Gracey case trimmer

270man · #1 12-14-2009, 11:32 AM

To buy or not to buy?? A few months ago I posted a question about the Gracey case trimmer and there were several replies -- all singing the praises of this trimmer. Since that time, I've had a chance to see one in action and now I'm in a real quandary about whether to spend the bucks or stay with what I have -- an RCBS Power Trim Pro setup. I was very impressed when I saw the Gracey demonstrated. It was much faster than my RCBC Trim Pro and it both chamfered and deburred the case mouth in addition to trimming.

One thing kept me from reaching for my wallet and ordering a Gracey. My friend had bought his Gracey already set up and adjusted for the 223 Rem case. He had talked with the seller by phone and was told that proper adjustment for chamfering/deburring was "a bit tricky". My friend will soon buy the conversion part for trimming 308 cases and he is worried that he might not be able to adjust the setup correctly. He also told me that he knew of others who had difficulties and some had avoided the problem by buying two separate trimmers set up and each one adjusted for a specific caliber/case. This approach could get expensive.

Have any of you had experience with using the Gracey trimmer and switching back and forth among different calibers. If so, I would like to hear your experiences.

270man

skeet · #2 12-15-2009, 02:19 PM

I, like you, have and use a RCBS power trimmer. I have also had a Gracey trimmer. It is a nice piece of machinery. I sold it though and bought a Giraud trimmer. The Giraud costs much more than a Gracey now but it seems to me to be twice the machine. With all that said unless you do thousands of cases in a short time I really feel the RCBS is as good as the others. Maybe not as fast but I may load 1-2000 cases in 223 annually. Do I need the big buck machines? Nope..I doubt it. The Gracey is a bit tricky to set up for certain..the Giraud fairly easy. If I needed to do that many cases..I'd go with the Giraud. If not, the RCBS will suit my needs. Heck I still use a Wilson trimmer for some of my needs...especially inside neck reaming.. I know..it isn't the new way to go. Outside turning is..but it still works for me.