What case gauges do you use?

[Greywolf]

I've got on LE Wilson case gauge for my 6.5 Grendel, but need to get a case gauge for my .223, .308, 6.8, .30-06, and 6.5x55 rifles.

I know Wilson, Lyman, and Dillon make them (there may be a few others).

Was wondering what is the most accurate in measuring/determining overall length, shoulder location, etc. I just want to be able to drop a cartridge in after I resize and make sure it is in spec for my rifle so I don't end up loading a bunch of rounds only to find out the shoulder is too far forward or back, etc.

 

[Walkalong]

I do not know which ones are "best", but I have Wilson gauges. I trust them.

 

[stonecoldy]

I use a Lyman case gauge for my .223 Remington loads that are made up for my Mini-14. Works fine just plopping them in there.

 

[USSR]

I use the RCBS Precision Mic for my .308, .30-06, and 6.5x55 to determine case headspace. Overall length is done simply with a caliper.

Don

 

[rcmodel]

L.E. Wilson .223 for use in in AR's & Mini-14.
Thats the only one I have.

I set sizing die headspace for all my bolt-actions using the old
"candle smoke the case shoulder / the rifle chamber is the guage" method.

rc

 

[cfullgraf]

As remodel says.

I have a 223 Dillon gauge. Waste of money in my opinion. Other methods work better, are less expensive and give better information.

 

[rcmodel]

Well, not money wasted in the case of my .223 AR-15 fodder.

I drop every finished round in the Wilson guage to "chamber check" them all.

Getting one of those bulged shoulder rounds stuck in an Colt SP-1 AR-15 chamber with no foreward assist is no fun atall!

rc

 

[JimKirk]

I set sizing die headspace for all my bolt-actions using the old
"candle smoke the case shoulder / the rifle chamber is the guage" method.

I need a case gauge for my AR... but I'll stick to the above method for my bolt guns...worked for the last 40+ yrs. cheaper too.

Jimmy K

 

[cfullgraf]

Well, not money wasted in the case of my .223 AR-15 fodder.

I drop every finished round in the Wilson guage to "chamber check" them all.

Getting one of those bulged shoulder rounds stuck in an Colt SP-1 AR-15 chamber with no foreward assist is no fun atall!

rc

I have had rounds fit in my Dillon 223 Rem case gauge that would not chamber in my match service rifle chamber.

Glad case gauge gives you good information.

 

[Walkalong]

Getting one of those bulged shoulder rounds stuck in an Colt SP-1 AR-15 chamber with no foreward assist is no fun atall!

Amen. Why I bought mine as well. Mini 14 ate them all though.

I have had rounds fit in my Dillon 223 Rem case gauge that would not chamber in my match service rifle chamber.

All bets are off on tight match chambers.

 

[onebigelf]

I've always wondered. Is there any fixing that bulged shoulder? Or just toss it?

John

 

[Slamfire]

I have taken my rifle chamber head space gages and dropped them in my Wilson case gages. Chamber gage "Go" corresponded exactly with "Go" on case gage, " No Go" corresponded exactly with "No Go"

Wilson gages only measure length. They are cut big between the base and the shoulder so you can drop in fired cases and get a very good chamber headspace measurement.

If you want case gages that measure cartridge headspace and "fattness", you will have to ask a gunsmith for a reamer cut gage. For gas guns, "fattness" is just as important as length.

I bought a bought a .223 reamer cut gage from Compass Lake Engineering for $35.00. It is cut with the exact same reamer that Frank used in chambering my Space Gun.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

LE Wilson

 

[243winxb]

L E Wilson for a 223 rem., had a problem with case separations, so needed to find out what was happening on sizing. Also bought a headspace gage, thinking it was the firearm. Found a bad Dillon Shell Plate that is out of Specification

 

[fguffey]

Again, the deck height of a shell holder is .125, but, if someone found a four position 550B shell plate with four different deck heights use it as a competition shell holder, or send i8t back to Dillon and order competition shell holders from Redding, or purchase the companion tool to the press, the feeler gage.

As to gages, I make gages, I check head space without a (fixed) head space gage 3 different ways with the companion tool to the press the feeler gage, dial indicator or gages I make in less time it takes me to locate, order and pay for, forget waiting for their arrival.

It was Jimmy Deans Job to explain the reason the chicken crossed the road, it is not my job to convince anyone it can be done.

F. Guffey

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I also use Wilson because I trust them...

 

[cheygriz]

Wilson!

Spend a couple of extra bucks and get the best.

After all, reloading tools are a lifetime investment if you buy quality to start with.