Headspace Gauge Durability/Accuracy

[doninreno]

After years of owning/using headspace gauges (called COMPARATOR Gauges by some) to aid in setting my desired headspace when resizing and checking cases, I've found that the front edge where the specified diameter hole (and THAT is the important spec!) meets the front face of the gauge (the area that meets the tapered shoulder of the case {at the SAAMI spec diameter point} when you use them) has become worn to some degree thereby becoming inaccurate when making measurements such as dimensions that become "headspace" when brass cases are reloaded. The problem seems to be that when that edge which SHOULD BE a nice 90 degree square edge becomes worn, it make the resulting measurements inaccurate, so I took them out to my lathe and turned the front face of the gauge off by about .012" to make it all square (90 degrees) again. Shortening the gauge really makes no difference in the reloading process as the caliper gets re-zeroed each time anyway making the length of the gauge have no bearing upon the measurements made.

What I am wondering is if there are headspace gauges available that are made of some MORE DURABLE material than the current (brand "H") ones I've used for a long time. In MY OPINION, these things should NOT be made of aluminum, but should be made of a more durable material that doesn't wear as easily as aluminum does at the 90 degree edges. Maybe tool steel or stainless steel that don't break the bank?

Has anyone else noticed this sort of reduced accuracy or know of a more durable set of headspace gauges?

Thanks!

 

[RustyInBend]

Short Action Customs headspace gauges are awesome ... they're all I use.

 

[WSnyder]

Your terminology is off and could be confusing to some. I believe you are referencing a comparator and not a headspace gauge.

Headspace gauge:

Case comparator gauge:

 

[BoydAllen]

The gauge that I believe you are referring to is not meant to be what it has been misnamed. It is just a comparator, that is all. As long as the edge you are referring to lands somewhere near the middle of a case'e shoulder, it will work fine. A sharp edge is not required. BTW, I have had one since before Hornady picked up the line. Mine was sold by Stoney Point.

 

[DShortt]

Your terminology is off and could be confusing to some. I believe you are referencing a comparator and not a headspace gauge.

Headspace gauge:
View attachment 1622131
Case comparator gauge:
View attachment 1622132

I was thinking exactly the same thing.

 

[doninreno]

Your terminology is off and could be confusing to some. I believe you are referencing a comparator and not a headspace gauge.

Headspace gauge:
View attachment 1622131
Case comparator gauge:
View attachment 1622132

Some manufacturers call these headspace gauges, but I can see where the term COMPARATOR is probably more accurate and some do call them "headspace comparator gauges". I like the pic you posted called case comparator gauge as THAT pretty much covers the range of uses/terminology!

Maybe that picture of yours will make my comments and questions more clear/less confusing! THANKS!!

 

[vonb]

Pricey but made of steel:

Case Gauge - Whidden Gunworks

Use the chart below to reference the other compatible calibers for each gauge. If you don’t see the Case Gauge you need, we can custom build you one with your supplied Go Gauge. Select the "Custom" option in the drop down menu and follow the instructions. Attention: The Belted Magnum Family...

www.whiddengunworks.com

 

[doninreno]

So far, after carefully checking all the headspace/comparator gauges I currently have to be sure that the ID matches the diameter marked on the unit within .001" or so, and then I turn off a few thou of the end to get rid of the area where the wear is at the junction of the bore and the face of the gauge. Unless I can find some made of a more wear resistant material, I will likely have to repeat this process sometime(s) in the future to get the deteriorated area out.

 

[Richard Jones]

You could use neck bushings if you modify the holder by boring it out to .500. Then, just buy a .330, .350, etc, bushing. Pretty sure you won't wear out one of those.........Also works well for seating bullets. For instance, I use a .237 bushing when seating 6mm bullets.

 

[hoz53]

After years of owning/using headspace gauges (called COMPARATOR Gauges by some) to aid in setting my desired headspace when resizing and checking cases, I've found that the front edge where the specified diameter hole (and THAT is the important spec!) meets the front face of the gauge (the area that meets the tapered shoulder of the case {at the SAAMI spec diameter point} when you use them) has become worn to some degree thereby becoming inaccurate when making measurements such as dimensions that become "headspace" when brass cases are reloaded. The problem seems to be that when that edge which SHOULD BE a nice 90 degree square edge becomes worn, it make the resulting measurements inaccurate, so I took them out to my lathe and turned the front face of the gauge off by about .012" to make it all square (90 degrees) again. Shortening the gauge really makes no difference in the reloading process as the caliper gets re-zeroed each time anyway making the length of the gauge have no bearing upon the measurements made.

