Which gauge for me?

[PO2Hammer]

Tight budget, so I can afford just one tool right now.
Loading 300 AAC Blackout for a 16”/1:10 REM 700 BDL, just the one gun.
I’m neck sizing only right now, running light subs and light supers.

What gauge do you recommend for checking my loaded rounds?

 

[ManFromMontana]

I load .308 for the same gun and I always use the Sheridan case gauges.

 

[barnfrog]

I load .308 for the same gun and I always use the Sheridan case gauges.

I think you missed the part where he said he's on a tight budget.

 

[kerreckt]

I use Sheridan cutaways now that I have a bit more money but in the past it was Lyman. Nothing ever wrong with Lyman I just like the cutaway for shoulders.

 

[DukeConnor]

My sheriden gauge fails quite a few rounds that my lyman passes. if it pases the lyman they cycle fine.

 

[AK Hunter]

As long as your gauge tells you that your reloaded rounds will fit & fire from the chamber of your gun. That's all that you are looking for isn't it?
My gauge fails almost all of the rounds I reload but if it fits into the gauge to the bottom of the extractor groove, it will chamber & will preform well through my gun. I use it as a simple reference so I know my rounds fit before I get to the range & find out I have nothing to shoot.

 

[JFrank]

My favorite gage is my chamber, second favorite would be Wilson

 

[film495]

yea, if you have a tight budget just drop them in the chamber. plunk each one of them in and out and there you go. ones that don't chamber correctly or stick, fail.

 

[sparkyv]

Lyman is a good, budget-wise gauge option...the plunk test is cheaper though inconvenient.

 

[Swampman]

If you're neck sizing, the best gauge is going to be your chamber.

Gauges are generally designed to ensure that a case/round will fit in any factory chamber. The whole point of neck sizing is that the cases are fitted to YOUR rifle.

Eventually your cases are going to need a little shoulder bump or you're gonna need extra effort on the bolt handle to chamber rounds.

 

[Atavar]

If you are on a tiny budget go with a Harbor Freight caliper and use your barrel for the case gauge. The cheap harbor freight calipers are perfectly adequate for checking oal and neck/crimp diameters. Plunk test in the actual barrel is the real test.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I like and use the L.E. Wilson gauges. They are accurate for me. I think they are better than the Lyman gauges but Lyman are also good and both go for a similar price.

 

[twarr1]

My suggestion would be to plunk test with your rifle chamber and use the $ to get a FL die.