nettlle
Contributing Member
I don't have any case gauges. I use calipers. This seems to work.
Plunk test barrel or case gauge
- Thread starter wiiawiwb
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thump_rrr
Member
I use case gauges for my semi auto rifle calibers.
I trim my bulk ammo using a Dillon RT-1200 trimmer.
The trimmer is also what sizes the cases.
It is the best way to ensure you are within SAAMI specs.
For pistol I use the plunk test to determine COAL but once I produce my rounds in bulk usually 3,000 - 5,000 at a time I use a case gauge to check them.
I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and I drop things once in a while, the last thing I want to drop on my tiled relloading room floor is a 1911 or HK barrel so the $30.00 or so for a case gauge is worth it.
I trim my bulk ammo using a Dillon RT-1200 trimmer.
The trimmer is also what sizes the cases.
It is the best way to ensure you are within SAAMI specs.
For pistol I use the plunk test to determine COAL but once I produce my rounds in bulk usually 3,000 - 5,000 at a time I use a case gauge to check them.
I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and I drop things once in a while, the last thing I want to drop on my tiled relloading room floor is a 1911 or HK barrel so the $30.00 or so for a case gauge is worth it.
I have and use Wilson case gauges for handgun (9 mm and .45 ACP) and rifle (.223 Rem). All .223 rounds are processed on a single-stage press; all handgun cartridges are processed on a Dillon SD press.
For .223, I run every hand loaded round through the gauge; if it "fails" but only barely, the base of the cartridge gets a dry marker slash and the round is still fired but the brass gets tossed afterward. Every failed round is always very close to passing (otherwise, I wouldn't even shoot it).
For the handgun calibers, I use the gauge to indicate how well the Dillon SD is producing cartridges. 99.9% of the rounds that "fail" the case gauge test pass a plunk test of my .45 pistols. So far, all 9 mm rounds pass; only some .45 cartridges don't pass. The ones that do not pass usually can be processed through stations 3 and 4 again and then they pass. So the case gauge just indicates which ones I process again.
I like knowing my rounds pass SAAMI specs. Is it critical that they do? No, not for what I do. I do believe that auto-loading rounds that still pass the plunk test may not actually feed well.
For .223, I run every hand loaded round through the gauge; if it "fails" but only barely, the base of the cartridge gets a dry marker slash and the round is still fired but the brass gets tossed afterward. Every failed round is always very close to passing (otherwise, I wouldn't even shoot it).
For the handgun calibers, I use the gauge to indicate how well the Dillon SD is producing cartridges. 99.9% of the rounds that "fail" the case gauge test pass a plunk test of my .45 pistols. So far, all 9 mm rounds pass; only some .45 cartridges don't pass. The ones that do not pass usually can be processed through stations 3 and 4 again and then they pass. So the case gauge just indicates which ones I process again.
I like knowing my rounds pass SAAMI specs. Is it critical that they do? No, not for what I do. I do believe that auto-loading rounds that still pass the plunk test may not actually feed well.
I have complete slides, case gages, chamber gages cut off barrels, take off barrels and new barrels.
Then I have a couple of builds that like new ammo, the 2 builds do not like reloads. There is something about a case that has the appearance of having swallowed a bullet that will not feed reliable. For me that is not a problem, when loading for the builds I finish by sizing the case with a carbide die, I do not size the full length of the case I size enough of the case to remove the bulge from the bullet.
Removing the bulge makes the cases look like factory loads. I had a much disciplined reloader tell me I did not know how to load for the 45 ACP. He made me an offer: he said he would meat me at the range and we would try his reloads. He brought 3 1911s and I brought 2. His reloads would not cycle in my two pistols. He offered his 45 ammo to every shooter on the range. They loved his free ammo and thought it was flawless. I do not live that far from the range so I went home and ran his 45s through my 45ACP sizing die then returned to the range. His ammo flew through my pistols like new, factory store bought ammo.
F. Guffey
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