What I am wondering is if there are headspace gauges available that are made of some MORE DURABLE material than the current (brand "H") ones I've used for a long time. In MY OPINION, these things should NOT be made of aluminum, but should be made of a more durable material that doesn't wear as easily as aluminum does at the 90 degree edges. Maybe tool steel or stainless steel that don't break the bank?

Has anyone else noticed this sort of reduced accuracy or know of a more durable set of headspace gauges?

Thanks!

sinclair/brownells has them and i havent noticed any wear on mine.

 

[M-61]

The problems with using the wrong name.
My first thought was how many barrels would have to be set to wear a headspace gauge out?
As BoydAllen said the tool was misnamed by a manufacturer thus adding to the confusion.

 

[Edd]

You should own a headspace gauge for your chamber. You then determine how that gauge fits the chamber and decide if you want your brass to be shorter, longer, or the same length as your gauge.

Then you can use comparator to compare the length of the resized brass to the headspace gauge.

 

[powderbrake]

So far, after carefully checking all the headspace/comparator gauges I currently have to be sure that the ID matches the diameter marked on the unit within .001" or so, and then I turn off a few thou of the end to get rid of the area where the wear is at the junction of the bore and the face of the gauge. Unless I can find some made of a more wear resistant material, I will likely have to repeat this process sometime(s) in the future to get the deteriorated area out.

Deleted my comment as I misread the original post, and I do not use a gage to set headspace on my cases, I size and test each time using the Wheeler Method.

 

[DShortt]

So far, after carefully checking all the headspace/comparator gauges I currently have to be sure that the ID matches the diameter marked on the unit within .001" or so, and then I turn off a few thou of the end to get rid of the area where the wear is at the junction of the bore and the face of the gauge. Unless I can find some made of a more wear resistant material, I will likely have to repeat this process sometime(s) in the future to get the deteriorated area out.

I'm not sure why you're concerned about it. Post #4 in this thread is spot-on.

To restate it, the exact measurement is irrelevant. It's just establishing a comparison point, hence the name 'comparator'. If you're measuring the same case multiple times and the measurement changes, it probably is something other than your comparator does not have a precisely square edge.
And likewise, if you're measuring 10 cases and all measure differently, it's not because the comparator insert is not precisely square.

 

[DShortt]

You should own a headspace gauge for your chamber. You then determine how that gauge fits the chamber and decide if you want your brass to be shorter, longer, or the same length as your gauge.

Then you can use comparator to compare the length of the resized brass to the headspace gauge.

If you review the thread, the OP is concerned about 'wear' on the contact area of his comparator.
That's also why the definition difference was outlined in post #3 in this thread.

 

[jelenko]

I use a go gauge to calibrate my headspace gauges [err... headspace comparators].
I have headspace gauges [err. comparators] from Whidden, Mo and RCBS.

 

[whatsupdoc]

I use the the Brownells comparators and I am very happy with them.
Have made my own out of steel with a edge like hornady but I still fall back on the Brownells.

 

[Webster]

The gauge that I believe you are referring to is not meant to be what it has been misnamed. It is just a comparator, that is all. As long as the edge you are referring to lands somewhere near the middle of a case'e shoulder, it will work fine. A sharp edge is not required. BTW, I have had one since before Hornady picked up the line. Mine was sold by Stoney Point.

I would guess that a bump guage references to the middle of the shoulder for no special reason. If it referenced to 5 or 10 thou on either side of the middle of the neck would it make any difference? The shoulder contour is a constant slope. Would the bump be the same on either side of the mid point?

 

[BoydAllen]

I would guess that a bump guage references to the middle of the neck for no special reason. If it referenced to 5 or 10 thou on either side of the middle of the neck would it make any difference? The shoulder contour is a constant slope. Would the bump be the same on either side of the mid point?

I presume that your references to the neck were meant to read shoulder. As long as the same gauge is used on the fired case (with primer removed) and the sized case, and it lands somewhere around mid shoulder there should be no problem. I believe that the reason that datum circles are defined the way that they are is to facilitate the fabrication of accurate and uniform actual headspace gauges.

 

[doninreno]

I'm not sure why you're worried about it. Post #4 in this thread is spot-on.

I hope no one else on this thread thought I was WORRIED. After literally decades of reloading, I sometimes come up with things I see along the way that make me curious, but I really never go as far as being worried...not even kinda concerned, but I guess I can't help being curious and find myself wondering what other reloaders have seen. Please don't think I am worried. I'm just fine and I'm sorry if I made anyone else WORRY!