use chamber reamer.

[@williebulletman5217]

Great item and really like your videos

[@wxfield]

*Whoa!* Is the Giraud leaving those tooling marks on the shoulders of the brass @ 8:51 too ???

[@hamedizzy5137]

How much would you charge to make those collets?

[@ashforkdan]

You only hand tightened the bullet trimmer. Did you forget to tighten it?

[@Thoseaboutto911]

Could you make a case holder by using that unused neck sizing die by cutting the top and most of the body part off the die?

[@greggarmin9426]

The price isn’t bad at all. I was expecting $1K+. $495 Wow!

[@avinanrey]

Does this case length consistency matter for precision? If we put aside the speed of this machine, Frankford Arsenal case prep and trim center; trim cases within a range of 4-5 thou and the cost is 1/3 of this product. Should I save my money on it or no?

[@kjmdrumz3]

Consistency is EVERYTHING in precision rifle shooting, brother.

[@5RWill]

Does the spring loaded insert that comes with the specific calibers cause uneven chamfer? My chamfers are almost uniform except one little spot.

[@ramsaycountry1177]

I think this is my next purchase. I'm thinking about pointing some of my 6x47 bullets to see how much of a difference it makes in my groups at 1000y. What's your opinion Erik?

[@robertoaragon1506]

The main question is. Where do I order the Cortinas custom shel holders😂

[@bensteinsholt6899]

A Couple of questions Erik: 1.) I have mostly "non-SAAMI spec cartridges. Do they make shellholders for 1.) Dashers; 2.) "Ackleyized" cases and 3.) The Shehane? If not, would you consider making those like you did for yourself? Excellent video! Very thought provoking>> read that "prompted to spend yet MORE money"! LOL!!

[@dankerr6914]

How did you make your custom shell holder? What is an estimated cost for the steel and machining if you had to pay to have it made? Thank you.

[@ErikCortina]

Dan Kerr I will make a video at some point showing how I made it. I don't know what anyone would charge for something like that.

[@85ZERO17]

WHY TRIM THE BULLETS?

[@ErikCortina]

To make BC consistent. They need to be pointed afterwards.

[@85ZERO17]

Erik Cortina CAN YOU ELABORATE A BIT

[@ErikCortina]

85ZERO17 I have video on bullet pointing. Check it out.

[@johnstuhlmiller6317]

brilliant

[@johnnyi2121]

How accurate is the trimmer with the spring loaded supplied option vs your custom created with your chamber reamer? Great Videos... Keep 'em coming! :) by the way... I see a custom doo dad back on your chargemaster...

[@ErikCortina]

It's pretty accurate, but technique becomes more of a factor.

[@ericbc7]

Is the inside part of the trimmer set for VLDs?

[@ErikCortina]

ericbc7 The ogive profile does not matter when seating on the case since none of the ogive ever makes contact with the brass. Most LR bullets have a boat tail, which makes bullet seating easier. I simply make sure I have an even chamfer inside and outside the neck.

[@YuanMizzle]

Before this video.... I had zero interest in reloading. Seeing how much precision goes into reloading has me super interested now! What would your ideal setup be for someone reloading 6.5Creedmoor and 338 Lapua? No budget! Ok... a huge budget lol.

[@ErikCortina]

It depends on how much shooting you plan to do and how far you plan to shoot. But as far as set up: Giraud trimmer. Forster Co-Ax press Bench Source or Giraud annealer Wilson seater dies Whidden F/L bushing dies Stainless media tumbler 21st Century hydro press 21st Century concentricity gauge Hand priming tool RCBS Chargemaster (optional) Sartorious scale with Omega trickler Prometheus Gen II powder thrower

[@YuanMizzle]

+Erik Cortina thanks for the detailed list! Might be a stupid question but why a Prometheus and a omega trickler/scale? I just called and found out I live in the same state as the Prometheus designer so he is offering to show me the ropes!

[@ErikCortina]

+YuanMizzle I use the Omega and GD503 to develop loads. Once I have a load developed, I use the GD503 to weigh charges from Prometheus II to make sure I get it set up properly. After it's set, I use the Prometheus only.

[@rjjr2814]

@@ErikCortina I'm new to reloading, why would you get the RCBS in addition to the trickler and thrower? Also, since you made the list 5 years ago, would you change anything now? I've really appreciated your videos!

[@gsxrdrama9025]

Maybe a dumb question. Is pointing and trimming bullets the same? Oh great eric learn me please lol. But for real??????

[@daltonwinchenbach7982]

I bet that half thousandth is due to heat expansion of the blade.

[@farmerjoe338]

Well I own the Hornady Case prep Station it was not cheap but I can clearly see this machine is more trouble than its worth ..

[@ErikCortina]

You did not see the video did you?

[@willspathtoprecision2924]

🤣🤣 clearly didn't see it!!

[@MrCowboy0323]

do you have an email! I would like a 6x47 lapua and a 6.5 creedmoor made for me! let me know if that's possible?

[@hamedizzy5137]

I would like a 6.5 Creedmoor and a 6gt

[@ajgraf122]

I have both the Giraud and the Henderson Gen 2 case trimmer. In my opinion the Henderson is quicker and does a better job

[@GroovesAndLands]

I disagree with your explanation of how to adjust the cutter position. In my experience, proper setup of the cutting insert is NOT as simple as just dropping a case down into the V-notch of a loose insert and tightening it up. The position of the insert is very critical to achieve precise inside/outside chamfering, and your suggestion is really only a starting point that will usually require quite a lot of finagling to get it dialed in just right.

[@ErikCortina]

That's because you are using the spring loaded shell holder that has play in it. I too am familiar with what you are saying, and I should have been more clear about that. With the spring loaded shell holder, it is a trial and error process since a small movement in the cutting blade is critical.