2aHawaii
Tools and Uses => Reloading => Topic started by: Bcspy on August 28, 2014, 03:38:20 PM
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I have looked at the Giraud annealer and the Bench Source. I would appreciate any comments about the Giraud verses the Bench Source especially from anyone who has one or the other.
I purchased several thousand .223, 308, and a few hundred 338 Lapua cases. My question is: would annealing really increase the life of my brass? Is the accuracy improvement really noticeable or is it a few thousanths or tens of thousanths that would only be noticable during bench rest shooting?
I am open to purchasing an annealer if it will really make differance. Any input would be appreciated.
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I have neither but the Giruard is nearly automatic and can do your several thousand rounds fast.
I anneal 50BMG brass to soften the neck area. This makes them less brittle but don't fire (reload them) enough to notice any difference yet.
To extend the life and reduce growth , I have thought about using the RCBS X dies as a combination,
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With the 50's, annealing helps to get up to 7-8 reloades before junking the brass and. with 50BMG brass up to a $1 a piece , if you can find them. It helps save $ to anneal them.
annealing help to soften the shoulder/neck area and prevent it from getting brittle. The cartriage will eventually crack at the neck.
with.223 brass being cheaper , it may or maybe be worth the machine price and time.
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What Suka said.
The Girauld basically requires no manual work once it is set, just do not leave it unattended as it has an open flame. Simply set the dwell timer, place a bucket under it to drop & instantly cool the brass and immediately stop the annealing process. Also, can stack hundreds of cases depending on the caliber.
The Bench Source would require you to stay there to remove and add cases, plus it costs more.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: for the Giraud.
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+3 on the Giraud. It is a time saver.
Brass life will be greatly increased. I use Lapua brass for .308 and I want those expensive buggaz to last a loooong time. I have reloaded the same cases 10+ times and not showing signs of giving out yet. Larger factory chambers will show the biggest saving, as the brass is worked more every reload. However, even though you anneal, a factory chamber's brass won’t last as long, but still you'll get more life than if you didn't anneal. You will see a accuracy difference only on work hardened necks that are holding the bullet consistently. You'll see a difference more at longer range with better ES/SD on annealed brass. More consistent = more accurate.
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Immediately dunking in water actually hardens metal, letting it cool naturally is a better choice.
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Great advice. Giraud seems to be the best investment for automation but wouldn't having a twin torches design and method of rotating the case better than the Giraud.
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Great advice. Giraud seems to be the best investment for automation but wouldn't having a twin torches design and method of rotating the case better than the Giraud.
You would probably get more even annealing with the two torches. I depends on your purpose. I usually have a ton of brass to anneal at one time. The Giruad make more sense, for my purpose.
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Immediately dunking in water actually hardens metal, letting it cool naturally is a better choice.
Brass is in unusual alloy. Dunking in water does not harden brass. Only working brass will harden it. Water cooling will not do harm, however, over annealing will ruin the case.
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Great advice. Giraud seems to be the best investment for automation but wouldn't having a twin torches design and method of rotating the case better than the Giraud.
The Giraud does rotate the case. :thumbsup: Check out some Youtube videos.
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Two days of constant research and reading almost every forums. It's like AR vs AK war. Both are great machines. I've tried to find any flaws on both machines and only found one on the Giraud with strip gears and motor wear but that's for high heavy use. Only one complaint. No complaint on the Bench Source. Both will last for years. Giraud will have to wait and Bench Source currently available. It's nice to stack and go on the Giraud, but have to buy 2 additional caliber change. Bench Source all caliber in one plate, but one by one. Other concern is if Giraud retires, will the replacement part be available? I learn a lot about both machine and either one is a great buy.
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Two days of constant research and reading almost every forums. It's like AR vs AK war. Both are great machines. I've tried to find any flaws on both machines and only found one on the Giraud with strip gears and motor wear but that's for high heavy use. Only one complaint. No complaint on the Bench Source. Both will last for years. Giraud will have to wait and Bench Source currently available. It's nice to stack and go on the Giraud, but have to buy 2 additional caliber change. Bench Source all caliber in one plate, but one by one. Other concern is if Giraud retires, will the replacement part be available? I learn a lot about both machine and either one is a great buy.
Great points on the Giraud.
I have found I have some small complaints with the too. When I do .308 it is pretty much set and forget, however, I still watch over it since there is an open flame burning. When I do 30-06 cases, I must observe the process more closely, due to the fact that some cases tend to fall off the 'shell rotator'. These cases must be caught and put back into the process. If you think about it, placing cases one by one wouldn't be a problem since you have to watch over the process anyway...
Giraud is great, if you plan on doing bulk, Bench Source for general duties....
I think either choice is great, and I doubt you will be disappointed with either.