Is a head space gage needed?

[Innovative]

Different type of Headspace Gauge - for handloaders

thrasherfox .......

Conventional headspace gauges are for installing rifle barrels. It requires a GO gauge and a No/Go gauge to ensure you have acceptable clearance for a particular caliber.

However, if you're not looking to install a barrel ..... and you want your handloads to fit your chamber perfectly, look into the Digital Headspace Gauge. It is designed for the handloader.

The Digital Headspace Gauge does the job of several different tools when handloading. It doesn't require extra bushings or adapters, and it works on ALL different calibers. It works like a comparator and it shows how to set your die height accurately. That affects the size of your handloads, and it improves the life of your brass. It also reduces case run-out and improves accuracy.

[smoothy8500]

+1 on the L.E. Wilson case gage. GeoffLinder explained it perfectly.

[Innovative]

Differences between comparators ...

The Hornady comparator, the RCBS Precision Mic, the Wilson case gauge, and the Digital Headspace Gauge are all comparators. They all measure chamber clearance so you can set the shoulder back accurately on your handloads.

The main difference is that the Digital Headspace Gauge requires no bushings or adapters or special tools, and it works on ALL different calibers. It also provides uniform stem pressure making it easier to get consistent readings, and it can measure bullet jump to the rifling.

[cjskalka]

Are they nice to have, yes. Necessary? Not in my opinion. I've been using the hornady gauge for a while but when I first started reloading I used no such gauges. Just followed the directions included with my resizing die to get the die set up. I would then back it out about half a turn or so, such that a size case would no longer chamber in my rifle. Then I would slowly screw the the die in 1/8 turn steps and resize until I got a case that would chamber easily in my rifle. YMMV

[Fiveohmike]

+1 on the L.E. Wilson case gage. GeoffLinder explained it perfectly.

+2!

[Innovative]

Headspace important? You decide ...

+1 on GeoffLinder. He did explain it very well. Accurate chamber clearance is obtained only by comparing YOUR handloads to YOUR particular chamber. Specific case measurements are useless if you don't ALSO know your chamber size. The handloaders only concern is the difference between them.

It doesn't matter which brand of gauge you use, as long as you know the clearance that your handloads have in your particular chamber, and if you don't measure .... you're guessing. You can (and should) always know the clearance that your handloads have in your chamber.

Handloaders often push the shoulder back way too far. The shoulder of your handloads should be set back no more than -.002" for a perfect fit. Reloaders that run their shellholder into the resizing die are often pushing the shoulder up to .016" too far in some rifle chambers. Those shooters that just resize the neck also need to know "how far" to bump the shoulder for a reliable chamber fit.

Here's why ...

Resizing dies are designed to make handloads fit inside the SMALLEST chamber of a particular caliber. To make things worse, rifle chambers are always made to accommodate the LARGEST factory ammo made anywhere. Machinists call this "tolerance stacking". This means that your handloads usually have quite a loose fit in your chamber.

Here's what happens ....

When a case is fired it stretches to fill the chamber. This repeated stretching thins the brass, and the case eventually cracks just above the web .... headspace separation.

It only takes one headspace separation for most shooters to realize they're doing something wrong, and it's incredably simple to avoid headspace separations. If you're moving the die 1/8th of a turn, you really have no idea what effect you're having on your handloads.

[cowboyup]

Digital headspace guage

Can you post a close up of your tool, please? I looked at the site, and cant clearly see how the datum line is set.

Thanks

[thrasherfox]

Can you post a close up of your tool, please? I looked at the site, and cant clearly see how the datum line is set.

Thanks

I bought one today from the web site.

Once I start reloading and figuring everything out I will report on if I feel it has helped me.

If I feel it is an awesome tool then I will post pics of it.

From my limited knowledge I could see how it could be a useful tool.

of course it also crossed my mind why I couldn't just use my electronic gage.

anyway, hopefully I will have it in a few days and will check it out.

[Innovative]

Close up view

cowboyup ......

How's this?

There's no need to locate the exact datum line, because the shoulder angle is exactly the same on your fired case as it is in your chamber, AND the gauge gets calibrated to one of your fired cases every time it is used.