larry willis headspace tool

[lurcher]

I am currently using a davidson base and a sinclair comparator body/inserts to measure brass length from the shoulder and OAL from the ogive. I am fussy and have never been 100% satisfied with this set up.

The RCBS precision MIC's look nice but are caliber specific and only measure from the shoulder (can't do oal from the ogive).

Anyone tried the willis tool how does it stack up?

 

[teele1]

I've got an Innovative Technologies Digital Headspace Tool and I don't know who I reloaded without it. It’s easy to setup and use and now I'm sure of .001 head space every time I reload. One tool for ALL calibers for head space, seating to the ogive, case overall length cartridge overall length. I really like mine. Thanks SNOWMAN teele1

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

After reading your post, I agree with TEELE1: The Larry Willis tool will definately fit right in to your reloading bench. This thing really works and is easy to use. And, if you have questions, the answer is just a phone call away. Good guy with good products!

 

[jr600yd]

Without a doubt this was the best $100 I've ever spent on reloading equipment and boy do I have alot of it. One tool does all rifle calibers. No more caliber speciflc guages. Only wish I had thought of it!

 

[in2deep]

This looks like a great solution for measuring base to ogive to get OAL it appears but I am curious how to repeat a measurement from the same spot on the case or bullet after changing the position of the knob that appears to adjust for different sizes? Basically how do you find the same place on the ogive with an adjustable screw each time you set it up.
With the usual caliper/comparator set-ups the openings are fixed therefore easy to repeat the same dimension and I can't seem to understand that part of the function of the headspace tool.

 

[tenring]

2Deep - You keep a piece of virgin brass for each caliber you load. Make a small scratch at the datum line. When you go back to that caliber you should be spot on. Just don't shoot that piece of brass.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Everytime I want to use the headspace tool, I have to drive to Lake Worth. ;D Your Welcome Bandit

 

[bozo699]

in2deep,
It doesn't matter where you put the adjusting screw, you just set it up somewhere on the datum line on a piece of fire formed brass from your chamber not virgin brass, hit zero on the gauge, now run the piece of brass through your die, readjust your die until you move the shoulder your desired bump, it should read something like -.001 now. I bought one of these tools a week or so ago and was going to do a write up about it. It is a very well thought out, and very well built piece of equipment, that is repeatably accurate and isn't cartridge specific like the Redding comparator tools. This is a onetime $89.95 instead of $89.95 for every cartridge you own. I wrote to Larry Willis and he responded to my letter, he is very nice and helpful, answered all my questions. I currently own Redding, stony point, Hornady, RCBS and barrel remnants that have been chambered with same reamer as my rifles, all of which is for measuring your cartridge for headspace length. The tool I bought from Innovative Technologies is by far the most accurate, fastest, and easiest way to get your resizing die set to bump the shoulder the desired amount you want I have ever seen. I feel it is a must on any reloading bench.
Wayne.

 

[wooger]

I have one and I like it for all of the reasons already stated. The only thing I would change if I could would be to put a precise "tip" on the screw.

 

[GLC]

I have one too and Larry was very patient with my stupid questions, I was making it very complicated when it is so simple!

I can set exact headspace within a few minutes, the tool is extremely accurate and repeatable, it compliments my Alan Warner dIe very well, the other great thing is the digital readout, very easy.
Highly recommended product and very well thought out.
Regards
Gary Costello

 

[coues52]

I bought one too(about 1 year ago),great tool 1+...I also have the mag belt die 1+ ~Danny

 

[dreever]

I've got one too, and like everyone has said it's very simple to use and you can adjust your dies perfectly with it.
Quality product.

