I am new to this and reading everything I can about reloading. I have spoke to some crusty old men about reloading and I haven't heard much about headspace guages. One of the crusties told me to wick the end of the case with a lighter and chamber the round to create soot on the case and then chamber it. My internal shut off listening switch went off and I didn't hear the rest. Anyway, don't I need a headspace guage to reload safely? I was directed by a guy to purchase RCBS precision mic's for each caliber I intend to reload. They are like 45.00, which isn't much if it keeps my stick from becoming a suicide stick. Whats the story on this headspace guage.
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Headspace Guage?
- Thread starter Kenny Marhoffer
- Start date
Re: Headspace Guage?
Well, I'm a crusty ol' man too, hope you read longer than you listen before shutting off !
Headspace is the space in a rifle's chamber to accept the ammunition and allow the action to close on it. It's great when we get good enough to custom fit our cases to match the headspace and gages are good for that.
Fact is, all you need do for now is use your FL sizer die as the accompanying instructions direct. Used correctly that die assures your resized cases will fit fine for a beginner.
A case gage would likely be more of a confusion factor than a help for now. Eventually - a year or two - you MAY get sufficently advanced to benefit from one of the various gages but at this point, no. I suggest you don't worry about that just yet.
Well, I'm a crusty ol' man too, hope you read longer than you listen before shutting off !
Headspace is the space in a rifle's chamber to accept the ammunition and allow the action to close on it. It's great when we get good enough to custom fit our cases to match the headspace and gages are good for that.
Fact is, all you need do for now is use your FL sizer die as the accompanying instructions direct. Used correctly that die assures your resized cases will fit fine for a beginner.
A case gage would likely be more of a confusion factor than a help for now. Eventually - a year or two - you MAY get sufficently advanced to benefit from one of the various gages but at this point, no. I suggest you don't worry about that just yet.
Re: Headspace Guage?
I answered your question in your response to the other beginner!
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2253004#Post2253004
The case gauge is dead simple to use and understand.
http://tinyurl.com/2dacko6
I answered your question in your response to the other beginner!
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2253004#Post2253004
The case gauge is dead simple to use and understand.
http://tinyurl.com/2dacko6
Re: Headspace Guage?
Get the Hornady Headspace Gauge, its dead simple to use, I also have Wilson HSG's but the Hornady is IMHO is easier to use, decap a piece of fired brass, measure, now FL resize until the case measures .0015 less with the HSG, recheck on 5 more pieces of brass to confirm and if all is good lock the die in place.
Get the Hornady Headspace Gauge, its dead simple to use, I also have Wilson HSG's but the Hornady is IMHO is easier to use, decap a piece of fired brass, measure, now FL resize until the case measures .0015 less with the HSG, recheck on 5 more pieces of brass to confirm and if all is good lock the die in place.
Re: Headspace Guage?
Or just read this and follow the instructions for setting up your sizing die.
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=96660#Post96660
Or just read this and follow the instructions for setting up your sizing die.
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=96660#Post96660
Re: Headspace Guage?
I'd would get a Wilson case length gauge to set up your dies. The factory setup is not always optimal for every rifle. The are very simple to use and instructions are easy to follow.
I'd would get a Wilson case length gauge to set up your dies. The factory setup is not always optimal for every rifle. The are very simple to use and instructions are easy to follow.
Re: Headspace Guage?
Land, forget the Wilson type case gages, they "measure" nothing. They only tell you if you are inside the standard factory dimensions, minimum/maximum. That's only helpful if you want your ammo to interchange with any other rifle every made for that cartridge and I REALLY doubt that's a concern of your's at this time. Just FL size your cases so they fit and function in your rifle and you will be good to go, no gage needed.
Ref, the various case measuring tools like the RCBS Precision Case Mic, Hornady/Stoney Point and Sinclair tools rhat fit on a dial caliper or the excellant Innovative Technoligies Dial Indicator gage, they are all good tools but note I DID NOT say they are complicated, they are not (even I can make 'em work!
