Cartridge Case Gauges-who uses them?

[MyDads38]

In all honesty, in all my years of reloading, I've never used them. I just purchased 2 of the Lyman models-one for 9mm and one for 45acp. Until now, I used the "plunk" test-using the barrels of my pistols as gauges. There have been no problems or issues; but I wondered just how close/good my reloads were when placed into the gauges. Well, no surprises here; everything was good to go.

So, did I just spend $35 + change for nothing? No, I don't think so. This will give me a quick & easy way to tell at a glance if anything is amiss; without having to disassemble my guns and have the barrels at my bench. I'm also going to order one for my 223 reloads-again, no problems or issues, but an easier way to check during the reloading operations.

I was just curious how many others out there use/have used this type of gauge?

 

[luv2shoot]

I used one when I was reloading for 223 but never with my handgun loads I load for 9mm, 38,357,40, 45acp. Also don't use
one for my 30-06 loads and have never had a problem with any of them.

 

[KLYDE]

I have one for every caliber I load. Many will call them a waste of money. Can you get by without them. Yes. I like having them available. Takes any guess work out of the equation. Especially for rifle calibers.

 

[rwsmith]

For my 30-06

It's difficult to do a plunk test in my bolt rifle so I've got a Wilson gauge. I've had some trouble with some cartridges not chambering and I'd think it better to have a pair of gauges in a go/no go setup rather than a single gauge. I haven't gotten to the bottom of my chambering problems. I trim the case and resize and even full length resize, measure everything with a caliper. Funny, when I used a Lee Hand Loader, I never had any trouble.

 

[OKFC05]

Not knowing which gun my loads will be fired in, I have a SAAMI spec cartridge for each caliber I load. Saves the "I don't know why it won't go into your Glock, it fit the High Power just fine" at the range.
I have solved more than one "mystery problem" for another loader by dropping his cartridge into a gauge.

 

[SW_shooter]

I am just starting and have been thinking about getting some, but...... not to hi-jack but if you set up your dies to seat for an OAL of the required size, isn't a case gauge redundant? Don't get me wrong I want to buy them for the calibers I will load but it just seems like if I hit the OAL it should be a no brainer to fit. What am I missing?

 

[Rule3]

I use them for bottle neck rifle, you pretty much have to so you get the shoulder set correctly. For handguns no.

 

[growr]

I use them for die setup as well testing the rounds....even though they get passed through top quality dies there can still be casings that are out of spec..... (especially when using brass that that was fired in unsupported chambers )...better to find this out at home instead of on the line at a match....

Randy

 

[Neumann]

I use them for .223 and .308 cartridges. They are essential for rimless, bottle-necked cases. The resizing die is set to produce the correct shoulder length, which can only be checked with a gauge (or $$$ optical profiler).

 

[TucsonMTB]

I only hand load for my Garand. It is hard on cases, throwing them every which way, denting and dinging them frequently.

Initially, I thought the gauge would only be useful while setting up dies. However, I don't enjoy surprises at the range. So, after sizing and trimming but before adding any other component, every case goes through a Dillon gauge. Any case sizing flaw the gauge catches results in a discarded case. That does not happen often.

Sometimes, a perfectly sized case will hang up in the gauge because of a burr on the rim. Burrs are easy to remove when you catch them before adding a powder charge and seating a bullet.

Is it worth $35 to avoid feeding issues with live ammo at the range. You bet!

 

[OKFC05]

if you set up your dies to seat for an OAL of the required size, isn't a case gauge redundant?

Beginners tend to rely heavily on OAL, some to the point of obsession, but unless the load data--some of which comes from magazines, amateur experiments, or ???--has been verified with a SAAMI gauge, it may not fit all chambers.
For example, there are loads popular with STI gun competitors that the shoulder of the bullet hits the rifling when loaded into other brands of guns. The truly important figure is NOT the OAL, it is the distance from the headspace datum line to the point on the ogive that intercepts the initial rifling in the barrel. In other words, when is your bullet going to stick in the rifling on a minimum SAAMI chamber.

If you only load for your one gun, you can use your barrel as a gauge, but it is highly unlikely your gun has a minimum SAAMI chamber. I know one fellow who loaded up many thousands of his favorite load, but then bought a pricey competition barrel and found NONE of his reloads would fit.

Another problem that a gauge will catch when the OAL is perfect is loading mistakes like overcrimping and slight residual smileys on the base of the case.

 

[old&slow]

For years I never used them. But with my 625 & 610 every once in a while I would have a moon clip of ammo hang up and mess up a reload in a match. Now I have gauges for 45 acp, 40, 9 mm, .223, 308 , & 30-06.

They just make things easier.

 

[Bkreutz]

I use one of these http://www.benstoegerproshop.com/100-Hole-9mm-Chamber-Checker-Cartridge-Case-Gauge-p/cg9-100.htm Nothing more frustrating than to have a round jam halfway into a chamber (for whatever reason) during a match.

 

[mosquito]

I use them for every caliber that I load (10). I case gauge every round after it is loaded. Regardless of how good your equipment is or how anal you are, there will always be a few rounds that just won't go in the gauge. They are especially useful in finding split cases as well as bulged brass that your sizing die just didn't quite get right. I have a friend who says: if it goes thru the sizing die, it will chamber........NOT TRUE!

G

 

[M&PUSER]

I use them all the time for my 9mm and 45 ACP reloads. I check every cartridge. Saves having to break my pistols down.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I use 'em to gauge factory ammo before loading magazines for the day. One would be surprised at how many out of spec rounds are present in a case of expensive ammunition . . .

 

[RV4driver]

I use them for rifle, but not handgun. Full length resizing all handgun brass has been effective for me, but I like to neck-size only for rifle if possible, and it lets me know that the case will still fit in the chamber.

 

[fredj338]

Gage's are useful, but limited. A gage can only tell you if the round is sized &/or crimped properly. It can NOT tell you if the oal is correct. Final fit of the cartridge to the chamber is unique to each individual gun. Just keep that on mind when using them.

 

[Rule3]

Case gauges or Cartridge gauges?

The best gauge is your barrel.

Why would one use a case gauge for every loaded round?? If you have your dies set correctly and tested some in the gauge this makes no sense to me?

The whole thing in reloading is repeatability. If you say use the same headstamp and a known quality bullet then why bother to check every handgun load??
What purpose does a progressive press serve cranking out tons of ammo if you need to check each one??
You have to trust your dies and set up at some point.
On my CZ pistols if I use LRN 124gr bullets in 9mm than a case gauge serves no purpose as the chamber(lead) is so short they bullets need to be seat much shorter

Maybe Benchrest shooter and rifles need to check everything and wear lucky socks but for general shooting handguns??

 

[bedbugbilly]

I have one for each of the pistol cartridges I reload - 38 spl, .380 and 9mm. I don't really need one for the 38 spl. but I use the others all the time to check. I use "range brass" and it just gives me the knowledge that the 9mm and 380 are within spec. Easy to check as they come off my press.