Which neck wall thickness gauge to use???

[dkhunt14]

If you are relying of the ratchet clutch ("click stop") to measure you will end up with unreliable readings; the ratchet clutch is for protection of the instrument. It takes a bit of practice to develop a consistent 'touch' with a micrometer but once you do it will be fast and you will be able to be more precise with your measurements.

I can hold .0001 readings with my K&M Mitutoyo ratchet. It is very consistant. You just need to ease up on it and go slow. Matt

 

[nmkid]

Don't forget a micrometer stand. I use the one from Grizzly products. About $20 and it swivels.

 

[DngBat7]

Thanks everyone. I would have bought the wrong thing if it weren’t for you all!

 

[Chuckhunter]

Dan, I also use the Mitutoyo ball Mic and as Matt said, I can hold to within .0001 The more you use it the more consistent you become and your speed will increase. It's an excellent tool,

 

[misterc01]

I first bought an RCBS Vernier Ball Micrometer (looks like a Mitutoyo) and a hands-free stand. I later picked up a Hornady Concentricity Gauge, then added the Neck Wall Thickness Gauge. because it was faster to measure cases, but the changing back and forth got old. I was looking at getting a Sinclair or Redding gauge to speed things up, and then on eBay I ran across a Hornady Concentricity Gauge for a great (cheap) price. So I bought it, swapped in the Neck Wall Thickness Gauge, and now have it as a stand alone. I can breeze thru measuring, and if there is quesition on a measurement, I fall back and double-check on the RCBS. I segregate my brass into .012, .013, 014 and .015 lots, neck turn them for uniformity, and use the correct bushing die to get my neck tension standardized on them.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I understand using that type of measuring to set up a neck turner but I really prefer to seat a bullet and measure the od of the case with the bullet I plan to use seated. Ultimately, it's the only measurement that matters and is the most accurate way to measure it. Tubing mics and the other systems are ok but are less accurate and then you double any inaccuracies by stacking of the tolerances when you say, .0105 x 2 plus bullet diameter, for example. So, a couple of tenths becomes .0004 or so, etc. That nearly half thou can be the difference in good to go or too tight. It may well be the most critical measurement involved in good handloading. Just my 2 cents worth. I know I'm rowing against the stream bringing this up but it's really common sense to use the most accurate method on the most critical measurement you'll likely do reloading.

 

[johara1]

You have to allow for the out of round bullets then..... lol.... jim

 

[jepp2]

http://kmshooting.com/mitutoyo-micrometer.html This is the one that dkhunt14 spoke of and is Excellent because as he’s stated it allows close measurements to the neck shoulder junction.

I started with the standard Mitutoyo without the modification. While I like the mic, on some cases like 20 Practical, it was an issue. I now have the K&M modified one, and wouldn't use anything else.

Just me, but I never really saw the need for a stand.

 

[Burnt Powder]

Keep an eye out on EBay for a good ball, spindle, or tubing mic. I’ve bought quite a few precision measuring tools for really reasonable prices. It appears that some tool rooms and tool makers have gone to optical comparators and digital readout, selling off really great old school tools.

 

[B23]

I like this one from Sinclair
https://www.sinclairintl.com/reload...r-starret-case-neck-micrometer-prod38096.aspx

I've had this one for a few years now and it has served me well.

 

[Fotheringill]

I use the i-gaging ball micrometer. It suits my needs for wall thickness of bottleneck cartridges. It is consistent whether hand held or on a $20 stand.

 

[anschuter2013]

I also have the iGaging digital tubing micrometer. I was skeptical because of the $65 price tag, but it turned out to be quite accurate. They sell 2 different models, One with a black plastic thimble ratchet and One with Gold anodized thimble ratchet. I bought the Gold anodized model.

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