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Posted: 12/1/2015 2:26:05 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Birddog1911][Edited]
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Saving up for a Giraud, but this looked interesting. Wondering if anyone can provide feedback. |
Harley motorcycles and Colt 1911s...F@#% the haters!
Member of the NRA, GOA, SAF.
Member of the NRA, GOA, SAF.
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I've been using mine for about a year now, no problems. Keep in mind I'm a small volume loader... I don't load for my AR's, just bolt guns.
Having said that, the machine makes quick work of all my case prep needs. trimming is easy but I wouldn't want to do thousands of 223/5.56 at a time, holding the smaller cases gets tiring on your thumb and index finger. I've tried case holders, pliers and gloves... the Lee holder and spark plug pliers were just a PIA and gloves don't help with fatigue. Doing larger 308, 270, 30-06 cases is much easier since you have more to grab onto. Trimming, once set up, is even and uniform. I did replace my FA cutter with an RCBS so I could use a pilot busing, gives a more uniform cut since the case is centered on the cutter. The VLD and outside chamfer cutters work well, as does the small/large primer pocket cleaners. If you need to remove primer crimps the Hornady's work well, I put mine in the primer pocket cleaning station when needed. Overall I'm happy with mine. It's MUCH easier than the RCBS lathe style I was using. I have read that doing 300BLK is nearly impossible on this trimmer, I don't load 300BLK but just from doing .223/5.56 I can see where the shorter case would be a PIA, not sure if that matters or not to you. |
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I do volume loading and use this trimmer. I agree with all the statements above.
Your hand will cramp after a while, holding a .223 case for example. But the same is true for a giraud except that the giraud has a 3-way cutter that chamfers as it cuts, so one piece of brass goes through the giraud faster. The FA cutter dulled quickly and I replaced it with the hornady cutter and pilots. This is a worthwhile upgrade that requires modest modifications. I bought the hornady primer pocket cutter and installed it in the top position in the FA. It's the best solut to crimped primers I've used- I sold my Dillon super swage. You must rotate your case through at least 180* to get a square cut. You will not be able to trim short cases like 300nlk or 5.7x28. I like the FA unit and the improvements I've made to it. It's hard to beat for the price. But if price isn't that important to you, get the giraud. |
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I used my buddies FA for a little bit to make some 25ar brass, worked good needed to space the cutter out a little to take 2mm off the case.
The factory cutter is shit! I am pretty sure i found a replacement that will work pretty sure it is the rcbs cutters. I gave my buddy the PN i found. I need to pick one up one of these days i did find it helpful. |
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I've had mine for about a year now and it's been great.
I only use it for .233 (for now), and it is repeatedly accurate for trimming, plus, the three additional rotating shafts can be used to run any of the various tools you might want for deburring etc. Built like a brick and just keeps working. Probably have maybe between 3000 to 3500 cases processed with it at this point. Best deal going. |
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Originally Posted By colt933: I do volume loading and use this trimmer. I agree with all the statements above. Your hand will cramp after a while, holding a .223 case for example. But the same is true for a giraud except that the giraud has a 3-way cutter that chamfers as it cuts, so one piece of brass goes through the giraud faster. The FA cutter dulled quickly and I replaced it with the hornady cutter and pilots. This is a worthwhile upgrade that requires modest modifications. I bought the hornady primer pocket cutter and installed it in the top position in the FA. It's the best solut to crimped primers I've used- I sold my Dillon super swage. You must rotate your case through at least 180* to get a square cut. You will not be able to trim short cases like 300nlk or 5.7x28. I like the FA unit and the improvements I've made to it. It's hard to beat for the price. But if price isn't that important to you, get the giraud. Could you give detailed info regarding the mods and specific cutter you swapped with? |
Harley motorcycles and Colt 1911s...F@#% the haters!
Member of the NRA, GOA, SAF.
Member of the NRA, GOA, SAF.
|
RCBS cutter
I have used this with rcbs pilots on my FA trimmer. Carbide cutter I currently use the carbide version with pilots. The linked price is a little high, shop around. Edit: The RCBS cutter required no mods, simply unscrew the FA cutter, screw in the RCBS. Using the pilots so far requires no mods, however,I haven't used all of them. |
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Originally Posted By shultz: RCBS cutter I have used this with rcbs pilots on my FA trimmer. Carbide cutter I currently use the carbide version with pilots. The linked price is a little high, shop around. Edit: The RCBS cutter required no mods, simply unscrew the FA cutter, screw in the RCBS. Using the pilots so far requires no mods, however,I haven't used all of them. Just to be clear, what do you mean when you say "carbide version with pilots"? |
Harley motorcycles and Colt 1911s...F@#% the haters!
Member of the NRA, GOA, SAF.
Member of the NRA, GOA, SAF.
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Originally Posted By Birddog1911: Just to be clear, what do you mean when you say "carbide version with pilots"? Originally Posted By Birddog1911: Originally Posted By shultz: RCBS cutter I have used this with rcbs pilots on my FA trimmer. Carbide cutter I currently use the carbide version with pilots. The linked price is a little high, shop around. Edit: The RCBS cutter required no mods, simply unscrew the FA cutter, screw in the RCBS. Using the pilots so far requires no mods, however,I haven't used all of them. Just to be clear, what do you mean when you say "carbide version with pilots"? Click the link, a case trimmer cutting head. |
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