Danny

 

[moosetracker]

I use a slightly different technique to set up my resizing dies using Larry Willis' "Digital Headspace Gauge". To set it up for a .002" bump on the shoulder I use the following procedure:

1. I take a case fire formed in my firearm. The case should be a tight fit so that it's as close as possible to chamber dimensions.
2. Set the case in the Digital Headspace Gauge and zero the gauge.
3. Insert a .003" shim on the FL, Redding body die or Forster Bushing bump die and screw the die in the press till it's snug on the shellholder. Here's the link for the set of shims:
http://www.sinclairintl.com/.aspx/sid=65249/sku/Skip_s_die_shim_kit____7_8_14_
4. Resize the case with that set up.
5. Place the case in the Digital Headspace Gauge and get a measurement of the amount of shoulder bump.
6. If the bump measures .005" all you need to do is replace the .003" shim with a .006" shim and you get a .002" bump.

The beauty of this set up is that you don't need to touch the die even if you have multiple guns of the same caliber - you just change the shim in accordance with the bump you need. Also you can use another shim if you want more or less bump.

Occasionally, you get a minimal dimension chamber where you can only get less than .001" with the FL or body die. When this occurs, I use a dedicated shell holder which I sand on a flat surface to take off .001" or so.

Larry's gauge is accurate and consistent. I don't know how I managed without it before!

 

[bozo699]

Thanks moosetracker for sharing your method, its definitely something I will try, The method I have been using is working fine for me but I am always open to something that may work a little better Thanks again.
Wayne.

 

[RJinTexas]

1+ for the tip moosetracker. It will save me some time as I do own several rifles of the same caliber. A man can never have to many 22BR's, 6BR's or 6mmAI's.

Thanks
RJ

 

[tatco]

Always up to trying new tools. Could be I like playing with the tools more than shooting. In any event, seems all you folks think very highly of the headspace tool so I have ordered one. I'll write back when I receive it and let you know how I faired with it. Thanks for all the good reports that help me justify spending on another toy.

 

[bozo699]

I never really thought about it until now but this tool is a little misleading by its name, it really should be called a bump gauge and comparator tool as it really doesn't measure head space, but it is a really nice comparator tool
Wayne.

 

[Innovative]

Hi,

I considered 3 or 4 different names for this tool, but the name had to be something that the average shooter could relate to. After all, this is a totally NEW patented tool, therefore it's unlike anything else. I decided to call it the Digital Headspace Gauge, because this ONE tool replaces most "conventional" headspace gauges. Unlike an ordinary "drop-in" headspace gauge, this tool is not limited to one specific caliber, and it displays the exact chamber clearance in YOUR particular chamber.

A conventional "drop-in" case gauge only shows the approximate range that is considered to be safe, and even if you had specific case measurements it would be meaningless unless you ALSO know the size of the particular chamber you're using. The Digital Headspace Gauge has no need to show specific case measurements, because it displays the most relevant information, which is the difference "at the shoulder" between your handloads and the actual chamber it's going into. It easily provides 60% closer readings than an ordinary "drop-in" gauge.

The Digital Headspace Gauge obviously has nothing to do with installing a rifle barrel like Go/No-Go gauges. The Digital Headspace Gauge is designed for the handloader, and it's easy to operate. I'm sure nobody is confused by its name. I also have a video that shows (in greater detail) how to use this tool to measure bullet jump to the rifling.

Developing this gauge was a bigger project than I originally thought. It's good to see so many shooters using it. I've shipped over 1,000 of them already, and I knew they were out there somewhere .....

Good Shooting,
Larry Willis

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

Congratulations Larry, and continued success! This is a great tool for the reloader.
Thanks.

Barry

 

[bozo699]

Larry,
What Barry said goes for me I definitely wish you all the best. I wasn't trying to disrespect you by my statement of the name of the tool.

I never really thought about it until now but this tool is a little misleading by its name, it really should be called a bump gauge and comparator tool as it really doesn't measure head space, but it is a really nice comparator tool
Wayne.

I have stated on here I think it is neater than peanut butter, and as I stated to you in a email how wonderful I thought it was. So again I hope you took no offense to that I was just trying to point out to the readers that it wasn't a true head space tool,but it is a AWESOME comparator tool to quickly set your sizing die for the correct shoulder bump or to see how much your cases are stretching on a factory round. Again many thanks Larry and I will be putting in my order for the Magnum collet die.
Wayne.