What's the difference?

[Leo_B]

Trying to figure out if it's just nomenclature or other things as well.

Hornady Cartridge Ga 38 Special

Hornady Lock-N-Load Cartridge Gauges allow the user to check their ammo to ensure a correct fit in SAAMI chambers. Cut to SAAMI maximum tolerances,...

www.midwayusa.com

L.E. Wilson Case Length Ga 38 Special

The WILSON CASE LENGTH GAGE is a one-piece, non-adjustable cylinder-type gage with milled surfaces on one end for checking minimum and maximum overall...

www.midwayusa.com

L.E. Wilson Max Cartridge Ga 38 Special

L.E. Wilson has been producing high quality precision reloading tools for over 80 years. The Max Cartridge gauge gives reloaders the ability to check...

www.midwayusa.com

RCBS Chamber Cartridge Ga 38 Special

RCBS Chamber/Cartridge gauges do double duty. Drop the handloaded round into the chamber gauge and check both chambering as well as cartridge length....

www.midwayusa.com

And if/why to choose one of those instead of this:

Lyman Multi-Cal Handgun Ammo Checker Cartridge Ga 380 ACP, 9mm Luger,

Lyman's Ammo Checkers check the quality and consistency of both reloaded rounds and purchased ammo. A must for any auto shooter for easy and consistent...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[RegionRat]

The Hornady says it is cut to the ammo MAX specs.

The Wilson gage has one that only checks length, and one that checks Ammo MAX.

The RCBS isn't clear on if the gage is MIN Chamber but you can ask them.

The Lyman gage is cut to Chamber MIN.

These are not just marketing terms. The concepts of SAAMI/CIP Chamber Specifications versus Ammo Specifications are two different things, each with a set of MAX and MIN dimensions.

In your straightwall 38 Spcl example, there is a difference between the MIN chamber and the MAX ammo.

Here is the ammo:




And here is the chamber.




Sometimes, ammo that will fail the MAX Ammo gage, can still fit into the MIN Chamber gage. Pick the one that makes you happy, MAX ammo to be conservative. YMMV

 

[kenhwind]

The Lyman Multi-Cal Gauge is okay and handy but the, or most individual gauges will determine overall length, which is usually the length of the gauge.

 

[charlie b]

I just use the gun. Drop the round in the barrel (semi-auto) or cylinder. If it slides in smoothly it's ready to go.

I didn't use loaded ammo for this. Just a case and bullet. For semi-auto sometimes I'd make up several to check magazine function as well. Once everything is setup properly, make the ammo.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I have had perfect success using the Lyman ammo checkers when the ammo needs to fit one or multiple chambers( both in handgun and rifle). I use it to check brass sizing as well as finished ammo. There is a 0.003 step.

 

[Leo_B]

I'm new to reloading. Actually starting this year. I have two Ruger revolvers and hope to add one more. I actually don't know if I need something like that or not. But I want to be certain of any loaded ammo I use. So trying to figure out which one(s), if any, I should get.

 

[SeabeeKen]

I'd use a min gauge. If it fits that it should fit in any chamber. My match barrel in my pistols is what I use as a gauge. Only takes a few seconds to remove the barrel. I use Wilson gauges for mt rifle match ammo and their bump micrometer that goes with the gauge.

 

[RegionRat]

I'm new to reloading. Actually starting this year. I have two Ruger revolvers and hope to add one more. I actually don't know if I need something like that or not. But I want to be certain of any loaded ammo I use. So trying to figure out which one(s), if any, I should get.

I'll show a link to the ones I recommend when/if one of these tools is desired, which isn't to say you do or do not need one.
https://www.armanov.com/shop/catego...73b2Y8pGlt235BkkxrUjAsU1xljA4lanrAQIb0r0N-Ufn

The reliability of feed and function for some folks is very important when they are competing in the pistol or action games. These are not rookie topics, but some folks climb their learning curve fast and want to be able to avoid malfunctions while in the heat of competition. YMMV

 

[SSL]

I'm new to reloading. Actually starting this year. I have two Ruger revolvers and hope to add one more. I actually don't know if I need something like that or not. But I want to be certain of any loaded ammo I use. So trying to figure out which one(s), if any, I should get.

Your call on buying these, but with revolvers especially, just properly size the case, load to be able to crimp the case mouth into the bullet cannelure, check to see that the loaded round isn't longer than the cylinder and you are good to go.

 

[Leo_B]

Thanks for the helpful replies. It sounds like this is more for the fancy advanced stuff when competing or otherwise needing that last .0001" measure, not for a guy plinking and having fun. I think I'll pass on this idea unless/until something comes up that shows me I need it after all. Thanks again.