What Concentricity Gauge?

[antelopehunter]

I am looking to purchase a concentricity gauge and am curious as to what you would recommend and the pros & cons of the various models---RCBS, Redding, Sinclair and Forrester etc. How do these compare for features, price etc. Please advise. Thank you.
antelopehunter

 

[Travelor]

I have the RCBS tool and do not like it. The supports that hold the case and neck never seem to lock in place.

I have used the Sinclair and found it to be an excellent tool.

I have not used any other tools.

George

 

[fdshuster]

I have and use both the RCBS, first one purchased) and the Sinclair, bought several yrs. ago. If I could only keep one, it would be the Sinclair, although have not had any problems with either. When I cross-check a loaded round, using both, the results are so close, as to not matter. Not real happy w/ the PRC dial indicator on the Sinclair and may upgrade if I can find a Starrett, Lufkin, etc. The V-blocks on the RCBS now have a lot of wear on the bearing surfaces. Really only nit-picking: both good tools that I use all the time.

 

[alf]

I can't comment on the others, but I bought a Neco when they first came out, and see no reason to change.

Al

 

[Preacher]

Sinclair--hands down.....

 

[race4hills]

Has anyone used the one made by Holland? How good is that one?

 

[mikecr]

Sinclair

 

[Forum Boss]

I've used the Sinclair and the RCBS. I prefer the Sinclair. The RCBS version, with V-Blocks, works OK with long cartridges like the 30-06, but I found it very difficult to keep short cases such as 6BR from rocking or tipping. That throws off the reading.

 

[favload]

I have the Holland and it's great. The quality is second to none, I think its the best one out there. It has pins that are very easy to move for different length cases. The base is very solid aluminum with a red hard coat on it. It comes with a very good dial indicator but you could also use a digital indicator if you wanted. However, my eyes like the movement or rather lack of, when things are correct using the dial type. Good price to.

 

[flatlander]

I used a borrowed NECO gauge several years ago, and thought it was a good piece of gear. But when it came time to purchase my own concentricity checker, I went with the Sinclair - NECO sells good stuff, but they're a bit too proud of all of it to suit me, and the Sinclair checker works just as well as the NECO did for about half the $$$.

 

[memilanuk]

Some of the decision depends on what all you want to do with the tool... if you are just planning on checking case neck runout or loaded round runout... most any of them will work well. I have two generations of the Sinclair tool, and they do work for that well enough. They are set up to take one reading and one reading only, and for that they are simple and fast to use.

If you want to check some other aspects of case dimensions, it's just about not physically possible with the Sinclair. The NECO is a lot more fidgety to set up and has to be handled a little more gently to not disturb the indicator mount, but it can get into some neat areas. Whether or not that information is of use to you is up to you.

Something I found interesting... the Sinclair w/ its ball bearing blocks supports the case just in front of the case head, and just behind the case shoulder. The NECO can read that way too, but its directions stipulate to put the supports just in front of the case head and then under the bullet just in front of the case mouth. Sometimes the readings on the same cartridge can be noticeably different.

 

[MATSUBOB]

I have a Sinclair which works ok but can give some false readings if you hace a dinged up case where it rides on the balls. I also have a H&H made by a guy in Albany NY. I found the H&H to be the best as it is supported by the tip of the bullet and also has a bullet straighting device if you need one.

 

[ProneKing]

I have both the RCBS and Neco. I only use the Neco. Live and learn, I guess.

PK

 

[lmorrison17]

I have the rcbs, dont like it. I have used the holland and loved it.

 

[OldDoug]

Use the RCBS and it is only fair. Cartridge holders need bearings and scratch the brass. Hard to register the dial indicator as it slips unless you make it "Farmer Tight". Wish I had bought the Holland.
Old Doug

 

[dreever]

I borrowed two friends tools to try out before I bought one. The H&H and a Sinclair. I ultimately went with the Sinclair, simple to use and less expensive.

Danny