Caliper Quality

[frdman]

When it comes to reloading, what quality of caliper should I be aiming for?
I'd like to get into benchrest shooting/reloading this year and would like to get some advice from you guys.

Can I get away with a $9.99 (with coupon) digital caliper from Harbor Freight Tools like this one: http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-...per-47257.html

Or should I be looking at a $147 Starett caliper like this one: http://www.starrett.com/metrology/pr...l?k=799A-6/150

Your thoughts are much appreciated.

[RugerNo1]

Starrett has been making calipers for a very long time and have a very good reputation for reliability, repeatability, and quality. I am of the belief that you get what you pay for. I have a 6 inch and 18 inch Starrett and use them both a lot.

[Bill Steele]

Starrett does make superb calipers, but there is no way you need that kind of quality or spend that kind of money.

Having said that, I am not a fan of Harbor Freight. You can find a very high quality dial caliper for under $30 from any number of reloading supplier, like this one: http://www.grafs.com/catalog/product.../5376/inline/1

[Pete1979]

As long as you get one that repeats, it will work just fine.

[Fyathyrio]

One's a Dillon for $40, one's Harbor Freight for $15...can you tell the difference without reading the photo link code?





Repeatability is the most important thing, if you can afford he Starrett, then go for it.

[frdman]

Fyathyrio, I can't tell the difference from just the photos.

[morrow]

For reloading, any cheap caliper will work just fine.
High end ones like Starett, Brown & Sharpe, and Mitutoyo are complete overkill for reloading.

[Rust]

Buying a high end caliper for reloading may be overkill, but owning a medium to high quality caliper is worth the price. Starett, Brown & Sharpe, and Mitutoyo are where I would be looking. Digital is nice and easy, but dial will keep your cost down and with a good brand will provide excellent repeatability. I think it's one of those tools where when you need to measure something and act off of that measurement, it's worth the little bit more money to know that the number you're reading is the correct number. like measuring a hole, or cutting a pin, or fitting rails or something like that where you want to know you're not about to stuff an oversize bit in and ream a hole out or take one pass of the file to many and ruin the fit of something you care about.

[Whiterabbit]

I thought I had the pic all figured out, but BOTH the inch/mm buttons are Dillon blue..... so no indicator found.

IMO, for all the usefulness of a caliper for rinka-dinka reloading, you could get something pretty darn cheap. I mean really, really darn cheap and be just fine.

Even for accurate shooting to a couple hundred yards, no problem.

Dunno yet about shooting out to 1000. Ask me when I get there.

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FYI my calipers did not cost an arm and a leg, and when I'm building something on the mill or lathe, they do not leave me with the greatest confidence on my parts, but it's pretty reasonable. They get me to where I'm going, like driving an integra.

For reloading? They are WAY, WAY overkill for my needs.

[john16443]

I've used the Harbor Freight digitals for over a year, not had any issues. As noted in Fyathyrio's post with photos above, The Dillon (and others!) are the same as those sold by HF. On a whim, I purchased this dial caliper on fleabay a couple weeks ago for $18.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/0-6-STAINLESS-4-WAY-DIAL-CALIPER-001-SHOCK-PROOF-/300339619796?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45eda2e7d4

It has become my default reloading measurement device, replacing a good working Harbor Freight unit that was validated against a very expensive Mitutoyo unit at work (Aerospace) on the first of every month.

[wash]

I got two big display digital calipers from MSC for $50.00. They are SPI brand which is Chinese but so far they have been accurate, repeatable and the I.D. jaw measurements match the O.D. jaw measurements by less than 0.001".

You can't ask for much more in a caliper unless you want features like carbide jaws or coolant-proof construction.

Just don't drop them and check them occasionally for accuracy and repeatability to make sure they remain good.

I'm sure not all Chinese digital calipers are as good as that but some are plenty good.

[cali-man]

I started with a harbor freight and then found a digital Mitutoyo for under 40 bucks on Ebay. Luckily nobody really bid against me.

[RazzB7]

My dad gave me a quote early in life regarding tools: "Buy the best and you'll only cry once."

Hasn't failed me yet.

[kmca]

I have a few digital calipers, but still prefer the dial type. For reloading, I use digital micrometers mounted in a stand. That type of accuracy isn't needed, but i find it much easier/faster to use.

[Dark Mod]

I have a digital and a dial caliper, the dial one is more acurate, but thats not to say the digital one wont get the job done. If i were into benchrest shooting i would definatley get a quality caliper