SAC headspace comparators

[Longhorn in Utah]

Quick question, are they worth it?

I am fumbling around being angry with my Hornady comparators thinking the case shoulder can move too much and it takes too long to get a measurement I am confident with.

And yes, I am new to this so without doubt much of this could just be my inexperience and my fault. But I hate wasting time and I know the right tool can save me a shit ton of work and worry.

So, should I just be patient, learn how to reload like a big boy and keep working the Hornady’s, or are the SAC’s actually that much better?

Thanks.

 

[nn8734]

“Worth it” is in the eye of the beholder.

Are you talking about the Hornady OAL gauge used to obtain jam length?

If so, The Hornady tool takes some reps to get used to. I usually take three measurements, considering it good when i get the same result twice.

Or are you talking about this tool?

 

[Doom]

I don’t see any significant difference in the two. Curious on how you believe you get too much headspace?

 

[Dogtown]

I donated my well used set of Hornady and Sinclair bullet/headspace gauges to a friend who was just getting started with reloading, and used that as an excuse to get the SAC gauges. Boy they sure are nice! Are they really better than what I was using before? Maybe, maybe not. I like that there's no guess work with them; they're clearly labeled and the set comes with both a short and long gauge holder (useful for measuring headspace on loaded rounds).

 

[gixxer822]

New tools that are held to better tolerances, better machining, better materials come out all the time. The industry will have you believe everything prior is inferior. Don’t always drink the kool aid. I bought the hornady and then thought the whidden set would magically give me better results……. It didn’t

 

[BiggBeans]

I use the hornady comparators and im making excellent reloads. I havent felt the need to upgrade.

 

[FLIGHT762]

Getting consistent readings is a learning curve. I have the Hornady and the Sinclair headspace (bump gauge)sets. I get good readings with both sets. Practice makes perfect.

With both sets, you need to realize that there are a couple of things that will give you false readings. First is to deprime the cases to be measured. A cratered primer will give you up to a + .005" false reading and two, brass fired in gas guns can get nasty ejector swipes on the bases and will also give false readings.

One thing to remember, the Hornady comparator is a comparator, not a headspace gauge. You will not get SAAMI readings from them. The numbers you read are for setting you F/L die to bump the fired case shoulders to what you want for that Rifle.

Case gauges that are set to SAMMI readings are the Discontinued "Mo" gage, the RCBS Precision Mic and the Whidden case gauges. They are set to Zero @ SAAMI minimum and will give you plus or minus SAAMI minimum for that cartridge. They work very well, but are expensive for one cartridge. I was fortunate to come across a 308& 30/06 RCBS precision Mic at an estate sale for a very good price. I can use the 308 for my 308 & 260 Rem. The 30/06 works for my 06 and 270 rifles.

 

[Longhorn in Utah]

Yep, talking about taking shoulder bump measurements before and after f/l resizing. Just seems like the case shoulders don’t quite sit even in my Hornady’s. Seems like I am working the case in the comparator and calipers till I get the length I am looking for rather than being confident that the measurement is true.
Probably just need to work with them more. God knows I don’t need one more thing to spend money on in my reloading shed. Unless it’s bullets or primers.
Currently riding the learning curve. Enjoying the process though . . . Mostly. Hehe.
Will be taking my first reloads, literally first fucking reloads, out to the desert this weekend.
Thank you guys for the info.

 

[Bacarrat]

I would bet that most people who have the SAC also started off with the Hornady. I like the SAC it's feels more consistent when measuring the headspace of the case and when measuring to the ogive of the bullet. I still use both since I don't have all the inserts for the SAC...yet. Like everything in reloading, or in life in general, you can get away with the cheaper stuff, but it's definitely nice to have some of the premium tools at your disposal.

 

[6.5SH]

You do have to develop a feel for the Hornady but it's not difficult.
For long term measurement reference I do suggest dedicating a set of calipers for it so the adapter stays in the same place.

 

[Huskydriver]

Yep, talking about taking shoulder bump measurements before and after f/l resizing. Just seems like the case shoulders don’t quite sit even in my Hornady’s. Seems like I am working the case in the comparator and calipers till I get the length I am looking for rather than being confident that the measurement is true.
Probably just need to work with them more. God knows I don’t need one more thing to spend money on in my reloading shed. Unless it’s bullets or primers.
Currently riding the learning curve. Enjoying the process though . . . Mostly. Hehe.
Will be taking my first reloads, literally first fucking reloads, out to the desert this weekend.
Thank you guys for the info.

Which part of the desert so I know where to stay away from lol?

 

[John Glidewell]

I think I get more consistent readings with the SAC gages. They don't seem to stick as much. I just believe I can feel a more consistent pressure on the caliper and the numbers are more consistent. I am a numbers guy though. And confidence in all aspects of shooting helps. I like them. But I can still make good ammo with the other ones, I just have more confidence in my numbers using these.

 

[Longhorn in Utah]

Ha, just on the other side of Grantsville. As long the antelope stay out of the way, everyone should come back alive!
I have shot purchased ammo out to a little past 1000, but these are the first reloads. Gonna do the check velocities, pressures, and groups thing. So some short range stuff to start with. Might take it out to 6 or 800 if I feel frisky.
But mainly just want stuff to work this time around.

