Case Length/Headspace Gauge vs Ammo Checker

[PepNYC]

So after my discussion with some of you yesterday regarding case length gauges, as I was digging around I came across those Lyman aluminum ammo checkers. I've read some people say they're only really useful for pistol rounds and some that swear by them for both pistol and rifle. I load 9mm and 223. From what I understand the Case length/headspace gauges are MAX SAMMI specs while the ammo checkers are MIN SAMMI specs. What's your thoughts on these? Necessary? Waste of money?

https://www.brownells.com/reloading.../ammo-checkers-single-caliber-prod132833.aspx

 

[Toprudder]

So after my discussion with some of you yesterday regarding case length gauges, as I was digging around I came across those Lyman aluminum ammo checkers. I've read some people say they're only really useful for pistol rounds and some that swear by them for both pistol and rifle. I load 9mm and 223. From what I understand the Case length/headspace gauges are MAX SAMMI specs while the ammo checkers are MIN SAMMI specs. What's your thoughts on these? Necessary? Waste of money?

https://www.brownells.com/reloading.../ammo-checkers-single-caliber-prod132833.aspx

The case length/headspace gauges do not check for SAAMI diameters, they only check for exactly what they state - case length and headspace. You can take a fired round, that has been fire formed to the chamber, and insert it to check for the case growing in length, as a way to determine headspace in that gun. This will help when determining how much to bump the shoulders for a given gun. They can't be used to guarantee a round will fit in the chamber of any particular gun.

The ammo checkers should be reamed to the SAAMI minimum chamber dimensions. Most barrels are reamed a little larger than minimum.

 

[PepNYC]

The case length/headspace gauges do not check for SAAMI diameters, they only check for exactly what they state - case length and headspace. You can take a fired round, that has been fire formed to the chamber, and insert it to check for the case growing in length, as a way to determine headspace in that gun. This will help when determining how much to bump the shoulders for a given gun. They can't be used to guarantee a round will fit in the chamber of any particular gun.

The ammo checkers should be reamed to the SAAMI minimum chamber dimensions. Most barrels are reamed a little larger than minimum.

So in your opinion would the ammo checkers be a necessary tool to have on the bench? Seems like a good idea if you don't want to sit there with all of your barrels doing plunk tests on each one.

 

[Toprudder]

So in your opinion would the ammo checkers be a necessary tool to have on the bench? Seems like a good idea if you don't want to sit there with all of your barrels doing plunk tests on each one.

Yes, I think it is a good idea, if you understand the limitations. For instance, you can't use one as a substitute for the "plunk test". The ammo checker does not replicate the chamber ahead of the case mouth (freebore, leade) but once you have used the plunk test to determine the proper seating depth for that bullet profile, using the barrel of the gun, and you maintain that depth during the loading process, then the ammo checker will make sure there are no case bulges or anomalies that will keep the round from chambering. That is what I do.

 

[PepNYC]

Yes, I think it is a good idea, if you understand the limitations. For instance, you can't use one as a substitute for the "plunk test". The ammo checker does not replicate the chamber ahead of the case mouth (freebore, leade) but once you have used the plunk test to determine the proper seating depth for that bullet profile, using the barrel of the gun, and you maintain that depth during the loading process, then the ammo checker will make sure there are no case bulges or anomalies that will keep the round from chambering. That is what I do.

So even with a case length/headspace gauge and the ammo checker you still need to do a plunk test?

 

[Catfish]

When you're setting up your dies or when you change bullets or when you get a new gun in the same caliber. not as an every-single-round check.

 

[PepNYC]

LE Wilson has a Max Pistol Gauge, which I didn't know and I bought the case length gauge. It's pretty useless IMO. I can just use my calipers for that. I couldn't find the LE Wilson Pistol Max Gauge at the time so I ended up getting the Lyman Pistol max gauge. I wanted to check everything at once. Not just the brass length. I have the LE Wilson 223 Length/Headspace gauge. I guess I'll invest in the ammo checkers.

All of these checks are primarily for safety. I'm not shooting match grade ammo. Obviously I'd like them to be as accurate as possible but I'm not and don't plan to shoot quarter size groups at 500 yards.

I want to be able to go to the range with my kids and not worry that I'll be putting their safety in jeopardy by blowing up a barrel and bringing fingers to the hospital in my range bag because of my negligence.

 

[AR10ShooterinNC]

If your going to reload a lot of pistol ammo, a HUNDO gauge is worth every penny.

https://benstoegerproshop.com/reloading/case-gauges/

 

[Toprudder]

So even with a case length/headspace gauge and the ammo checker you still need to do a plunk test?

When you're setting up your dies or when you change bullets or when you get a new gun in the same caliber. not as an every-single-round check.

^^^^^ What he said. Plunk test just to determine proper seating depth for a given bullet profile. I do this whenever I add a new bullet to my inventory, or when I buy a new gun in that caliber. After a while, you know which gun has a tighter chamber, and just verify with that one. I generally load handgun ammo so it will function in all of my guns in that caliber. For precision rifle, though, you may want to make special loads for each gun.

 

[jimmyjames8]

Hornady Lock-N-Load cartridge gauges are supposed to be SAAMI spec. I have one for 308. Current Federal Gold Medal Match ammo will plunk right in. The same ammo will not always chamber in my match chamber guns (tighter than SAAMI spec) and in my factory stock guns. Go figure. Turns out the case mouths are not deburred completely or at all. Same for FGMM packaged reloading brass in 308. Thanks Federal!