Quality Calipers for Reloading?

[kentuckyMarksman]

I find myself in need of some new calipers. I've been using a cheap $20 digital caliper from the auto parts store for several years. I know it's not the most exact, or repeatable set of calipers, but it got me by. Anyway, it crapped out on me the other day, and now I need to replace it.

Do you use a digital caliper, or a dial caliper? What calipers would you recommend?

 

[Driftr76]

500-196-30 Digital Caliper by Mitutoyo AOS Absolute 0-6" (0-150mm)

Mitutoyo's 500-196-30 Absolute Digimatic Caliper has AOS technology (advanced onsite sensor) for resistance to harsh conditions. It's the world's best-selling caliper. Measuring Range of 0 to 6

www.msi-viking.com

 

[Steel head]

500-196-30 Digital Caliper by Mitutoyo AOS Absolute 0-6" (0-150mm)

Mitutoyo's 500-196-30 Absolute Digimatic Caliper has AOS technology (advanced onsite sensor) for resistance to harsh conditions. It's the world's best-selling caliper. Measuring Range of 0 to 6

www.msi-viking.com

I use them at work and for reloading.
Excellent option.

 

[rulellis]

+1 on Mitutoyo.

 

[Alabusa]

I use both dial and digital. Dial for checking o/a length and digital along with hornady comparators for ogive and shoulder measurements.

Any of the big 3 brands, Starrett, Mitutoyo and Brown&Sharpe, are good to go. I prefer Brown&Sharpe myself.

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

Ordered the Mitutoyo calipers. Thanks for the input!

 

[chevy_man]

All the cheap ones work, just need to take care that they don't get temp swings during use, check zero often, and they eat batteries turned off.
A $10 pair is the same as a $40 pair.



Now, the big 3 will get you stability across temp changes, very rarely will the zero "float", and they actually turn off.

Mittutoyo, Starett, or Brown & Sharpe are all the go-to for precision measuring equipment when you don't want to question the tool.

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

I was definitely experiencing some zero float. That got annoying... I always stored the batteries out of the calipers, so doing that, it didn't eat batteries.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Not a caliper but just had to post my "Bargain"
A set of four micrometers, $52 Shipped
All four seem to use the same 1/10th mic head.
Frames seem to be straight and square but I don't have the flats to prove that.
Only have a few gage blocks and a pin gage set but they seem to be pretty good.
Obviously compare to my calipers and a name brand 0 to 1 micrometer.
Look at the individual prices on the receipt.

 

[Sieg]

Ordered the Mitutoyo calipers. Thanks for the input!

Be careful, there's a good number of counterfeit Mitutoyo's being sold.

Check out this Amazon review of Mitutoyo 500-196-30 Advanced Onsite Sensor (AOS) Absolute Scale Digital Caliper, 0 to 6"/0 to 150mm Measuring Range, 0.0005"/0.01mm Resolution, LCD

How to tell if your calipers are genuine / Buy from Amazon.com LLC

www.amazon.com

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

Be careful, there's a good number of counterfeit Mitutoyo's being sold.

Check out this Amazon review of Mitutoyo 500-196-30 Advanced Onsite Sensor (AOS) Absolute Scale Digital Caliper, 0 to 6"/0 to 150mm Measuring Range, 0.0005"/0.01mm Resolution, LCD

How to tell if your calipers are genuine / Buy from Amazon.com LLC

www.amazon.com

Thanks for the info! I ordered mine from Global Test Supply. I should receive them today. I'll have to check them out.