best headspace gauge

[gilmillan1]

Whats a really good headspace gauge?

 

[fguffey]

I have no hang-ups about head space, all I want is the length of the chamber from the shoulder to the bolt face. The length of the chamber can be measured at least three different ways. The only method and or head space gage used and or understood on reloading forms are referred to as being go-gage, no go-gage and field reject length gage.

I use head space gages as standards and transfers. I want to know the length of the chamber in thousandths, I have no interest in closing a bolt on a go-gage just to see if the bolt will close.
My cases do not have head space, I use the length of the case from the shoulder to the case head to off set the length of the chamber form the shoulder to the bolt face.

F. Guffey

 

[jonbearman]

Ptg or Clymer but by the set from the same maker as they can vary slightly.

 

[bigedp51]

Whats a really good headspace gauge?

I just use a metal pocket ruler and measure from the top of the liquid to the top of the foam.
(if its over an inch I throw the glass at the bartender)

 

[CatShooter]

Whats a really good headspace gauge?

Forster PTG, and Clymer are the standards. Do not worry about getting different makers - they do NOT vary from make to make. Each one is graduated and accurate to four places. (0.0000" for those who live in Rio Linda)

If you get them from distributors like Midway or Brownells... they only carry GO, NO-GO, and FIELD. If you buy a Forster "GO" it comes with the actual headspace length engraved on it (GO - 1.6060").

If you get a PTG gauge, it just says "GO"... you have to know what the minimum SAAMI is. If you want a PTG that is calibrated, then order it from PTG directly, and specify the headspace length.

The PTG gauges have colour coded paint in rings (black, green and red) and are prettier

 

[comagutsa]

i like the RCBS Precision mic
great bit of gear for headspace

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=video&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCoQtwIwAw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DPiGzpC55KBU&ei=Jvs0VcHKHNDX8gXtq4HoDQ&usg=AFQjCNHbxASTUZcRdOx8NC97nHak-QJp6g&sig2=pM1I7H0wWoIgDB_VjrKFPg&bvm=bv.91071109,d.dGc

 

[CatShooter]

i like the RCBS Precision mic
great bit of gear for headspace

The RCBS precision mic, is a case micrometer - it is NOT a headspace gauge.

 

['Freak]

Is the inside diameter of a full length size die up where the case body transitions into shoulder, too small to allow the OD of a Go Gauge to be inserted and pass through to the point that the two shoulders contact?

I prefer Sinclair’s “Bump Gauge Inserts”. They are machined with the same shoulder angle (shapes) as the chamber instead of an orifice what’s supposed to be the diameter at the shoulder datum.

 

[CatShooter]

Is the inside diameter of a full length size die up where the case body transitions into shoulder,
too small to allow the OD of a Go Gauge to be inserted and pass through to the point that the two shoulders contact?

I prefer Sinclair’s “Bump Gauge Inserts”. They are machined with the same shoulder angle
(shapes) as the chamber instead of an orifice what’s supposed to be the diameter at the shoulder datum.

A headspace gauge will go into a FL (or Neck) die all the way. You can use it to measure the headspace of the die.

I prefer Sinclair’s “Bump Gauge Inserts”. They are machined with the same shoulder angle
(shapes) as the chamber instead of an orifice what’s supposed to be the diameter at the shoulder datum.

This makes no sense...

A headspace gauge is a steel cartridge, with a body and shoulder that matches the dimentions of a cartridge - without a neck.

There are NO orifices anywhere (on the gauge ).

This is a HEADSPACE Gauge...

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/166646/ptg-headspace-go-gage-22-250-remington?cm_vc=ProductFinding

 

[fguffey]

A headspace gauge will go into a FL (or Neck) die all the way. You can use it to measure the headspace of the die.

That is not true, a reloader with shop skills could use the head space gage with the die and shell holder, when checking the die dimension from the shoulder to the deck of the shell holder with a head space gage there should be a gap between the bottom of the die and top of the shell holder. In the perfect world there would be a .005" gap between the die and shell holder for the 30/06.

then there is the protrusion from the die, a reloader with shop skills could measure the go-gage protrusion from the die without the shell holder, simply measure the amount of go-gage protrusion from the die. For the 30/06 there should be .130" case head protrusion. the .130" protrusion would account for the deck height of the shell holder and the difference in length between a minimum length case from the shoulder to the case head and from the shoulder of the chamber to the bolt face.

F. Guffey

 

['Freak]

Thanks, KittyKiller. I’d be using the Go Gauge to spot where a die would be positioned if screwed to the press to the point of SAAMI minimum, only fer my reference, NOT for setting a die to that point.

