Which 223 Length Gauge to get

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Bob in MO

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Some of you guys have recommended that I get a case length gage. Do you guys recommend any particular brand that may be available? Or will any do?
Thanks
 
Wilson makes a chamber gauge (gage is how they spell it) as well as a case gauge for .223. Chamber gage checks your loaded round and the case guage looks at a fired case for trimming and cartridge headspace. If unsure what you want, call them. I think you might want the chamber gage. "Case guage" is sometimes tossed about loosely by us guys.

Pivot makes a point in that, if headspace is something you're concerned with, then a headspace set (Hornady) and a caliper might work a bit easier. However, the chamber gage is a great, quick check to use during reloading. I have and use both a headspace set and a chamber gage.

From LE Wilson's site"

Chamber gage:
Reasons to use the Min Dimension Gage
1) You want your reloaded rounds to chamber in a variety of guns
2) You want to check for uniformity of your rounds against SAAMI specifications
3) You want to pinpoint issues with your reloaded ammunition
4) You want a quick check to see if you are under MAX SAAMI COAL
5) You want to check factory ammunition you have purchased

We recommend using the Regular Case Gage for bottle necked cartridges to assist you determining how much to trim and push back your shoulder to suit your chambers headspace. Available in Select Calibers

Case Gage:
One piece gage that will check overall length to indicate the need for trimming, datum to head length to assure correct headspace and to prevent over sizing. Available for most popular rimless cases. The Cartridge Case Gage was designed with safety in mind and was invented by our founder Sam (L.E.) Wilson in 1935 after a fellow shooter approached him for help in solving a case-separation issue. The gage allows you to see just how much you are sizing back your shoulder on your cases.
This is best done by following the steps below.
  • Measure a case in AS-FIRED condition. Note headspace measurement
  • Resize case on current die setting
  • Then place back in the gage to see just how much you are sizing the shoulder back. This can be measured by using the Case Gage Depth Micrometer
  • Finally, adjust sizing die accordingly to desired shoulder set back.

After sizing your cases, there is a good chance the brass will lengthen. The gage will also check min/max case length and will point out the need for case trimming. This is an essential tool for every reloader.
Note: Does not measure body diameters. This gage is intended to be used with fired cases to determine a basis for full length sizing and trimming.
Dillion is good as is Hornady. The gauges are cheap insurance especially if you're picking up range brass. They do not max overall bullet length, so don't throw away your calipher.
 
OK then. Case Gage is what I'm looking for because I want to check case length and Headspace of resized cases.
Thanks
Now if I could only find someone who has them in stock :)
 
OK then. Case Gage is what I'm looking for because I want to check case length and Headspace of resized cases.
Thanks
Now if I could only find someone who has them in stock :)


Yes, there is that big time. Hornady makes them as well:

"Hornady Lock-N-Load® Cartridge Gauges allow the user to check their cases and ammo to ensure a correct fit in SAAMI chambers. Available in a variety of calibers."
 
Sheridan with the cut out. Makes it real easy to see the shoulder setback. I wish I had bought these in the first place. Makes set up real fast.
 
I like the L E Wilson gauges. I have never been happy with Lyman customer service so I pretty much stay away from them.
 
If all you’re interested in is case length, lock your calipers at whatever length you want to use as your max length and just try to slip each case through the locked calipers. It’s just as fast or faster than using a gauge.

If you want to set your sizing die and/or check finished rounds for chambering, the Sheridan gauge is made to minimum SAAMI spec
 
Technically the things we use on our calipers to measure shoulder position are not headpace gauges. We use them to measure where the shoulder is and how much we move it. We still need headspace gauges to check rifle chambers for proper mechanical headspace and case gauges that check to see if our cases should fit a proper chamber and "headspace" safetly, which really means they will fit a proper chamber without excess head clearance.

Gauges @ 50%.JPG
 
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I know what you're referring to as Go, No Gauges, but then I suffer sometimes from a lack of technicolor! The Hornady gauges I was referring to for clarification are:

Lock-N-Load® Headspace Comparator

5523headspace_gauge.e1945272.jpg



Since we're discussing the LNL Comparator, I would mention for general info that there are 5 bushings that come with the set (and a base) and will cover almost any cartridge .223 included. I can't imagine not having a set.

The RCBS Precision Mic mentioned by Blue is as below. I don't use mine much anymore (I had to remove the moth bodies out of the box) but they came in handy once upon a time. The aluminum sticking out of the case is a homemade device used to detect where the chamber cartridge length tolerance actually ends for my .243. That's a gauge too - of sorts anyway. The dowel pushes through the enlarged primer hole to move it into an engagement. I'd forgotten where that was. Thanks!

upload_2021-2-1_21-35-54.png
 
OK then. Case Gage is what I'm looking for because I want to check case length and Headspace of resized cases.
Thanks
Now if I could only find someone who has them in stock :)

Dillon and Wilson case gauges check case length and shoulder position. They are cut generously in the body dimension.

The Sheridan gauge is cut to SAAMI dimensions and checks all case dimensions.

All three are excellent gauges but one needs to know the advantages and limitations of each.

I have some Wilson and Dillon gauges but do not use them much. I have not tried a Sheridan gauge.

The other tools represented above also have their uses as well. I also have a comparator set at my disposal.
 
I know what you're referring to
I had no doubt you understand, I often write for the readers, not the poster I seem to answer.

The "LNL Headspace Comparator" really just gets shoulder position. Without other knowledge to go with it, we don't know if headspace is OK. Go-No Go, Field Gauges check mechanical headspace in rifles. Headspace gauges like the Wilson & Sheridan really just check to see if the case should fit in a properly headspaced rifle, not headspace its self. We, and I am guilty, talk about headspace and cases, when cases don't have headspace.

It could be worse, I could be Guffey. (Inside joke) :)
 
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Walk- What is the one inch long widget in the center of your big photo above. Looks like a metal bullet?
 
Go gauge for checking mechanical headspace in rifles. They make go, no go, and field gauges. 6 Dasher.
 
And there is the RCBS Precision Mic which will measure shoulder position and ogive position of a loaded round.
I’m another fan of the Precision Mic. I’ve used it for setting up my dies for reloading for NRA High Power. It gives great results and allows one to minimize the working of one’s brass when loading for a specific rifle.
 
It really shines when you have to load for several different rifles. It allows you to measure each and adj as needed. And since it can be used to measure where your rifling starts, it's good for setting up your seating die for different bullet profiles.

Just remember it's a compairator. If you happen to have a set of Go gauges for that caliber you can actually check to see how close it is. My 308 is less than a 0.001" on a Go gauge.
 
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