Who uses a case gauge for your plunk test? Do you plunk test rifle and pistol cases? I found out that most of my .223 Rem cases didn't fit the case gauge and I had to resize them after installing primers so I removed the decapping rod and pin and sized the cases in question. I also found some suspected bad cases among them and had to de--prime those bad cases and save the primers, anyone else ever done that? I got three cases stuck and they were hard to remove because they already had primers installed. Guess it is all in the learning process. When I first had a stuck case. I buggered up the de-capping rod and pin that I now use to knock out the primer. I lubed every fifth case and after the third stuck case, I lubed every case. When they got stuck, the base broke off. After getting the primer removed, I was able to use my RCBS Case Remover to remove the case, what a life saver. I paid $5.99 and free shipping because the seller said that they had light corrosion from being stored for a very long time. I removed the corrosion with Kroil Oil ( oil that eats rust) and the remover set looks brand new. One of my best investments.
CASE GAUGE
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JemezDave
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I plunk 45 auto, 9mm, .223 for my ARs, and .300 WM using Willis’ collet die which also doubles as a case gauge. I like the Lee factory crimp dies for my auto pistols. I never worry about ammo quality and doesn’t really take any time. Life is good at the range!
JEBruns
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I use the Hundo 100 round case gauge for my 9mm's. My Shadow 2 is picky, and that's what drove me to get the Hundo. I found a fair amount of failures once I started using it. I went to a Lee Undersized die and it cleaned up 99+% of the problem.
For rifle, I use a Hornady gauge. Not getting many failures from my RCBS TC dies, not enough to worry about. I just mark the brass, shoot them into the berm (yes, they still work in my AR) and toss the brass. Make sure your sizing die is kissing the shell plate when sizing.
For rifle, I use a Hornady gauge. Not getting many failures from my RCBS TC dies, not enough to worry about. I just mark the brass, shoot them into the berm (yes, they still work in my AR) and toss the brass. Make sure your sizing die is kissing the shell plate when sizing.
lordpaxman
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I use the actual chamber for an initial plunk test to determine max and working COL. For pistol competition calibers I use the Shockbottle gauge if available, for rifle it’s just a 1 in 10 QC check with an EGW gauge.
I’m not going to step in to the yet again great debate about FCDs, but I do agree with you when a round passes through them, at least the case will chamber. Good luck.
GeoDudeFlorida
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A "plunk" by definition is in the barrel/chamber of the firearm(s) to be used. It's a fitment test of the finished round to the intended barrel. Gauging brass and finished rounds is another thing - it's gauging.
I use gauges under two circumstances: A) when I want to load to a factory spec'; and, B) when I can't plunk my barrel for some reason. I use case gauges (finished spec' and resized) exclusively for .380ACP, .30-06, and 9mm Makarov. I use a gauge for .380ACP because there's so much variation between my .380's that I am best off loading to a factory spec' rather than try and load to one barrel to fit all of them. I use a gauge for .30-06 because plunking a Garand barrel is a PITA. I use a gauge for 9mm Makarov because I'm loading for a Polish Radom P64 and a CZ 82; the P64's chamber is so loose it's more of a plop than a plunk and the CZ is a PITA to get out of the safe. It's my wife's and she has her own pistol safe.
Hope this helps.
The way I “Plunk Test” my loads is to drop the bullets into the bullet sizers that I have 1 for each caliber. It appears that 9mm, and 45ACP are the ones getting the most attention. The remainder are useful to quick check the brass size.
Just my $.02
Dan
PS, As I said, just my $.02, you may agree and you may disagree, your choice.
Remember the old saying…. Opinions are like ********, everyone has one, most are different.
Just my $.02
Dan
PS, As I said, just my $.02, you may agree and you may disagree, your choice.
Remember the old saying…. Opinions are like ********, everyone has one, most are different.
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edwardware
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If you're doing something you call a plunk test in a gauge other than your barrel, the results are only as reliable as your correlation study to demonstrate a match (chamber, and leade into rifling) between that gauge and your barrel.
If your correlation study was limited to buying the correct caliber case gauge, your plunk test is useless. If you're using the gauge to validate case sizing after seating, you don't understand the difference between a chamber checker, and a plunk test.
I only use case gauges for rounds that I have had problems with. That's .308, 6.5 Creedmoor & 300 blackout are the only calibers that I have had problems chambering so far. Pistol calibers I have never had chambering problems with.
JFrank
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I think this is all covered on the reloading library sticky
rfwobbly
Member
You cannot effectively use a cartridge gauge to do the Plunk Test because the gauge has no rifling. One of the more important parts of the Plunk & Spin test is to insure that the bullet is not engaging the rifling.