). What I DID SAY is they are unneeded for common reloading, especially by a guy just getting his feet wet. Using one now would only serve to make new things more confusing for you than they need to be. Thus I stand by the suggestion that you don't bother with them yet.
IF you have specific problems later, come back and post a new question. And good luck!
Land, forget the Wilson type case gages, they "measure" nothing. They only tell you if you are inside the standard factory dimensions, minimum/maximum. That's only helpful if you want your ammo to interchange with any other rifle every made for that cartridge and I REALLY doubt that's a concern of your's at this time. Just FL size your cases so they fit and function in your rifle and you will be good to go, no gage needed.
Ref, the various case measuring tools like the RCBS Precision Case Mic, Hornady/Stoney Point and Sinclair tools rhat fit on a dial caliper or the excellant Innovative Technoligies Dial Indicator gage, they are all good tools but note I DID NOT say they are complicated, they are not (even I can make 'em work!
IF you have specific problems later, come back and post a new question. And good luck!
Re: Headspace Guage?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fuzzball</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Land, forget the Wilson type case gages, they "measure" nothing. They only tell you if you are inside the standard factory dimensions, minimum/maximum. That's only helpful if you want your ammo to interchange with any other rifle every made for that cartridge and I REALLY doubt that's a concern of your's at this time. Just FL size your cases so they fit and function in your rifle and you will be good to go, no gage needed.
Ref, the various case measuring tools like the RCBS Precision Case Mic, Hornady/Stoney Point and Sinclair tools rhat fit on a dial caliper or the excellant Innovative Technoligies Dial Indicator gage, they are all good tools but note I DID NOT say they are complicated, they are not (even I can make 'em work!
). What I DID SAY is they are unneeded for common reloading, especially by a guy just getting his feet wet. Using one now would only serve to make new things more confusing for you than they need to be. Thus I stand by the suggestion that you don't bother with them yet.
IF you have specific problems later, come back and post a new question. And good luck! </div></div>
Fuzzball why the hate for a $17.00 gauge! Did L.E. Wilson run over your dog?
Rookies have been known to oversize their cases, or insufficiently resize them. Hell, experienced reloaders sometimes do this. The gauge is helpful in avoiding both.
And some of us have multiple arms in the same caliber.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fuzzball</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Land, forget the Wilson type case gages, they "measure" nothing. They only tell you if you are inside the standard factory dimensions, minimum/maximum. That's only helpful if you want your ammo to interchange with any other rifle every made for that cartridge and I REALLY doubt that's a concern of your's at this time. Just FL size your cases so they fit and function in your rifle and you will be good to go, no gage needed.
Ref, the various case measuring tools like the RCBS Precision Case Mic, Hornady/Stoney Point and Sinclair tools rhat fit on a dial caliper or the excellant Innovative Technoligies Dial Indicator gage, they are all good tools but note I DID NOT say they are complicated, they are not (even I can make 'em work!
IF you have specific problems later, come back and post a new question. And good luck! </div></div>
Fuzzball why the hate for a $17.00 gauge! Did L.E. Wilson run over your dog?
Rookies have been known to oversize their cases, or insufficiently resize them. Hell, experienced reloaders sometimes do this. The gauge is helpful in avoiding both.
And some of us have multiple arms in the same caliber.
Re: Headspace Guage?
"Fuzzball why the hate for a $17.00 gauge! Did L.E. Wilson run over your dog?"
"Hate" the Wisons? NOT SO! I have five of the things myself (two rifle, three handgun). Like 'em, wish I had more. I use them from time to time for what they are made for but I make MY ammo to fit MY chamber, not everyone else's. The point is, we should use the right tool for the job we're doing.
Land is going to be loading for himself and gives no indication of having multipule weapons in the same cartridge so I doubt he does. It is to him I post, not the world. You got a wholly different situation so your answer would be different. Maybe.
Eventually Land will probably want/need a real caee measuring tool. But the Wilson case gage isn't it, all it is is a "go-no go" gage for SAAMI min/max dimenstions. The others I mentioned allow us to do case measurements in thousants, not just see if it fits between two steps.
"Fuzzball why the hate for a $17.00 gauge! Did L.E. Wilson run over your dog?"
