Pin Gage Recommendations

[Rock Dawg]

Hello All
I own several revolvers in .357 magnum, .44 special, and .44 magnum and having mixed accuracy results with cast bullets, have decided to order ranges of pin gage sizes to allow me to measure chamber throats. Rather than order an entire set of gages and paying for a bunch I'd probably never use, I'm thinking of ordering a range of sizes that I would need for the calibers mentioned above. Can anyone provide a recommendation of the ranges I should get for the .357 and .44, and perhaps a recommendation as where the best place to get them would be? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Gene

 

[armorer951]

pin gauges

I purchased several from Travers Tool (travers.com). They sell a Vermont brand with what's called "Black Guard" nitride finish. It's supposed to inhibit oxidation. They seem high quality and were affordable.

Metalworking Tools - Drills, End Mills, Taps, Machines, Measuring Tools, Abrasives, Power Tools and MRO Supplies | Travers Tool

 

[H Richard]

McMaster Carr has quite a selection including some sets.

 

[tomcatt51]

FWIW I use a telescoping gauge and a vernier mic for 38/357, 44, 45 etc throats. Pins are fine but don't show out-of-round (pretty common) like you can find with a telescoping gauge and mic. Pin gauges are certainly easier...

As for range, are you wanting to optimize for lead, jacketed, or both? For .357 you probably only need go no-go capability for .357" and .358". for .44 .429" and .430". For .45 .451" and .452". Depends how curious you are.

Then you get into guns like 25-2s or 25-5s where you can have throats that measure .454 to .456. Obviously you can't cut those smaller but it can be nice to know... Rugers are notoriously undersize (with a barrel constriction thrown in) but I've sent them back because of oversize throats, and got back cylinders with the usual undersize throats. At least those could be reamed to size.

If you're curious that's where a set of pin gauges or telescoping gauges and a mic come in handy.

 

[Rock Dawg]

Thanks for the responses guys. My goal is to optimize for cast bullets with the possible exception of one .357 which I'll probably shoot mostly jacketed from. I do have an accurate digital outside micrometer and picked up some soft lead muzzleloader balls of different diameters to slug the barrels and throats. So maybe I'll put off the pin gage hunt for now until I see what I come up with.

Gene

 

[Nick B]

With those pin gauges being made in China how do you know they are accurate ?

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Pin gage set

If you do decide you're going to get some pin gages buy the whole set, .250 - .500". I went thru the same indecision & finally went with the whole kit & I'm glad I did. You'll find more uses that you think for them & having the set allows for more options.

You can never have enough tools.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/114220-plug-gauges-you-can-afford.html#post137443537

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[dangt]

Chinese sets I own are accurate and are not out-of-round.........all you have to do is measure with an accurate mic to find that out. Most of the personally owned pin gauge sets used by machinists at my former workplace were the Chinese variety. I bought my own from either MSC or from Enco as did other machinists I worked with. The shop itself used more expensive sets but I don't know if they were imported or Am. made.

It is always good to grab a mic and measure the individual pin that's to be used. On smaller pins, the numbers can be hard to read.

Dan

 

[Rock Dawg]

Thanks for the additional feedback guys. I do appreciate it and as one wise man who replied said "you can never have too many tools".

Gene

 

[Frank46]

Enco is where I got the .250-.500 set. But also have small hole gages along with the telescoping ones. For firearms I find the pin gages faster. Frank

 

[stu1ritter]

Individual pin gages from Vermont gage are available on Amazon and in the sizes we use, usually around $2.50 each. Just bracket the ideal size a few up and a few down.
Only exception I found to that was my S&W 1917 but I knew, when I ordered gages that I should go larger as they tend to run large.

 

[ironhead7544]

I would say get the whole set as it will probably be cheaper than buying the pieces singly.

I use the slugs from Lead Bullet Technologies. Easiest way to go. No need to beat them down the bore. Well worth the money.

 

[PERAZZI]

Pin gages are what you need. bore gages will only show you the distance from opposing points. A sunnen 3 PT gage would be useful. If your worried about roundness, chuck it in a mill and tram the holes.

We can manufacture precision ball gages traceable to NIST standards.Available in .0001 increments.

Precision Balls or welded ball and stem assemblies manufacturer