Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
Armory Sponsor
2/13/2013 11:22:02 AM EDT
Are calipers necessary for reloading? Or are there other ways of achieving the same check of proper length? I'm going to be reloading .308 Winchester.
2/13/2013 11:56:52 AM EDT
[#1]
You really should have a caliper to measure things.

I have stopped using an old mechanical dial version that came with my Dillon reloading set-up.
Now using a digital one from Harbor Freight. Its has held its accuracy over several years.
Like this one for $12.00
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-digital-caliper-47257.html
2/13/2013 11:58:51 AM EDT
[#2]
There are other ways to be "close enough", but a decent pair of calipers is pretty cheap and useful for a lot of things other than overall length. I can't think of a good reason not to have a pair of calipers in your reloading kit.
2/13/2013 12:05:31 PM EDT
[#3]
Quoted:
You really should have a caliper to measure things.

I have stopped using an old mechanical dial version that came with my Dillon reloading set-up.
Now using a digital one from Harbor Freight. Its has held its accuracy over several years.
Like this one for $12.00
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-digital-caliper-47257.html


so what gauge are you using to check their accuracy
2/13/2013 12:06:34 PM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
Are calipers necessary for reloading? Or are there other ways of achieving the same check of proper length? I'm going to be reloading .308 Winchester.


If you buy a set, you'll realize how handy they actually are.
2/13/2013 12:10:17 PM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
Quoted:
You really should have a caliper to measure things.

I have stopped using an old mechanical dial version that came with my Dillon reloading set-up.
Now using a digital one from Harbor Freight. Its has held its accuracy over several years.
Like this one for $12.00
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-digital-caliper-47257.html


so what gauge are you using to check their accuracy

The old mechanical gauge.

Also use case gauges and such to check the loaded rounds.
2/13/2013 12:16:51 PM EDT
[#6]
Thanks guys. I've got dial calipers on the way from Harbor Freight.
2/13/2013 4:41:49 PM EDT
[#7]
I used vernier calipers for years before I got a dial caliper. I bought an 8" dial caliper for loading my 50 bmg rounds.
2/13/2013 5:04:35 PM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
Quoted:
You really should have a caliper to measure things.

I have stopped using an old mechanical dial version that came with my Dillon reloading set-up.
Now using a digital one from Harbor Freight. Its has held its accuracy over several years.
Like this one for $12.00
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-digital-caliper-47257.html


so what gauge are you using to check their accuracy

I have been using the HF digital caliper for 6 years with no issues. I check it every use with a Starrett (sp?) 1 inch standard. Dead on every time. I'm not knocking the top tier units, just not necessary for most reloading purposes. Now if we were building rockets or something..

2/13/2013 5:14:37 PM EDT
[#9]
Calipers are very useful in more things than just reloading. They are cheap enough to invalidate any argument for not purchasing because of cost. And sometimes, close enough just don't cut it, especially when you are troubleshooting some sort of problem.
Armory Sponsor