Trimmer

I need one. Hunting and targets, no competition. Low volume. 223 Rem, 308 Win, 300 Win Mag, and 45-70 Gov. I've read others' opinions, understand the pros and cons of both, and recognize the price difference. I'm almost certain my decision is made just wanted to toss up this survey as an additional input. Listed alphabetically.

This is one category of handloading equipment that I never jumped down the rabbit hole for. I'm still using a cheap Lyman Trim Xpress (never had any issues with it). I have enough rabbit holes that I play in... delete your post immediately so that I am not reminded there is another unexplored rabbit hole waiting on me!

Wow, you are going all out for "low volume" reloading. Good on you!

50 brass thats been cleaned and sized.

Forester hand crank trimmer, hand operated chamfer/debur tool, 50 minute process.

Giraud power trimmer, 4 1/2 minute process.

I can't really comment on manual hand tools for this as I've never used them. I certainly wouldn't want to spend 50 minutes trimming/chamfering/deburring ..

I use the Lyman Trim Xpress (motorized) for trimming and the Lyman prep station (motorized) for chamfering/deburring (in addition to its other uses)... I haven't ever timed myself trimming/chamfering/deburring 50 pieces of brass ... But I would say that my prep time can't be far off from the 4 1/2 minutes you have for the Giraud... it's a pretty quick process... certainly nowhere close to manual tool timing.

I like the idea of a trimmer that does chamfering/deburring at the same time that it trims..

Now stop tempting me to jump down that rabbit hole dammit ! LOL

Buy the best and don’t look back,

I’m very happy with my RCBS trim pro, with the upgraded cutter head that trims, chamfers, and deburrs all at once. I hated the manual crank, but put a drill driver on the crank handle and I can really get after it.

I didn't vote because I don't know anyone with the Henderson that could give me good data to reference from...

Saying that I have the Giraud, it's as advertised and I don't regret the purchase at all. It turned a process that I absolutely hated into a non-event and just another step in the process. Having a pilot for every group of cartridges is a PIA...so for that reason if I was buying today I would really look heavily into the Henderson.

Good luck.

I think the amount of money you should spend just depends on how much you hate trimming, and I think that's pretty much the way it goes for all of us.

I started out a certain way with certain tools (RCBS) and then at some point I realized I'd invested a lot of money to make things easier and more convenient. I dunno, but if I'd just used the basic trimmer up until I reached a point that I wanted to invest in more and better tools I might have gone another direction...but as I sit now, it's a powered RCBS trimmer, 3-way cutters, and trim gauges. I can change to another cartridge in about 30 seconds and not have to adjust a thing and I really like that, and the results are plenty precise. OTOH, I might have gone with another system had I known from the beginning where I was going to end up.

The worst thing you can do to yourself, if you are a Giraud owner, is have only one cutter head. Adjusting for caliber is a slow painstaking process. I did not do that very long. Now I've got cutter heads set for every caliber I've had to trim brass for.

.224"
.243" (6mm)
.264" (6.5mm)
.284" (7mm)
.308
.338

If the project comes up that I've got to trim brass for a new caliber, I will be buying another cutter head.

100% accurate...I would have a different opinion of the thing if I had to adjust the cutter every time! I assume the same it true for the Henderson, you want a cutter for every caliber.

Can't believe I failed to mention that in my first post...I wouldn't even consider planning to adjust the cutter head...good call JG.

IIRC the first one I got was for 30/30, Little Crow brand(?). Works fine, just haven't done any in ten yrs. Lyman for trimming NATO 308.

Kinda same here. I have the Frankford Arsenal platinum series prep station. The collet is adjustable but I would suggest just getting another for each cartridge. Looks like it retails for nearly $300 now but there is NO WAY I spent that much. I know it was less than $200 or I wouldn't have bought it. Guess inflation reaches to every corner.

Never heard of the Henderson model.

50 brass that's been cleaned and sized: Frankford Arsenal platinum series prep station, five minute process. Not sure how long it would take with a manual trimmer. I wouldn't trim at all if that's what I had.

I’m still rocking the Lee drill mounted trimmer.

It sucks, but I haven’t made myself spend the money on something better.

I guess I’m frugal. I will be the odd man out here. Hopefully you are aware that what you are buying with the high end trimmers is speed. That is what most upgrades to the tools on our bench buy. I have used a Giraud. It is fast. Never tried a Henderson so I didn’t vote in the comparison. For low volume loading I would use a lathe style trimmer and save a lot of money. Trim length accuracy will be the same and without spending more money, simple to change between different cartridges. Loading commercially or for high volume competition rifle shooting, the high end, high speed trimmers are worth the added expense. For average low volume handloaders, they are overkill.

I have no knowledge of either to be able to vote. I started with a hand crank Forster and when the shooting picked up I added a power adapter attachment. When the .223 and .308 picked up I added the 3 in 1 cutter tool to my Forster and that was a game changer. Now, had I known that I would be processing ten thousand .223 over the past few years and a couple thousand .308 I probably would be looking at both of the trimmers. My volume is dropping off so I will stick with the current setup but sometimes I still think about it when I have a couple hundred pieces staring back at me.

I only bought the Frankford because I processed 1500 LC pieces of 5.56X45 for future use. For my usual amount of reloading I would not have needed it.

I have 2 Forster trimmers. One I keep as a manual crank setup. The second one has a drill adapter installed. I have all the collets & pilots. I keep 1 trimmed case of each cartridge that I shoot as a standard so setting up to trim is fast & easy. Using a cordless drill I can trim a big bunch of cases super fast!

I'll need to check into the 3 in 1 cutter....

I did the same thing. Just makes it easier. Doug's prices have risen a bit since I bought mine. He's a joy to work with.

be careful, you'll cut your finger on a trimmed case neck.

I was forced to go to a Giraud, cuz of arthritis in my thumb. Couldn't mash the crank on my Forester anymore.

Curious, on these trimmers the reference point is the shoulder. so how would you trim straight wall cases? I have had to trim .30 carbine before ( headspaces off the rim) and .44 mag to get consistent crimps. My Forster works great for this. The .30 cal 3 in 1 cutter works for me on .30 carbine, 30-30, .308 Win, and 30-06.

For several calibers and low volume, I like the lee trimmers. Get the $25 3 jaw chuck kit, then a $5 pilot for every caliber you need. Just add cordless drill. I do not recommend it without the 3 jaw chuck though.

For visual reference in case you hadn't purchased yet Mickey.

I went with the Henderson. I load too many different calibers to mess with the Giraud. I love it.