 

[Huskydriver]

Ha, just on the other side of Grantsville. As long the antelope stay out of the way, everyone should come back alive!
I have shot purchased ammo out to a little past 1000, but these are the first reloads. Gonna do the check velocities, pressures, and groups thing. So some short range stuff to start with. Might take it out to 6 or 800 if I feel frisky.
But mainly just want stuff to work this time around.

If by the other side of grantsville you mean lone rock make sure to wear body armor out there. Everybody shooting their sks and mosin negants at tvs in every direction lol.

 

[Gungnir388]

With using the SAC comparators over the Hornady and Whidden comparators, I take more consistent results. The SAC comparators feel more repeatable for me. This is what works for me. This is my experience.

 

[rustyinbend]

Quick question, are they worth it?

I am fumbling around being angry with my Hornady comparators thinking the case shoulder can move too much and it takes too long to get a measurement I am confident with.

And yes, I am new to this so without doubt much of this could just be my inexperience and my fault. But I hate wasting time and I know the right tool can save me a shit ton of work and worry.

So, should I just be patient, learn how to reload like a big boy and keep working the Hornady’s, or are the SAC’s actually that much better?

Thanks.

Quick answer ... "Yes". Work way better than the Hornady version. What I like best is that the comparator insert "rotates" to give the best possible measurement within the calipers. Everything I've ever bought from SAC was top quality and better than alternatives.

 

[r.tenorio671]

...no experience with SAC products, but... I do use the Hornady tools

... my takeaway from your post is the time it takes to get a measurement you are comfortable with. My suggestion would be to get a second anvil for your calipers. In my experience using a second anvil not only sped the process up, but improved accuracy due the case rim sitting on the large flat surface of the second anvil as opposed to the thin blade. On the blade alone you can have a canted base, off-centered, etc. that will cause variations in the readings, which is why folks rotate/wiggle the casing to settle it in, using a second anvil decreases that need.

 

[BigPrince]

To repeat the above, I started with Hornady, actually got the Forster as well. Both require a feel to get it and can give false readings. All 3 benefit from an anvil flat base and I still use the Hornady one. The SAC are better, no question, give more repeatable measurements without worrying as much about feel. I also like they are stainless, not aluminum. I sold the Forster and the only reason I still have the Hornady is SAC doesn't cover all my caliber(35-45) needs yet.

 

[Longhorn in Utah]

Second anvil is a rock solid idea. I am gonna do that. Probably still get the SAC comparators down the road at some point, but only after I build up my experience a little.
Great advice folks. Thank you!

 

[acudaowner]

if it's worth it to you buy it , if you know another way to do the same thing without buying it use it it's your money and time . best of luck what ever you decide

 

[IHFarmer07]

In all honesty, it’s all reference numbers. As long as your in the ball park most won’t be able to shoot and see a difference on target from different measurements.
As stated before, buy good quality dedicated calipers for headspace and base to ogive measurements and the calipers I’d get right off would be 8” so you have a bit more grip and it will work great for everything long and short action. Buying dedicated 8” calipers was the best decision I made to make the process quicker.

 

[Molon]

Case gauges that are set to SAMMI readings are the Discontinued "Mo" gage, the RCBS Precision Mic and the Whidden case gauges. They are set to Zero @ SAAMI minimum and will give you plus or minus SAAMI minimum for that cartridge.

Not unless you get lucky with the specific gauges that you received. Take a quality headspace gauge and measure it using all three of those gauges. Odds are they will all give slightly different readings.

My preferred instrument for measuring headspace . . .

...

 

[Yondering]

If a guy can’t get a good accurate shoulder bump measurement using a piece of fired pistol brass or tubing, then your problem is technique. Fix that first, and then you’ll realize that improvements beyond that are about convenience, not accuracy. The convenience improvement worth it to one person may not be to the next, and both are right.

 

[Longhorn in Utah]

I got a second anvil and some more experience, and things have worked out nicely. My calipers are good, and yes, good calipers are crucial. Loaded my first rounds thru my 400th round. Had three that wouldn’t feed (learning as I go) and maybe three others that showed some pressure signs. Otherwise, pretty good start.

 

[NORCAL50]

Headspace gauges only for measuring shoulder bump, no the Hornady is just fine. Bullets though? SAC definitely worth it, because you're measuring the bullet at the true o-give.

 

[LEROYRECCE]

Are the 6.5 Berger 156 Elite Hunter and 7mm Berger 180 Hybrid considered straight bullets or solid bullets for the SAC bullet insert?

 

[TheOfficeT-Rex]

Are the 6.5 Berger 156 Elite Hunter and 7mm Berger 180 Hybrid considered straight bullets or solid bullets for the SAC bullet insert?

View attachment 7903606

Neither, buy the normal option with just the caliber listed- no modifier.

Unless you’re seating the 156 really deep in the case. You can always call SAC to ask as well

 

[LEROYRECCE]

Neither, buy the normal option with just the caliber listed- no modifier.

Unless you’re seating the 156 really deep in the case. You can always call SAC to ask as well

Right on, thank you very much!