The second dose was in response, ‘Freak having assumed OP was asking ‘bout them there case base to shoulder datum length checker thingamajigs, and not a ferreeel headspace gauging gauge.

 

[fguffey]

what’s supposed to be the diameter at the shoulder datum.

I would suggest using shoulder/case body juncture. One datum for a drawing for the chamber and another for the case is about the limit for most reloaders.

Reloaders could make gages, that would be the easy part, convincing them it is possible is the difficult part.

Datum on the shoulder?, To answer your question someone will need to know what chamber. The 30/06 is .375", the 308 is .400". A good number for magnums is .420".

http://www.saami.org/PubResources/CC_Drawings/C%20and%20C%20Dwgs%20-%20TOC%20-%20Rifle.pdf

F. Guffey

 

[CatShooter]

A headspace gauge will go into a FL (or Neck) die all the way. You can use it to measure the headspace of the die.

That is not true, a reloader with shop skills could use the head space gage with the die and shell holder,
when checking the die dimension from the shoulder to the deck of the shell holder with a head space gage
there should be a gap between the bottom of the die and top of the shell holder.
In the perfect world there would be a .005" gap between the die and shell holder for the 30/06.

then there is the protrusion from the die, a reloader with shop skills could measure the go-gage protrusion
from the die without the shell holder, simply measure the amount of go-gage protrusion from the die.
For the 30/06 there should be .130" case head protrusion. the .130" protrusion would account for the
deck height of the shell holder and the difference in length between a minimum length case from the
shoulder to the case head and from the shoulder of the chamber to the bolt face.

F. Guffey

Actually, what I said IS true.

As usual, you did not understand what was said, and your reply is incoherent jibberish.

The standing deck height of a shell holder is 0.125", which means that if you put a headspace gauge into a
FL or Neck size die, and measure the part of the gauge that sticks out of the die, and subtract 0.125",
you get the headspace of the die.

It is not rocket science... it is eaasy peasy, STANDARD technique for reloaders.

Please try to pay attention next time.

 

[CatShooter]

what’s supposed to be the diameter at the shoulder datum.

I would suggest using shoulder/case body juncture.

F. Guffey

The shoulder/body junction cannot be used to measure headspace (or anything else).

It is not an excepted reference for anything.

 

[fguffey]

Datum on the shoulder?, To answer your question someone will need to know what chamber. The 30/06 is .375", the 308 is .400". A good number for magnums is .420".

http://www.saami.org/PubResources/CC_Drawings/C%20and%20C%20Dwgs%20-%20TOC%20-%20Rifle.pdf

A headspace gauge will go into a FL (or Neck) die all the way

"All the way", again that is not true.

F. Guffey

 

[fguffey]

A headspace gauge will go into a FL (or Neck) die all the way

If a head space gage contacts the shoulder 'at the datum' of .375" the head space gage will make contact with the neck sizing die because it does not have a shoulder.

F. Guffey

 

[CatShooter]

Datum on the shoulder?, To answer your question someone will need to know what chamber. The 30/06 is .375", the 308 is .400". A good number for magnums is .420".

http://www.saami.org/PubResources/CC_Drawings/C%20and%20C%20Dwgs%20-%20TOC%20-%20Rifle.pdf

A headspace gauge will go into a FL (or Neck) die all the way

"All the way", again that is not true.

F. Guffey

It was an answer to a question, and the IN response to the context of the question - you NEVER read the question.

He said.. "is the inside diameter of a full length size die up where the case body transitions into shoulder, too small to allow the OD of a Go Gauge to be inserted and pass through to the point that the two shoulders contact?"

He was asking if the gauge would go ALL THE IN the die, as opposed to stopping part way in.

guffy, your obtuseness and lack of understanding of what is said, is overwhelming.

"All the way in", means that the shoulder of the gauge contacts the shoulder of the die - that is a real easy one for you to understand (but I doubt that you will get it).

 

['Freak]

Yup...

 

[CatShooter]

A headspace gauge will go into a FL (or Neck) die all the way

If a head space gage contacts the shoulder 'at the datum' of .375" the head space gage will make contact with the neck sizing die because it does not have a shoulder.

F. Guffey

WHAT??

A neck sizing die DOES have a shoulder - it is typically located 0.004" longer than SAAMI max (less the standing deck height).

You can make a bump die out of a neck size die by taking 14 thou off the bottom of the die.

 

[M-61]

Whats a really good headspace gauge?

Back to the OP.
I'm a bit lost on your question.....to qualify as "BAD" would mean it is machined to the wrong dimensions...never ran across that yet...or marked incorrectly (haven't seen that either). I think I have missed what you are asking.
I never heard of one going 'out of spec'....and I would say none wear out.