Riss
Member
The directions say to use a chamber headspace gauge to set up the sizing die. Which gauge should be used ? A go gauge, no-go, or field ? Setting it up for a M118LR 308 sniper round if it makes any difference.
Dillon 308 die question ? using a headspace gauge ?
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USSR
Member
Riss,
The Go, No-Go, and Field gauges are to check to see if the chamber of your rifle is within specs. What they are talking about in setting up your full length resizing die, is something like the RCBS Precision Mic which measures cartridge headspace . Wilson also sells a gauge that measures cartridge base to shoulder dimensions. These tools help you to set up your resizing die so as to bump your shoulder back the proper amount.
Don
The Go, No-Go, and Field gauges are to check to see if the chamber of your rifle is within specs. What they are talking about in setting up your full length resizing die, is something like the RCBS Precision Mic which measures cartridge headspace . Wilson also sells a gauge that measures cartridge base to shoulder dimensions. These tools help you to set up your resizing die so as to bump your shoulder back the proper amount.
Don
Riss
Member
Trying to figure it out as I am putting on order in to MidwayUSA tonight. I saw cartridge gauges but am having trouble navigating their site to see exactly what I need. Must be lots of traffic on the net.
Riss
Member
Found the RCBS Precision Mic 308 Winchester at Midway. It appears that this is the beast which you speak of. Did not see it because of internet slowdown. MidwayUSA site is a usual, SLOW. Extra slow tonight makes searching really difficult. Thanks for the help. Any idea on what dies I should get without killing the bank ? I realize I should get good ones, but some of them are downright outrageous in price.
nicholst55
Member
You need this: http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/25547/catid/3/Dillon_Rifle_Case_Gages
Only, not necessarily made by Dillon. L.E. Wilson and Lyman both make them, also. Most anyone - Midway, Natchez, Lock Stock & Barrel, etc., should carry them.
Only, not necessarily made by Dillon. L.E. Wilson and Lyman both make them, also. Most anyone - Midway, Natchez, Lock Stock & Barrel, etc., should carry them.
Riss
Member
Would have been much easier if Dillon had a link to that piece on their die page. THANKS, will add it to the list of stuff I have to get from Dillon.
30Cal
Member
It's not easy to get a numical measurement from the case gages. They're basically Go/NoGo affairs.
I prefer the Hornady comparitor over the case gage and RCBS case mic.
I prefer the Hornady comparitor over the case gage and RCBS case mic.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
You can do the exact same thing by using your rifle itself.
Just set the die so you can feel slight resistance when closing the bolt on a sized case.
That's closer to being right for your rifle then using a drop-in case guage set to SAAMI "close enough to fit everything" specs.
rc
Just set the die so you can feel slight resistance when closing the bolt on a sized case.
That's closer to being right for your rifle then using a drop-in case guage set to SAAMI "close enough to fit everything" specs.
rc
snuffy
Member
My experience with the RCBS case gauge is that you can very accurately measure exactly how much headspace your rifle is set to. RATS! That didn't coem out right!
Here's how it works. You fire a factory round or a handload you made on new-unfired brass. Then you put that round (s) in the case gauge. it will tell you, in .001 accuracy, exactly what your chamber has for headspace. It tells you where your case shoulder is. Example, my .223 bushy, leaves the cases + .007 longer than minimum headspace for .223.
Then you back your FL sizer off about a full turn from contact with the shell holder. Size a case, measure with the gauge, then keep turning the die down until you see the headspace begun to go under where the chamber left it. I've been getting away with setting the shoulder back .003 to end up at .004, they function well in my AR.
For a bolt rifle, you could go with less than .003, camming action being what chambers the round.
The dillon gauge and others like it, only show minimum-maximum headspace via the step cut on the top. They do NOT give a read-out in .000 inch.
Here's how it works. You fire a factory round or a handload you made on new-unfired brass. Then you put that round (s) in the case gauge. it will tell you, in .001 accuracy, exactly what your chamber has for headspace. It tells you where your case shoulder is. Example, my .223 bushy, leaves the cases + .007 longer than minimum headspace for .223.
Then you back your FL sizer off about a full turn from contact with the shell holder. Size a case, measure with the gauge, then keep turning the die down until you see the headspace begun to go under where the chamber left it. I've been getting away with setting the shoulder back .003 to end up at .004, they function well in my AR.
For a bolt rifle, you could go with less than .003, camming action being what chambers the round.
The dillon gauge and others like it, only show minimum-maximum headspace via the step cut on the top. They do NOT give a read-out in .000 inch.
243winxb
Member
+1
This works fine for bolt actions. Your not going to shoot the reloads out of the DROP-IN CASE GAGE are you?
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snuffy
Member
Sure it does.
Use the RCBS gauge only if you really want to KNOW what your FL die is doing to your brass. The other ways are pure guess work.
+1 Here's how it works. You fire a factory round or a handload you made on new-unfired brass. Then you put that round (s) in the case gauge. it will tell you, in .001 accuracy, exactly what your chamber has for headspace. It tells you where your case shoulder is. Example, my .223 bushy, leaves the cases + .007 longer than minimum headspace for .223.
I would think you could do it either way, but for me i perfer the RCBS Precision Mic as i can see exactly what i am doing...
