Case gauge question for 223

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QuietMike

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If I'm reloading 223/556, and i want it to fire in anything, should I use the 223 case gauge to check them or the 556 case gauge,
does it even matter?

thanks
 
Their one in the same. Just pick one. You will still need to check for bullet ogive contacting the lands between the different chambers. Some bullet profiles are such depending on chamber will drive the bullet into the lands. I have a min spec 223R chambers that has extremely short leads. I had to reduce the OAL by 0.020" to clear the lands. It worked fine in my other chambers.
 
L. E Wilson and Dillon case gauges are cut generously in the body dimension and measure only shoulder position and overall case length. You can have a case that fits the case gauge but will not chamber in your rifle.

Sheridan Engineering makes case gauges cut with a chamber reamer to chamber dimensions which will be a better indication of what you are looking for.
 
There is a slight difference in the cases, it being at the neck. 556 is the solution. 5.56 bullets will shoot in either one, .223 will only shoot in a .223.
 
L. E Wilson and Dillon case gauges are cut generously in the body dimension and measure only shoulder position and overall case length. You can have a case that fits the case gauge but will not chamber in your rifle.

Sheridan Engineering makes case gauges cut with a chamber reamer to chamber dimensions which will be a better indication of what you are looking for.
Yep.
Wilson & Sheridan .223 Case Gauges.jpg
 
L. E Wilson and Dillon case gauges are cut generously in the body dimension and measure only shoulder position and overall case length.

It's my understanding that those gauges are cut to max SAAMI dimensions... I have fired .308 cases that will fit 'good' in my Wilson gauge. The only thing I use my Wilson gauge for now is checking for the need to trim.
 
It's my understanding that those gauges are cut to max SAAMI dimensions... I have fired .308 cases that will fit 'good' in my Wilson gauge. The only thing I use my Wilson gauge for now is checking for the need to trim.

Quote from the L. E. Wilson web site...

" Measures min/max Headspace. Does not measure body diameters"

Here is the entire page at the Wilson site.

https://lewilson.com/case-gage

Edit, I just noticed that L. E. Wilson is now offering a minimum chamber case gauge. See here...

https://lewilson.com/brass-min-dimension-gage

I guess they wanted to compete with Sheridan.
 
Yes Wilson saw the need for a better guage though I would say I still prefer the steel over the aluminum. I left my aluminum Lyman guage in the garage one night 3 degrees out went out and got it and none of my 224 round would fit in it after about an hour indoors all was good again though it scared me because I thought I had just ruined 200 rounds LOL.
 
The only true case gauge is one made using the reamer that cut the chamber and a drop off of the barrel. There are so many variation of reamers/chambers it's best to confirm with your gun.
 
I like the Wilson gauge when resizing. No need to push shoulder all the way back if your chambers don’t require it
 
Ultimately, the rifle you plan on firing it in is the best gauge.

Good point but the OP did say "any" firearm. To your point there are some rifles that choke on ammunition that will pass a case gauge so some people buy dies that size cases "under" or more than needed for a chamber that is within specification. I would just fix the firearm vs having one that won't run without special ammunition.
 
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