NECK TENSION GAUGE KIT

[22BRGUY]

 

[Bronsin]

I wondered what these things were for, and now that I've seen them in action, I'm just glad I'm a Machinist that has the right tools and knows how to use them.

 

[Jefferson]

Bronsin perhaps you might be so kind as to expand on your thoughts

to assist the masses in their quest for correct knowledge

 

[WSnyder]

Several ways a machinist might check neck ID with tools already in the shop. Gage pins. Inside mic. Ball gage with mic or caliper.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

I inherited some mics from my father. All I will ever need.

 

[dgeesaman]

Another option, much easier and accurate to the .0001. Can’t use the ratchet on a flexible piece like a brass neck - I just adjust until it gently grabs the brass. This one works with 6 to 8mm.

Bought it way cheaper than retail by buying used on eBay. Added a .25000 ring gage for a few bucks more so that I can keep it dead nuts accurate.

 

[Bronsin]

Bronsin perhaps you might be so kind as to expand on your thoughts

to assist the masses in their quest for correct knowledge

The best way to check for neck tension is with a Micrometer. Subtract the sized case neck O.D, from the Neck O.D. with a bullet seated. Pretty simple and straight forward with a common tool.

If you need more or less tension you can change the bushing in your die or use an expander mandrel of a different size to finish with.

These tools don't tell you anything. Let's say your measuring a neck for a 7mm case and it stops at .281 on the donut. That doesn't tell you the I.D. of the neck. It could be .285, and this gage will fall right in. All you would know is that your I.D. is bigger than .284. They also don't "measure" anything. It takes clearance for a pin to fit in a hole. A .284 pin is not going to go in a .284 hole. It will need .0001-.0003 clearance to go, so it's not really telling you just what size the I.D. is.

I love Forster Products. I have used their dies for years in everything that I needed except for competition sizing dies. The only thing these tools are good for is separating people who don't know any better from their money.

 

[Jefferson]

thanks me bronsin
I thought pin gauges were the best, my mistake
I thought those that left doughnuts in the case should do things differently than those who take the doughnuts out, perhaps I was right

thanks for taking the time to explain, knowledge is nice

 

[dcali]

This is complexity for the sake of it. Just measure the neck od of the sized case with calipers. You’re done.