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Posted: 2/25/2012 4:19:12 PM EDT
| Hi all, I'm starting to get into reloading and I am looking for a good case gage for multiple calibers (9mm, 223, 308). I found this one, but I'm not sure if it that great because it only measures the OAL. I thought that I needed something to measure the inside bell of the case, but I'm not sure. So, what do you guys use for case gages and what do you recommend? |
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Quoted: http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Case%20Gauge/P2060717.jpg I use Dillon gauges as my first choice, Wilson if Dillon is not available in a caliber. We have a lot of the same equipment. I recommend Dillon first then Wilson second. That Lyman contraption in the OP is darn near worthless IMHO. You can use calipers to measure OAL |
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Quoted:
A caliper will measure OAL, the Hornady Headspace gage will measure shoulder set back on bottle neck cases, and the Hornady Bullet Comparator will measure the length based on the bullet's ogive. The Hornady tools come in kits that cover most calibers. Do it right the first time, get this gage set. About 50% of the threads on this forum are from people who have no gage or who have a case gage and still have sizing problems. If nothing else, case gages are hard to use. You have to be able to see them and read them to within half the thickness of a human hair (or less). If you have use your calipers on your case gage, they become awkward and tedious to use. If everyone had the Hornady gages, there'd be a lot fewer problems posted on this forum. The Hornady gages work. Case gages,... not so much. |
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Most of the sizing problems here are from new reloaders that don't know how to set up their sizing dies yet. When you are starting out and have no mentor, problems can come up. That's where we come in. Sharing knowledge and experience with new reloaders.
I find case gauges very easy to use. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
A caliper will measure OAL, the Hornady Headspace gage will measure shoulder set back on bottle neck cases, and the Hornady Bullet Comparator will measure the length based on the bullet's ogive. The Hornady tools come in kits that cover most calibers. Do it right the first time, get this gage set. About 50% of the threads on this forum are from people who have no gage or who have a case gage and still have sizing problems. If nothing else, case gages are hard to use. You have to be able to see them and read them to within half the thickness of a human hair (or less). If you have use your calipers on your case gage, they become awkward and tedious to use. If everyone had the Hornady gages, there'd be a lot fewer problems posted on this forum. The Hornady gages work. Case gages,... not so much. Ya what these guy said. Caliper, Hornady headspace gauge, Hornady modified case for finding OAL and bullet comparator plus a couple once fired pieces of brass from your weapon and a couple bullets you plan on shooting will tell you everthing you need to set up you sizing die and where to start seating your bullets at. All the Wilson or Dillon gauges basically do is tell you if the case is within SAMMI specs. I have a 243 that is right on the bottom edge of these specs and didn't figure that out until I had rounds that won't chamber. The rounds are within the headspace specs so in a go gauge they are a go but in the rifle they are a no go. Do it right the first time, get the above stuff, figure out how to use it and make the best rounds possible. |
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Quoted:
Hi all, I'm starting to get into reloading and I am looking for a good case gage for multiple calibers (9mm, 223, 308). I found this one, but I'm not sure if it that great because it only measures the OAL. I thought that I needed something to measure the inside bell of the case, but I'm not sure. So, what do you guys use for case gages and what do you recommend? The item in your link is only for measuring case length (= do I need to trim the case). I have and use one for quick sorting of cases that need trimming, or don't. It's faster than using a case gauge, which is more about measuring head space. I use the Wilson for that. Don't get the Lyman one, it's worthless. IMO a case gauge isn't totally necessary. Even with a good gauge (Wilson, etc.) you don't get consistent results. I purchased new LC brass and dropped a group of them into the Wilson gauge. Not all fit perfectly yet they all loaded into my AR just fine. If you don't have a case gauge, load a dummy round (re-sized case & bullet) and drop it (by hand) into your gun's chamber to verify fit and extraction. Easy in, easy out. Works especially well with pistols since you can remove the barrel. If you think you are having problems with your re-sizing die then get a case gauge, but I went for years without one. JMO |
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Calipers are a requirement for bottlenecked rifle reloading. Lyman's gage is a waste of money, especially when you already need the calipers anyway. I do not hold with those who like the simple drop in gages. They do not give you a measurement in .001" increments like Mo DeFina's gage, RCBS's gage or Hornady's Lock-N-Load system.
If you have or intend to have mutiple calibers to reload, your best cost savings system for multiple calibers is Hornady's Lock-N-Load. I suggest you buy Sinclair International's bump gage inserts to go with it. I purchased Mo DeFina's excellent gages (for .223, .308 & .30-06) long before RCBS or Hornady ever thought of manufacturing resizing gages. RCBS is actually an inferior knock-off of Mo's gage. |
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I prefer head space gages. Lyman and Wilson are the two I use.
Lyman for pistol. Wilson for rifle. Favoring one brand over another is a matter of personal preference as Dillon, Lyman and Wilson are cut to SAAMI spec. SAAMI spec is SAAMI spec all day, everyday. Lyman will work for all calibers and rust the quickest if subjected to moisture. Some how or another my Lyman head space gages have stood the test of time without rusting but my set up isn't in the garage or back forty tool shed. If they were to show signs of rust a quick tustle in tumbler with media gets rust off. |
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