[SsevenN]

Hi guys,

I've been reloading .40SW and 9mm for almost a month now.

I was wondering, is a case length gauge something I should invest in?

At the moment i have so much brass that it hasn't been an issue, most has only fired the original loads.

And if I should buy one, I will also need a case trimmer I assume. I was wondering what brand and model would be best for handgun ammunition.

Thanks,
7

[rcmodel]

No a case-length guage is not required.

A dial caliper is required though, and you can use it to measure case length as well as a gazillion other things.

rc

[SsevenN]

OKay so once I have my dial calipers, I will need a case trimmer to actually resize the casing correct?

Is there a specific kind of case trimmer that is superior to it's competition?

thanks again,
7

[rcmodel]

Many folks use the Lee trimmer stud & pilot cutter if they only deal with one or two calibers.

Moving up, I like the Hornady case trimmer because of the cam-lock feature being very fast & easy to use.

But truth be known, there is no reason in the world to trim straight-wall cases like the 9mm & .40 S&W.
The taper crimp used for auto pistols is not fussy about case length.

You can drop fired cases in your pistol barrel for a case guage.
If they stick out past the barrel hood, they are too long, but I have never seen one yet in almost 50 years!

Case trimming only becomes critical with bottle-neck rifle cases & I suppose Magnum revolver cases where a heavy roll-crimp is used..

[33rowdy]

QUOTE!
"Is there a specific kind of case trimmer that is superior to it's competition?"

Are you saying that you want the best that money can buy?

Alot of opnions on that one!

[SsevenN]

Hmmm, come to think of it.

I think I already have a cutter and lock stud. It came with the Lee press kit.

So I guess all I'm looking for is the dial calipers.

Thanks RC, you have been very helpful.:)

[sqlbullet]

+1 on the straight wall cases not really growing much in length. Your brass will almost certainly be lost of split long before it would need trimmed.

[rfwobbly]

Calipers
You can use dial, vernier, or digital calipers. Any calipers you can find will work great. It doesn't HAVE to be a "dial" caliper. RC may simply use that term interchangeably.

The main thing is that you have an instrument on your bench that is easy and quick to read; one that has +/- .001 accuracy. If your loading is done where it is especially cold and a "digital caliper" battery would not last long, then certainly the non-electric "dial caliper" would be superior. Otherwise, the clear numeral readout on a digital makes the process of reading the instrument nearly foolproof... especially for a beginning reloader.

If you have a Northern Tool or Harbor Freight near you, they regularly have fairly nice digital calipers on sale. I bought a pair in December from HF for $13, whereas I paid $70 for my dial calipers. HF also has a website.


Cartridge Gauges
Owning a caliper will NOT relieve you of the need to purchase a cartridge gauge. A cartridge gauge is used to check your finished ammo. It's a quick way to measure several critical dimensions in under 1/2 second. For instance, a cartridge gauge can detect out-of-round conditions much easier than a caliper, since the latter only measures on 2 contact points.


Hope this helps!

[SlamFire1]

I don't shoot 40S&W. I shoot most other pistol calibers. Rifle cartridges have to be trimmed. They grow too long and pinch the bullet in the chamber throat. Pistol cartridges just don't have those issues.

[SsevenN]

THR continues to deliver.


I'm going with dial calipers, in the end, I might go digital as well.

Thanks for all the advice folks, this site is the best place to go for on the spot, firearms trouble shooting.

.................My anecdotal evidence says so.;)

[flynlr]

the case length gauge for my 40 has paid off over and over.
even after decapping and sizing 1000's of rounds i drop every piece of brass into my Lyman gauge. this at a minimum lets me know if it was sized ok . for every 100 rounds I size from range pickups there is the odd piece that needs another trip into the sizing die. so I find it handy .

[RustyFN]

You shouldn't have to trim straight wall pistol cases. I don't know anybody that ever has anyway. As far as a case gage I just take the barrel out of my gun and use it. After all that's what they really have to end up fitting anyway.
Rusty

[matrem]

I think the "case length gage"(that's how they spell it) that SsevenN may have been referring to? Is what Lee calls the caliber specific rod that works with their cutter & lock stud to limit how much is trimmed.
OP..Please correct me if I'm wrong about that..
If those are the only calibers you're loading for ..Lump me in that group that agrees that trimming is a moot point.

[rcmodel]

I thought he was talking about one of these:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp;jsessionid=EOLNN4LTCJT0ZLAQDRJSCONMCAOFIIWE?id=0065775216848a&type=product&cmCat=froogle&cm_ven=data_feed&cm_cat=froogle&cm_pla=0370106&cm_ite=0065775216848a&_requestid=101872

Or these:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=247371

rc

[matrem]

That was my first thought as well.But after reading it again ? And I may well be wrong about the meaning of the original question?

[RustyFN]

I think the "case length gage"(that's how they spell it) that SsevenN may have been referring to? Is what Lee calls the caliber specific rod that works with their cutter & lock stud to limit how much is trimmed.
Good point matrem I didn't think of that.
Rusty

[rfwobbly]

I thought he was talking about one of these:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...questid=101872

I think you were right the first time! This plastic gauge is $14, my electronic digital readout calipers from Harbor freight were $13. Calipers are FAR more useful and can be re-zeroed due to wear. These type plastic gauges just wear large and get ready for the trash can.


Or these:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=247371

That's what I call a cartridge gauge.

:)