"Hate" the Wisons? NOT SO! I have five of the things myself (two rifle, three handgun). Like 'em, wish I had more. I use them from time to time for what they are made for but I make MY ammo to fit MY chamber, not everyone else's. The point is, we should use the right tool for the job we're doing.
Land is going to be loading for himself and gives no indication of having multipule weapons in the same cartridge so I doubt he does. It is to him I post, not the world. You got a wholly different situation so your answer would be different. Maybe.
Eventually Land will probably want/need a real caee measuring tool. But the Wilson case gage isn't it, all it is is a "go-no go" gage for SAAMI min/max dimenstions. The others I mentioned allow us to do case measurements in thousants, not just see if it fits between two steps.
Re: Headspace Guage?
Thanks for the info form everyone on this post. I first want to make rounds for my rifle that will safely come out the business side. My goal after learning some technique is to edit my case build,powder,bullet,primer to match my rifle (Only one is .308 that I am worried about) to get maximim performace. Its probably nothing special to you guys but, to me the rifle so far is a dream. Savage Model 10PC, I love it so Pls don't dis it. After I get things bolted down and start with basic loads that operate correctly and safely I will post some more questions about how to get the cartridge to fit my gun specifically , the jump deal that seems like it needs to be dealt with and the neck tension on the bullet to be consistant. I did jump the gun and order a RCBS Gold Medal Die that has the neck bushings. But, I also orderd the regular RCBS Die set FL for .308 to start with. I couldn't find the neck bushings for the die to purchase yet and even if I did I don't know which ones to buy. Anyway, thanks everyone and once I get everything out and stare at it for awhile and start breaking down mentally I will write back. I wish someone lived in Kentucky that knows thier $h1t about all of this so I could learn from them. When I ask people around here they have no Idea what I am talking about when I mention Mics, Guages or even Headspace. All I get it the ol "just put your die in there and press em down son it'll shoot". So, I just quit asking people around home and now have turned to you guys.
Thanks for the info form everyone on this post. I first want to make rounds for my rifle that will safely come out the business side. My goal after learning some technique is to edit my case build,powder,bullet,primer to match my rifle (Only one is .308 that I am worried about) to get maximim performace. Its probably nothing special to you guys but, to me the rifle so far is a dream. Savage Model 10PC, I love it so Pls don't dis it. After I get things bolted down and start with basic loads that operate correctly and safely I will post some more questions about how to get the cartridge to fit my gun specifically , the jump deal that seems like it needs to be dealt with and the neck tension on the bullet to be consistant. I did jump the gun and order a RCBS Gold Medal Die that has the neck bushings. But, I also orderd the regular RCBS Die set FL for .308 to start with. I couldn't find the neck bushings for the die to purchase yet and even if I did I don't know which ones to buy. Anyway, thanks everyone and once I get everything out and stare at it for awhile and start breaking down mentally I will write back. I wish someone lived in Kentucky that knows thier $h1t about all of this so I could learn from them. When I ask people around here they have no Idea what I am talking about when I mention Mics, Guages or even Headspace. All I get it the ol "just put your die in there and press em down son it'll shoot". So, I just quit asking people around home and now have turned to you guys.
Re: Headspace Guage?
"When I ask people around here they have no Idea what I am talking about when I mention Mics, Guages or even Headspace. All I get it the ol "just put your die in there and press em down son it'll shoot"."
They are correct. Relitively few people pay much attention to the precise use of case gages. You have a lot to learn first and when you get groups to a consistant 3/4" inch or so you can start being concerned about the finer points of great accuracy. That's gonna take longer than you may think.
Your rifle is as good as factory rifles get.
"When I ask people around here they have no Idea what I am talking about when I mention Mics, Guages or even Headspace. All I get it the ol "just put your die in there and press em down son it'll shoot"."
They are correct. Relitively few people pay much attention to the precise use of case gages. You have a lot to learn first and when you get groups to a consistant 3/4" inch or so you can start being concerned about the finer points of great accuracy. That's gonna take longer than you may think.
Your rifle is as good as factory rifles get.
