Rifle reloading question...case length/headspace gauge

[mtenenhaus]

Hi, trying to be judicious in my purchases and want to learn to do this well, safely and accurately.

Do you measure each fired case with a dial caliper or are you using a case length gauge like the Sheridan or Lyman gauge.

What's most accurate and preferred in your experience?

I'm loading predominantly .308 Winchester for longer range shooting. In the near future i will probably start reloading .222 Remington and .223.

thanks

[Dark Hunt]

I just use a dial caliper.

It really doesn't matter if the reading is accurate to half a thou, as long as it's below the maximum length and consistent.

[M1NM]

Been loading since 1968. Never have used/had a case gauge. You'll find from experience what cases need to be trimmed. 30-06/308 rarely. 30-30 after nearly every reload. Cheap Harbor Freight dial caliper is fine. Once your dies are set you're done. The biggest thing that a new reloader needs to develop is a consistant and full stroke on the handle each time.

[Divernhunter]

I do not use a case gauge and have been reloading since the 1960's with very safe accurate ammo.
I also do not measure each round. Once my dies are set I do not need to. I do measure 1 or 2 when I start loading a new batch usually. I just use a HF electronic dial caliper and it is fine.

[Paseclipse]

Measure case length with a caliper. To measure head space (for an actual number) RCBS Precision Mic's work well- https://www.midwayusa.com/product/57...308-winchester

Cases gages are good for a quick check for headspace and trim length. I like to use them when I'm sizing a few hundred cases. A good one is the Wilson Case Length Headspace Gauge- https://www.midwayusa.com/product/88...308-winchester

[baih777]

Measure with calipers after F/L resizing. I use the HF black case digital calipers. I use a dillon case guage to make sure the headspace is correct.

[bazineta]

To measure length for trimming, a dial caliper. However, where you tend to end up is either just locking the caliper at whatever length you determine to be too long and ensuring that they all go through it, trimming those that don't, or just hitting all of them with the trimmer, depending on how fast you can trim.

For a final sanity check, the drop-in LE Wilson gages are fast, easy, and a good way to ensure you didn’t have a case sneak through the sizing step when your Lovely Wife interrupted you with some critical task. It happens; I think they lie in wait, really.

For headspace, there are several nice solutions, though as mentioned above, once it's set up, it's set up and you don't tend to check it much if at all thereafter. These solutions include the RCBS Precision Mic, the Hornady accessory for calipers, that same LE Wilson drop-in gage, and the Redding Instant Indicator die. All of these work. If you have the option, IMO the Redding unit is the one to have.

[tonyjr]

Being cheap , I have Wilson , Sheridan , Lyman gauge and a lee hand loader [ they are adjustable ] for every caliber I reload .
Being cheap , I get a lot of range brass they needs to be checked .
With 6 nephews and 2 nieces that reload here - guess who checks for cracks , split , loose primers and which ones need trimming ?

[OpenSightsOnly]

Hi, trying to be judicious in my purchases and want to learn to do this well, safely and accurately.

Do you measure each fired case with a dial caliper or are you using a case length gauge like the Sheridan or Lyman gauge.

What's most accurate and preferred in your experience?

I'm loading predominantly .308 Winchester for longer range shooting. In the near future i will probably start reloading .222 Remington and .223.

thanks

You want to go cheap? Y or N?

For .308 or 30-06, use a deprimed 9mm brass with your caliper.

That will touch the shoulder/datum line area. So now, you can get a comparative case length (fired or sized) for cartridge headspace purposes.

[baih777]

Being cheap , I have Wilson , Sheridan , Lyman gauge and a lee hand loader [ they are adjustable ] for every caliber I reload .
Being cheap , I get a lot of range brass they needs to be checked .
With 6 nephews and 2 nieces that reload here - guess who checks for cracks , split , loose primers and which ones need trimming ?

2 nieces ?

[tonyjr]

baih777
Who ever brings the brass to me . If not sorted / checked , as they do that , I or someone else starts decapping . Seldom does one go by themselves . The guns get cleaned then also .
The girls just shoot pistols , after decapping they go into the tumbler , then get reprimed and put in boxes . A day or 2 later they get loaded .
They all know a meal is a phone call away - maybe just , tostadas , tacos , hot dogs or just rice and beans .
4 of them went camping this weekend , so tomorrow they will show up with MT cases , stomachs and no powder / primers . When they go to range , they bring back either powder or a brick of primers .

[Redemption]

I use calipers to measure the length on the brass. I use both dial and electronic. both have served me well and the which depends on my mood on a given day.

[JagerDog]

OP asked about headspace, not trim length.

Without some additional tool (an inverted pistol case works) how you gonna measure headspace/shoulder bump with just calipers?

A tool like a Wilson headspace gauge will "measure" several aspects of case dimension at once. Note that this will be to a SAAMI spec and not your rifle.

[phdo]

I have one of these. I rarely use it. It's a very good tool to have. I just don't bother because it's an extra step that I need to do in the process. I have the Hornady headspace gauge. I just measure a couple as I reload to make sure everything is good. When I finish the batch I measure about 10 random rounds. As long as it's good to go then I'm happy.

http://www.redding-reloading.com/online-catalog/37-instant-indicator-headspace-and-bullet-comparator

[mtenenhaus]

read about the redding tool, sounded good....unfortunately they say its not compatible with my loader (forster co-ax). but thanks, it was interesting to read