Hornady or Sinclair Concentricy gauge ?

[carl1575]

Having just reread (308 run out from redfish 1) I think I need one. I read about both and it looks like the ability to straighten out a round is a plus for the Hornady or is it. I have all ways been a minute of deer reloader I valued (trigger time) more than 1/2 inch groups and it has served me well in the game field, but now that I punch more paper than hunt I would like to see some 1/2 inch groups. Sub 1/2 inch groups are beyond my ability some of my guns will do it but I cant. So what should I buy and why. Carl in Yakima

 

[Hopkins]

I have the Hornady and wish I had the Sinclair. The lure of straightening run out in loaded cartridges didn't produce the results on paper anticipated. The Sinclair looks to be a superior tool for measuring runout on cases and loaded cartridges.

 

[gotcha]

Having just reread (308 run out from redfish 1) I think I need one. I read about both and it looks like the ability to straighten out a round is a plus for the Hornady or is it. I have all ways been a minute of deer reloader I valued (trigger time) more than 1/2 inch groups and it has served me well in the game field, but now that I punch more paper than hunt I would like to see some 1/2 inch groups. Sub 1/2 inch groups are beyond my ability some of my guns will do it but I cant. So what should I buy and why. Carl in Yakima

Hi Carl, I remember when I had the same question. ......... I bought the Hornady gauge and began comparing the results of straightening cases using both the Sinclair RO gauge and a Forster RO gauge. I found I could, in fact, get straighter cases with the Hornady but only about half of the time (50%) The Hornady is waaaay to finicky to adjust and will often push the bullet past center then you start all over again which is aggravating and counter productive. ........ My old Forster RO gauge can be set up to take readings at mid body, shoulder or neck and provides a pretty good "read" on the improvement, if any, I could achieve..... In the long run I found that attention to die set up and annealing gave me much more consistent RO improvement. ......... If you don't have a RO gauge adding one to your tool kit would be a great idea.............. I once spoke to the engineer at Hornady that designed the RO tool. He designed it STRICTLY to straighten factory ammo for hunting applications. Not for once fired, sized brass.

 

[Matt in Virginia]

Sinclair... 21st Century is above average(if a little over priced) or the Accuracy One if you want to spend $375-400ish with test indicator ($280 for gauge, $15 S&H and $45 on up for the test indicator). The test indicator has to be .350" or narrower on the Accuracy One. That kills Interapid Indicators or the like if you were so inclined. I firmly believe the Accuracy One to be the finest on the market...fwiw. That said the Sinclair will work and tell you where and in which operation you are inducing total indicated run out. The point of the exercise... The stylus of a test indicator is a far easier to get into certain spots than is a drop dial indicator which is largely a one trick pony...

To answer your question Sinclair by a mile. 21st Century if you want to spend a little more, be able to measure more, and in the end know a little more about the process. As a general rule take the specs from the test indicator recommended by the Concentrity Gauge Manufacturer and buy either the same thing, or better yet, a slightly better one, from Zoro.com or any of the other supply houses. Put the savings toward a better test indicator. When I say a "better test indicator" I am not suggesting a $300 Interapid from Tesa in Switzerland(Though I have 6 and they ARE great). More like a Mitutoyo (Model No. 513-402) which are in daily use at many, many job shops. The run $80 at Zoro.com delivered.

If you decide to ignore any of the above advice do a search on on the Hornady Centricity tool. If you can read sign you will pass that one on by.. Best of luck with whatever you choose.

Regards, Matt.

 

[Fotheringill]

I returned the Hornady and got a 21st Century. 21st has the flippy arm on the indicator instead of the needle as on the Hornady. Much easier to use and is more accurate.

 

[carl1575]

I have every body's feed back, thanks for all the sage advice. There wont be a Hornady in my short list. leaning toward a Sinclair, I like most of there products, great company, Thanks again. Carl in Yakima

 

[zipollini]

Go with the 21st Century with the wheel. Love mine !!

 

[Big Mc]

Having just reread (308 run out from redfish 1) I think I need one. I read about both and it looks like the ability to straighten out a round is a plus for the Hornady or is it. I have all ways been a minute of deer reloader I valued (trigger time) more than 1/2 inch groups and it has served me well in the game field, but now that I punch more paper than hunt I would like to see some 1/2 inch groups. Sub 1/2 inch groups are beyond my ability some of my guns will do it but I cant. So what should I buy and why. Carl in Yakima

My vote is for the Sinclair unit.. Simple and right on the money . Tommy Mc..

 

[amlevin]

I have both. The Hornady has a design problem. It indexes the head end of the case by the extractor rim. The part that takes a beating from extractors and the concrete if it hits it.

Any of the run-out gauges that use V-Blocks are going to be more accurate.

If one wanted to take the time I suppose they could come up with a method of truing the extractor ring while the rest of the case was supported on v-blocks or held in a collet. Then the Hornady might be a better choice for those who do want to straighten bullets.

 

[carl1575]

After all your input and my reading every thing I can on line I think I will go with the Sinclair. It looks like a quality unit and you pay for quality and from your input I am not interested in straightening rounds, I want to make them straight to start with and the Sinclair will tell me if I am going in the right direction when I make changes in reloading set up and or dies. Thanks for the help everyone. Carl in Yakima

 

[dbramley]

Send me a pm, if you want a Sinclair I got one for ya cheap

 

[carl1575]

dbramley I will take it, please send your payment info. PM also sent thank you, Carl in Yakima