Difference between case gages?

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strat81

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You're correct, strat81--I have the max cart gauge in my pistol calibers, and the standard one in .223.

At least for the pistol caliber gauges, you can also get an LOA reference point and, AFAICT, a bit more info about the fit at the bullet-crimp area. I don't think the standard gauge tells you much about loaded cases, other than case spec-matching.

I am not experienced enough to comment on the rifle gauges, so somebody else has to chime in there.

I don't suppose you want to know that I paid $5.99-$6.99 back when I bought them in the early-mid Nineties....

Jim H.
 

The first one is for unloaded cases
image


The second one is for finished cartridges.
image
 
Thanks guys!

A follow-up question: any difference between the Lyman, Wilson, and Dillon gages? Is one better than the others?
 
The first one is a case gauge, the second is a cartridge gauge.

For rifle, you won't find too many cartridge gauges, just case gauges. As far as those you listed, the case gauges are pretty much the same. If you want headspace gauges, then there's two choices. RCBS case gauge is the best. It will measure your sized cases to tell you if they are at SAMMI minimum or where they fall above or below that measurement in thousandths of an inch. It will also measure brass shot in your rifle to tell you what the headspace is in your rifle. You can then use that measurement to set your full length die to fit your rifles chamber. Doing that will lessen case stretch and assure your reloads will chamber.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=477756

The other option is the Hornady system here;

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=479704&t=11082005

With this you also need a calipers to read the headspace.
 
The first one only does case length.

The second checks all dimensions after sizing and or loading.
 
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