Is there an alternative to the Accuracy One Seating Depth Comparator?

[marchboom]

Looking at the Accuracy One Seating Depth Comparator, does anyone make a tool similar to this but at a reduced price?

Thanks

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Thread 'Best seating depth measuring tool?'

Feb 1, 2020

What’s currently the most precise (accurate), piece if equipment for measuring seating depth of loaded cartridge. I know there is the Redding instant indicator, which seems great in theory to be able to do this with a press. Some may consider not benchest standard I guess. Then I say the Davidson seating depth checker (from benchrite) that attaches to your calipers. Any others? What does everyone use.

• DngBat7
• Replies: 58
• Forum: Reloading Forum (All Calibers)

 

[DaveTooley]

Simple is better.
And less expensive

Simple Bullet Comparator - Whidden Gunworks

Don't we need a simple way to measure the Cartridge Base to Ogive so that we can get our bullet seating depths just right? After all, how can we set the appropriate bullet jump if we can't even measure the bullet properly? The simple solution is our Simple Bullet Comparator. Besides seating...

www.whiddengunworks.com

 

[Chiquita]

I think OP is asking about primer seating depth measuring tool.

 

[marchboom]

I think OP is asking about primer seating depth measuring tool.

No. I'm asking about the bullet seating depth comparator. The tool that measures shoulder to ogive.

 

[quest450]

with Accuracy One you actually get three tools, B to O comparator, pocket depth and primer seating depth measuring tool, buy with confidence and buy once cry once

edit:

the primer and primer pocket tool might be additional $$

 

[Link]

I like the Wheeler method. ;]

 

[Raydee]

I know it’s expensive but man does it really speed up and simplify things. I wish I bought mine a long time ago.

 

[Superior_Precision]

Yes, there is an alternative (and I'd argue better) tool but no it's not cheaper because precision machining isn't cheap. The folks at Accuracy One are correct...shoulder to ogive is the proper way to measure bullet seating depth. However, their tool doesn't actually measure that from what I can tell. If you want to measure from the shoulder datum to the ogive (and you should) you need my tool because I have a patent on doing this. https://www.superior-precision.com/Cartridge-Gauge/

I also use this tool to measure headspace of the case, the distance from case base to shoulder datum. You can also measure bullet base to ogive or bullet tip to ogive if you want to. And I use this tool along with my chamber gauge to measure shoulder datum to the lands. And that lets me calculate bullet jump the way it should be done: jump = (chamber shoulder datum to lands distance) - (cartridge shoulder datum to ogive distance).

 

[Superior_Precision]

Good question. The comparator has two holes. The big hole has a diameter = the shoulder datum per SAAMI, the small hole has a diameter = the bore. Place the big hole on the shoulder and measure from the case base to the end of the compator. Zero the caliper. Then flip the comparator over and place the little hole on the bullet and measure again from the base to the end of the comparator. The reading on the caliper is the distance from the shoulder datum to the ogive (where the bullet diameter = bore diameter). Move to another case and you may need to reset the zero depending on how consistent your resizing is. I check every case when I'm loading, doesn't take but a moment. I use a machinist vice to hold the caliper vertical, makes it quick and easy. You can see this in action on this video: Introduction to Superior Precision reloading tools. - YouTube

 

[ELR LVR]

This is my opinion
is the fastest, easiest comparator to use with no fiddling with any attachments
Holes are cut with the appropriate caliber throating reamer
to accurately duplicate the actual throat of a rifle
(which would mean indexing on the correct datum of the Ogive)
---
$21.99

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

 

[painter]

I have used one for years without any problems, straightforward.

 

[lotech]

This is my opinion
is the fastest, easiest comparator to use with no fiddling with any attachments
Holes are cut with the appropriate caliber throating reamer
to accurately duplicate the actual throat of a rifle
(which would mean indexing on the correct datum of the Ogive)
---
$21.99

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

View attachment 1711456

I've used the Sinclair "nut" for forty years or so. Simple and works well.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Keep your eyes open in the Classifieds for Bob Greens tool. Simple , easy, accurate. I don't know that he still offers them.

 

[Superior_Precision]

tat

This is my opinion
is the fastest, easiest comparator to use with no fiddling with any attachments
Holes are cut with the appropriate caliber throating reamer
to accurately duplicate the actual throat of a rifle
(which would mean indexing on the correct datum of the Ogive)
---
$21.99

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

View attachment 1711456

Per the web site that tools is designed to "measure the length from the major diameter of the bullet to the case head." That is very different than measuring from the shoulder datum to the ogive which is what the OP was asking about. I'm also very curious how the bevels on those holes affect the measurement and very skeptical that anything can be made for $22 that is even remotely precise. I'm not saying that you can't make good ammo using it but, again, that's not what the OP was asking for.

 

[JFrank]

I should probably keep this to myself ( and I usually delete these post after a few days) but I really prefer not using a caliper or switching back and forth while measuring from the case head. the A-1 set up is fast and accurate to .0005 for checking each round as seated, the best I’ve used in a decade. It may ease the cost to know the indicator can be used with their other tools with just a body swap.

 

[Fire Dog]

I should probably keep this to myself ( and I usually delete these post after a few days) but I really prefer not using a caliper or switching back and forth while measuring from the case head. the A-1 set up is fast and accurate to .0005 for checking each round as seated, the best I’ve used in a decade. It may ease the cost to know the indicator can be used with their other tools with just a body swap.

Homemade base plate?
Good idea as I was thinking of mounting mine on a seperate base plate to mount the comparator as my KM does not have enough footprint to do your setup.

 

[dgeesaman]

Keep your eyes open in the Classifieds for Bob Greens tool. Simple , easy, accurate. I don't know that he still offers them.

Bobs tool measures only a bullet from one ogive to a wider ogive, in an attempt to sort out variance in shape. It has nothing to do with a loaded round or brass

(Edit Correction: Bob made a different tool for this situation)

David

 

[luckyshot52]

What is the theoretical gain of using shoulder days to give datum???
Look to the most accurate shooters process. Make sure shoulder bumps are repeatable and seating depth is repeatable! Rest is just adding time and cost!! And probably not adding any accuracy.

 

[ELR LVR]

tat

Per the web site that tools is designed to "measure the length from the major diameter of the bullet to the case head." That is very different than measuring from the shoulder datum to the ogive which is what the OP was asking about. I'm also very curious how the bevels on those holes affect the measurement and very skeptical that anything can be made for $22 that is even remotely precise. I'm not saying that you can't make good ammo using it but, again, that's not what the OP was asking for.

Sorry to inform ya,
Read Post #5
I understood what he meant to begin with
---
Everyone - Read the title
The OP stated "Seating Depth"
He wants to be able to measure CBTO


not shoulder bump, a few people are confusing the two