I have one for my pistol reloads which has helped a lot. I am thinking about getting one for my .223 Rem cases when I start reloading them. I have an PAR rifle, Kel-Tec SU16CA which both shoot .223 & 5./56. I also have one for my 30 carbine and the only other rifle I load for is the .223Rem. I have a lot of once fired brass that has been fired from both the above mentioned rifles. Would it be a good idea to buy a Case length gauge? This question is just for my own piece of mind. Thanks for responding.
Does anyone else use Case length gauge??
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Soonerpesek
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It's a good idea to set your sizing die with a case gauge......in my opinion.....at least for a bottlenecked cartridge....and.....you will also be able to check the length of the sized case.....
bullseye308
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It’s worth having one for sure. I have one for every caliber I load for just for quick checks and for the times I drop brass into the wrong pile. 
ballman6711
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I use one of these.
https://sheridanengineering.com/product/223-rem-ammunition-gauge/
Not cheap, but works very well for me.
chris
https://sheridanengineering.com/product/223-rem-ammunition-gauge/
Not cheap, but works very well for me.
chris
ImjinScout85
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I have the Sheridan cutaway 223 case gage and I also have the L.E. Wilson gage, I use them both as they do different functions when checking the cartridge.
Starter52
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I use ammo gauges all the time, and have done so for years.
And yes, some can be pricey.
And yes, some can be pricey.
GeoDudeFlorida
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I only use them for self-loading rifles. .30-06, yes; .303Brit, no. Etc. not at all for pistols.
CoalCrackerAl
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Just one of these.
GeoDudeFlorida
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Way I read the question, all he is asking about is case length. It’s in the title, “Does anyone else use Case length gauge??”
Unless maybe he didn’t mean to put length?
AJC1
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I guess the best answer is what are you wanting it to do. For length only a caliper is already in your box and gives you data vis go/no go. If your checking sizing for functionality I think it's a great tool. If your looking at shoulder bump the rcbs precision mic or hornaday comparitors are the better tool.
Soonerpesek
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I guess if he just wanted to measure length, he would use caliphers..
I took it for granted when he mentioned a gauge.....
tominboise
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What I use, too.
jmorris
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The stepped length only gauge above was the one I was talking about in #4. It’s only useful for the calibers shown and I’ll be honest and say There are a number of rounds it is cut for I have never trimmed in my life and many others I do trim that it doesn’t include.
This one tool will cover everything I load for and turn the circled locking screw can positively lock it at any dimension those length gauges cover and lots more.
When I trim I also don’t go for the maximum length
but if I did I would probably want a more accurate tool for the job. Seems like the manufacturer of the tool agrees.
This one tool will cover everything I load for and turn the circled locking screw can positively lock it at any dimension those length gauges cover and lots more.
When I trim I also don’t go for the maximum length
but if I did I would probably want a more accurate tool for the job. Seems like the manufacturer of the tool agrees.
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If I'm concerned enouth to check case lengths, after sizing, I use calipers. Mainly only check my 308 and 30-06 brass. I thought I needed a cartridge gauge when I started reloading for semi-autos, until I had trouble with getting my 45 ACP handloads to fit and an old timer asked "do they fit the gun?". They did and I put the gauge in a drawer somewhere. (30 years ago). Plunk test does it. I was very cautious when I started reloadin for my Garand and had the same problem with a gauge. Rounds that didn't fit the gauge fed, fired, ejected quite well, and I don't know where that gauge is. I just measure the finished handloads (not every round but a good sample when setiting up)...
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GeoDudeFlorida
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GeoDudeFlorida
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L E Wilson and Dillon case gauges only measure overall case length or shoulder position. They are cut geneously in the body dimmension and will not indicate if you will have chambering issues.
The Sheridan case gauges are cut to minimum SAAMI specs and check the body dimension as well.
For overall case measurements, I use a caliper or a home made “go-no-go” gauge to check for whether cases needed trimming. The Lyman gauge shown above is similar.
Here is one of my gauges.
The Sheridan case gauges are cut to minimum SAAMI specs and check the body dimension as well.
For overall case measurements, I use a caliper or a home made “go-no-go” gauge to check for whether cases needed trimming. The Lyman gauge shown above is similar.
Here is one of my gauges.
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Chuck R.
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I use digital calipers to check length of my rifle brass. I's easy to zero out the calipers at the max length for sorting.
The only cartridge gauge I have is for 9mm ammo. That came about after some 9mm Mak brass got mixed in with my 9mm brass. Found it the hard way during an IDPA PCC match that 9mm MAK brass feeds well, but won't fire. I ended up with one or two in each magazine and after the 2nd stage, borrowed ammo from a friend to finish the match. Now I run my 9mm match ammo through EGW gauge prior to boxing.
The only cartridge gauge I have is for 9mm ammo. That came about after some 9mm Mak brass got mixed in with my 9mm brass. Found it the hard way during an IDPA PCC match that 9mm MAK brass feeds well, but won't fire. I ended up with one or two in each magazine and after the 2nd stage, borrowed ammo from a friend to finish the match. Now I run my 9mm match ammo through EGW gauge prior to boxing.
Soonerpesek
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Chuck R.
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I'm thinking its a typo...sort of. I use calipers for length, micrometers for diameter.
GeoDudeFlorida
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Not to pick nits but the machinist in me can’t resist: a sliding jaws caliper is a type of micro (to the 3rd decimal) measurement instrument. There’s also types of calipers that are not sliding jaws/scale assemblies which are typically considered more accurate than anvil and screw/spindle micrometers. Micrometer just refers to the level of accuracy, not the instrument. Okay, class dismissed.
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