Headspace Gauge Durability/Accuracy

[RegionRat]

I have been working on an article about headspace and gages that you may find helpful. It is still a draft, so feel free to let me know if you spot any errors.

Nice article.

Since you went to the trouble and covered the hard part, I would only suggest letting the art department make you some diagrams and sketches to illustrate it in places. Maybe a snippet that showed the 223 SAAMI and CIP prints to match those paragraphs where you talk about those dimensions.

With or without the illustrations, good article.

 

[Ray Gross]

Nice article.

Since you went to the trouble and covered the hard part, I would only suggest letting the art department make you some diagrams and sketches to illustrate it in places. Maybe a snippet that showed the 223 SAAMI and CIP prints to match those paragraphs where you talk about those dimensions.

With or without the illustrations, good article.

thanks, I agree. It needs a few illustrations

 

[searcher]

I agree with your comment no sharp edge needed. Does it matter what the shape of the edge is? It's a before and after sizing measurement with the same gauge. It doesn't matter if the contact on the gauge changes with usuage. I would think a slightly rounded or beveled edge would would see less edge shape change if there is any. Why would you have a lot of wear, it's just a gentle contact?

Never owned a head space gauge in 50 years. My gunsmith sets the head space. Wasted money. They don't make the rifle shoot any better. You don't need a head space gauge to size a case properly?

I have never needed a headspace gauge for a bolt gun (I don't use pre-fit barrels or do my own chambering), though I have found having one handy to have when working with A/R's. I once bought an upper that was out of spec as well as a barrel with "matched" bolt that was off. Having those gauges makes it easy to replace with another bolt and know it is in spec in case I croak and the rifle is sold to someone who intends to shoot factory ammo. I agree with the sharp/dull edge business too. I have used my Hornady comparator significantly for as long as they have been out (Stoney Point days) and if that edge has, indeed worn a bit, it seems to have made no difference as my loads have changed over time as well - or at least my barrels have worn and been replaced for the most part.

 

[divingin]

Easy way is to get a Sinclair nut type comparator. I use the 6mm hole for comparing bullet seating depth and the 30 cal hole for checking 6BR shoulders (not ideal as it's a bit high on the shoulder, but it works.) Stainless steel, so unlikely to wear.

SINCLAIR INTERNATIONAL SINCLAIR HEX STYLE BULLET COMPARATORS

Check out SINCLAIR INTERNATIONAL SINCLAIR HEX STYLE BULLET COMPARATORS available Online at Brownells Today and many more Bullet Comparators products are available in our Reloading Department.

www.brownells.com

 

[RegionRat]

Easy way is to get a Sinclair nut type comparator. I use the 6mm hole for comparing bullet seating depth and the 30 cal hole for checking 6BR shoulders (not ideal as it's a bit high on the shoulder, but it works.) Stainless steel, so unlikely to wear.

SINCLAIR INTERNATIONAL SINCLAIR HEX STYLE BULLET COMPARATORS

Check out SINCLAIR INTERNATIONAL SINCLAIR HEX STYLE BULLET COMPARATORS available Online at Brownells Today and many more Bullet Comparators products are available in our Reloading Department.

www.brownells.com

ETA: I really shouldn't write. In my career, I had editors who could sell sand in the desert and took my black & white words and turned them into technicolor. When I read what I wrote below, it sounded like it was directed at divingin, but that is not my intention. My comments are meant in general about sharp edges used as contacts, verus area contacts.

If you noticed the chamfers on the photos of that tool, you would see that there is still a very vulnerable "facet line" on the bore to chamfer and chamfer to face.



If you ding one of those up, you will also end up with troubles.

If you abuse any instrument or measurement tools, you will have trouble.

Steel might take some more abuse than aluminum, but we really shouldn't expect these aluminum Hornady tools to take abuse, nor would we get steel to do any better if the context is abuse.

My dad used to say "there are all sorts of people in the labor force, some of them can fuck up an anvil".
I didn't believe him till I started working and teaching, but it is certainly true.

 

[divingin]

When I read what I wrote below, it sounded like it was directed at divingin, but that is not my intention.

Not a problem from my end. I was just pointing out that steel alternatives are available. And I personally find that the nut is easier to throw in my range kit than the Hornady/Stony Point tool.