A cartridge gauge can effectively test case length, bullet alignment (concentricity), case roundness, case head diameter, and similar tests, but the gauge can test very few aspects of bullet seating.
A cartridge gauge can effectively test case length, bullet alignment (concentricity), case roundness, case head diameter, and similar tests, but the gauge can test very few aspects of bullet seating.
GeoDudeFlorida
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It's hard to get people to read FAQ pages when it's easier (for them) to ask every question addressed in the FAQ and get lots of answers to their specific questions to ignore.
While looking for a .358 plug gauge yesterday (checking cylinder throats on a new 357 Magnum), I found my Wilson 45 ACP gauge, I put it in the back of my "gauge drawer" about 13 years ago. When I was reloading for a new 1911 I figgered I should have one (first and only use). I fought my set up (dies, brass bullets, press etc.) and couldn't get any rounds to fit the gauge, all would stand a few thousandths tall. I even bought a new RCBS die set. Cruising a forum I saw a similar problem and one of the answers was "How do they plunk?". I plunk tested 50 handloaded 45 ACPs and all plunked cleanly. I put the gauge in the drawer an forgot it. Haven't used a cartridge gauge since...
For .357, 44 and 460, I use the chambers as a case gauge. The only rimmed cartridge I use a case gauge for is the 45-70.
But for 9mm, 45ACP and 10mm, I use the case gauges during the loading process. Before I load any rounds for SD purposes, in addition to the case gauge, I'll plunk test them ALL in the barrel. I also plunk test every factory SD round that goes into my pistols as well... and I have caught some Buffalo Bore rounds that were too wide. If a round even offers a little resistance but still seats flush, you better chuck the round cause it probably won't eject. Last thing you need is a casing that is stuck in the chamber.
I'll use the gauges for all the bottle necks I FL or SB size, but for the batches I neck size I'll have to use the chambers cause they won't fit in the gauge. Having some redundant safety measures or tools is always a plus.
But for 9mm, 45ACP and 10mm, I use the case gauges during the loading process. Before I load any rounds for SD purposes, in addition to the case gauge, I'll plunk test them ALL in the barrel. I also plunk test every factory SD round that goes into my pistols as well... and I have caught some Buffalo Bore rounds that were too wide. If a round even offers a little resistance but still seats flush, you better chuck the round cause it probably won't eject. Last thing you need is a casing that is stuck in the chamber.
I'll use the gauges for all the bottle necks I FL or SB size, but for the batches I neck size I'll have to use the chambers cause they won't fit in the gauge. Having some redundant safety measures or tools is always a plus.
Edwardware; Please school me as to what you are saying, we could be talking about the same thing but phrasing is differently!! What do you mean "chamber checker"?? When installing the bullet I measure the length and stick with what the SAMMI says, I think that is the right thing to do.
"If your correlation study was limited to buying the correct caliber case gauge, your plunk test is useless. If you're using the gauge to validate case sizing after seating, you don't understand the difference between a chamber checker, and a plunk test."
"If your correlation study was limited to buying the correct caliber case gauge, your plunk test is useless. If you're using the gauge to validate case sizing after seating, you don't understand the difference between a chamber checker, and a plunk test."
As already stated you can't "plunk test" in a case gauge. An important thing that the plunk test is used for is to determine if your OAL will clear your rifling, the case gauge won't do that.
Yes, to determine my OAL before I start reloading. I also case gauge all my handgun rounds
It might save you a lot of work to case gauge right after you resize before you prime...at least until you get your dies/process set up correctly
s
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I do all 9MM that way, cases with even close to fat bases fail and get scrapped.
If sized cases pass the gauge, so do loaded rounds.
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GeoDudeFlorida
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Did the OP ever go read that long and superbly documented thread in the knowledge sticky all about gauges, plunk test, comparators and everything else related to gauging cartridges? Just wondering.
GeoDudeFlorida
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That’s truly a great article and well worth the read - I’ve read it four or five times and already knew how to make gauges from turned steel before I read it the first time - but I was referring to this plunk test article:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...rel-find-a-max-o-a-l-with-your-bullet.506678/
Definitely some of your best stuff @Walkalong
JemezDave
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[QUOTE="lordpaxman, post: 12172881,
I’m not going to step in to the yet again great debate about FCDs, but I do agree with you when a round passes through them, at least the case will chamber. Good luck.[/QUOTE]
Then why bring it up at all? Did you not read my entire post sir.
I’m not going to step in to the yet again great debate about FCDs, but I do agree with you when a round passes through them, at least the case will chamber. Good luck.[/QUOTE]
Then why bring it up at all? Did you not read my entire post sir.
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