I would think you could do it either way, but for me i perfer the RCBS Precision Mic as i can see exactly what i am doing...
Riss
Member
I understand what measuring a fired case will show me as to what the rifle chamber is. What threw me off was Dillon saying to use a gauge to set up the dies in the first place. Gotta figure if I am going to use all Dillon dies or use Redding or something else. Will be setting up for the same bullet and not changing as the rifle is being chambered for a specific round.
243winxb
Member
Dillon shell plates may not give you the correct cartridge headspacing if you have the flrs die touching the shell plate fully. Its possible to push the shoulder back to far causing excessive headspace
30Cal
Member
Here's the deal. There's a certain amount of tolerance to both the shell holder (shell plate) and the die. Combine that with the fact that it takes roughly a 1/16 turn to get a sizable difference in case lengths. If you follow the blind instructions, you've got a good chance of being out of the ballpark.
I used the chamber to set a die for my M1A; set it up so that the bolt just barely closed. Ended up tearing case heads off three firings later. I got a gage and lo-and-behold, I was pushing the shoulder back too far.
The rifle's chamber will tell you if it'll chamber. It won't tell you if you'll be overworking your brass or otherwise creating an excessive headspace condition. A case gage/comparitor/case mic will.
USSR
Member
Well stated.
Don
......The gauges you mention in your post are for measuring the headspace on you rifle, not your case dimnsions. The go means your rifle chamber is cut to the correct size, if the no go fits your rifle has excessive headspace, the field means that your headspace is ok, but is at the very maximum headspace.
243winxb
Member
Shell Plates & Cartridge Headspace
Here is a shell plate that measures .116" If you adjust your FLRS die by the normal method, die kissing the plate, you will have excessive cartridge headspace with you bottle neck brass (223) The correct measurement should be .125" as the RCBS shell holder is. A RCBS Precision Mic or Hornady Comparitor is needed. The drop-in type is less usefull IMO to gage small amounts as little as .003" . SO AS DILLON HAS SAID IN THERE INSTRUCTION, BUY A CARTRIDGE CASE GAGE. Better yet, get the Mic or Comparitor.
Here is a shell plate that measures .116" If you adjust your FLRS die by the normal method, die kissing the plate, you will have excessive cartridge headspace with you bottle neck brass (223) The correct measurement should be .125" as the RCBS shell holder is. A RCBS Precision Mic or Hornady Comparitor is needed. The drop-in type is less usefull IMO to gage small amounts as little as .003" . SO AS DILLON HAS SAID IN THERE INSTRUCTION, BUY A CARTRIDGE CASE GAGE. Better yet, get the Mic or Comparitor.
243winxb
Member
Dillon Dies & Shell Plate Adjustment
Use a chamber headspace gauge to set up the sizing die for bottle neck type cases or better still, use a RCBS Precision Mic or Hornady Comparitor.
Use a chamber headspace gauge to set up the sizing die for bottle neck type cases or better still, use a RCBS Precision Mic or Hornady Comparitor.
This is the gage I use. Cost about $12.00.
As you can see, new in the package Win brass drops right to the "GO" level on the gage.
This gage is so simple to use. Size your brass, drop it in the gage, and see if it is between the "Go" and "no go".
Showed a gage this week to a new shooter. He was wanting to learn how to reload. He ran his finger over the lip between the go and no go and said something to the effect "that's not much".
The difference between the levels is .006". What's that, less than a fingernail in thickness?
Why horse around guessing?, get a case gage and measure what you are doing!
As you can see, new in the package Win brass drops right to the "GO" level on the gage.
This gage is so simple to use. Size your brass, drop it in the gage, and see if it is between the "Go" and "no go".
Showed a gage this week to a new shooter. He was wanting to learn how to reload. He ran his finger over the lip between the go and no go and said something to the effect "that's not much".
The difference between the levels is .006". What's that, less than a fingernail in thickness?
Why horse around guessing?, get a case gage and measure what you are doing!
snuffy
Member
I'm glad someone put a pic of one of the solid type case gauges. But the point I've been trying to make is; you're only going to be able to "SEE" major differences with that type of gauge. As far as actual measurements in thousandths of an inch, there are none. If what they show you is good enough, then so be it.
A trip to the range for an informal target game resulted in a fellow shooter and good friend having case head separations plaguing him with several AR .223 rifles. A check with my FA gauge, (didn't have my RCBS mic yet), showed he was pushing the shoulders back too far on all the shells he had loaded for that match. They were way below the "go" line, but how much? .010-.015, my eye is not calibrated that finely. He borrowed that gauge, set his dies so he ended up between go and no-go, had no further problems with his .223 handloads.
Riss
Member
Yes I know what a go/no-go gauge is. I have several and use them. Was thrown off by Dillon saying to use a gauge to set up the dies. Makes it sound like you put the gauge IN the press to set it up. I have a case gauge, and dies on the way. Will be resurrecting the thread if I have questions setting up the dies.
Riss
Member
Got the RCBS precision mic and now understand. Not sure if it is "the gauge" that Dillon suggests to use. Since they don't say "get this one". BUT, it will do the job, and very well I do believe. Forgot to also get a chamber checker gauge. Oh well, save that for next weeks order.
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