Cartridge Case Gauges-who uses them?

[fredj338]

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??

I never used one, not in 35yrs. Then bought a 223 gage to help setup my dies for the ar. Then bought one in 45acp to check my match ammo before a major competition. It does help you find the oddball round that has a minor flaw that my not be readily visible.
Too many noob reloaders fail to understand how a case gage works & think if it fits the gage, it will fit thir gun. That is just flawed thinking. A mass produced gage only tells part of the story. So always setup your dies using your bbl as the final measuring tool.

 

[gregintenn]

I never found a use for one. Size your brass according to the directions that come with your sizing die, and your ammo should be within spec.

 

[overthere]

I have one for 223 but I only use it for plinking (non-accuracy) loads, to validate case length.

The one I have is a Wilson gage and unfortunately it does not reject fire formed cases that are larger than the minimum saami specs. If it did it would be mad re useful. As it is I can only use it to validate case length and to identify gravely deformed cases.

 

[Rule3]

For the OP. are you talking about CASE gauges or CARTRIDGE gauges

For handguns IMHO yes they are a waste. Especially for straight walled cases (yes the 9 is tapered) but for revolvers or 45 ACP, You full size them and they work or don't. The case may work in the gauge but not your barrel

For rifle like 223 they will help determine shoulder set back, and are useful after full length sizing, trimming to determine if you sizing die is set correctly. Once that is set then there is no need to check every piece of brass.

L. E. WILSON Inc.

 

[MyDads38]

For the OP. are you talking about CASE gauges or CARTRIDGE gauges

For handguns IMHO yes they are a waste. Especially for straight walled cases (yes the 9 is tapered) but for revolvers or 45 ACP, You full size them and they work or don't. The case may work in the gauge but not your barrel

For rifle like 223 they will help determine shoulder set back, and are useful after full length sizing, trimming to determine if you sizing die is set correctly. Once that is set then there is no need to check every piece of brass.

L. E. WILSON Inc.

Rule3, I'm talking about the Lyman Max Cartridge Gauge in 9mm and 45acp. I've reloaded for several years, for several different rifle and handgun calibers. I pay very close attention to my tolerances/C.O.L., etc. I had been using my Ruger P89DC barrel and SR1911 barrel for "plunk" tests. All has been fine-no issues or problems what so ever. For some reason I just wanted to know/make sure that I was within all tolerances/specs and if the gauge showed I was good, then I wouldn't have to break my guns down to do random sampling.
Even though I've had no problems/issues, doesn't mean gremlins can't come along and things go awry!

 

[blujax01]

I use them. Just because a round will "plunk" in my M&P barrel does not mean it will "plunk" in my Colt.

Now I suppose I could make up 45 ACP for each pistol and keep it separate and maybe some of you guys do just that.

A tip O' The Hat if you do.

But if a round fits in a 45 ACP max cartridge gauge, it will fit in any production 45 ACP handgun.

And I use it to check 1 in 100, when taking a break to change primer tubes. This is also the time I check charge weight and Minimum OAL.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I use one for 45 ACP. Although most of my loads that won't pass the gauge will load just fine in my 1911, a few won't. The one's that don't pass the test get loaded into moon clips and run through my 625. You might say it's my garbage gun.

 

[SPDGG]

fwiw:

Like most, A lot of the brass I use is from various sources.
I do my thing and load them up, but check them to make sure they are good to go.
A quick process & another bump in knowing my reloads are GTG for me.

* Value the time I spend shooting as it gets harder to get away for a few these days.
Taking a course, comp., etc. = Don't want anything impacting my shooting, rather focus on shooting then fixing ____/____.

I use 50 round trays for 9mm & 45ACP.
- One round at a time in my barrel(s) can get exhausting.

 

[WR Moore]

I use them, but I have to admit I don't have them for every caliber. I'm working on that.

The idea is that the cartridge gauge is cut to the SAAMI dimensions for the ammunition. Your chamber is cut (we hope) within the SAAMI chamber dimensions. These are two entirely different sets of dimensional specifications. You can have reloads that "plunk" into your pistol barrel that may not fit in another of the same caliber. They can also measure case head expansion (that will be lower than your sizing die will reach-can we say "Glock Bulge"?) that may or may not show up as an issue in your particular brand of pistol/barrel.

They are really, really handy on 9mm where the case is tapered.

"I never found a use for one. Size your brass according to the directions that come with your sizing die, and your ammo should be within spec."

Yeah, it should be, but that's not necessarily always true. Tolerance stack on dies, shell holders and press parts can make that a real **** shoot. This is particularly true with 9mm and any other tapered case. [I had a late buddy who followed manufacturers directions on sizing die setup and every 9mm he sized was a minature belted magnum case due to excessive sizing.] I've got a box of oversize 9mm brass that's reserved for my pistols with generous chambers due to case head expansion. I keep it separate and frequently use it at matches where ejected brass becomes range property.

 

[TexasRider]

Like many here, I have them in all calibers I load. I don't always use them in 45 or 38, but I do have them . And at times I will just have a case gauge there and take a case from time to time and just confirm that what I know is happening is continuing correctly . I would hate to load 500 and then discover that there was a problem developing that I could have caught .

 

[fredj338]

I use them. Just because a round will "plunk" in my M&P barrel does not mean it will "plunk" in my Colt.

Now I suppose I could make up 45 ACP for each pistol and keep it separate and maybe some of you guys do just that.

A tip O' The Hat if you do.

But if a round fits in a 45 ACP max cartridge gauge, it will fit in any production 45 ACP handgun.

And I use it to check 1 in 100, when taking a break to change primer tubes. This is also the time I check charge weight and Minimum OAL.

647d1.jpg[/IMG]

Just not true. Again, mass produced Gage's do NOT give you a valid OAL, no rifling . Since oal is ALWAYS gun & bullet specific, no gage can replicate a random bbl.
Truncated cone, round nose, swc, all will fit bbls diff, saami max is of little help.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I use them.

If anything seems odd I just drop them in the check gauge and see if they fit. If so move on, if not tear it down and do it over.

 

[KnightTime]

I have gauges for most handgun calibers, but straight walled brass seldom if ever gives me a problem. Most if not all of my gauge use is on 9mm Luger, a tapered cartridge. As previously mentioned ... barrels vary widely so a gauge is useful if you want a round that work in most any make and model firearm.

 

[SMSgt]

Never used one. If it loads, feeds, and fires (and ejects as the case ma be) I'm good to go. My .30-06 would not fit a case gage for loaded cartridges, too long. But they work well in MY rifle.

 

[Jellybean]

No, I have no use for them. I don't load to SAAMI specifications.