Chamber Gauge

[260 Rem]

When a friend returned a reamer I had loaned him...he gave me a Chamber Gauge made with the reamer. Anybody with experience using these? How are you using yours?

[fps plus]

I'm assuming he made a chamber from a barrel stubb ?

[260 Rem]

Yes, but there is no rifling? So far, all I have figured is that it is handy for determining the amount of bump on the shoulder.

[fish_e_o]

that's sure neat.

i guess you can use it to make sure everything chambers (unless your bullet is too long) without loading a gun with a live round.

[double gun]

Why not ask?

[DLab]

Shoulder bump and case body fit and over all length, from datum line to base.The advantage you have with this one over manufactured ones is the cut out portion ,allows you to visually see your min./max. trim length gap in front of the neck, which may help keep carbon build up to a minimum there.
That's assuming the chamber in your barrel is exactly the same dimension as the gauge.
Other than that ,it's a nice visual aid and conversation piece.

[Mhunter51]

Lyman and Wilson make them for almost every cal. Slide your sized case in, if the rim sticks out ' proud ' of the two raised sides on the top ( photo one ) you need to push the shoulder back a tiny bit more with the sizing die. If it is deeper than the lower machined ridge you need to back off a bit on sizing die. Very quick referance gauge for reloading providing your rifle chamber is the same as the gauge chamber. A lot quicker than trying each one in your actual rifle. Lyman calls thiers ' Case length/head space gauge '.

[260 Rem]

Originally Posted by double gun

Why not ask?

Buddy gone on holiday so need to tap AO know how.

[260 Rem]

Originally Posted by Mhunter51

Lyman and Wilson make them for almost every cal. Slide your sized case in, if the rim sticks out ' proud ' of the two raised sides on the top ( photo one ) you need to push the shoulder back a tiny bit more with the sizing die. If it is deeper than the lower machined ridge you need to back off a bit on sizing die. Very quick referance gauge for reloading providing your rifle chamber is the same as the gauge chamber. A lot quicker than trying each one in your actual rifle. Lyman calls thiers ' Case length/head space gauge '.

It was cut with my reamer so the fit is the same I have in chambered barrels. When the base is flush with the little "slot" cut into the base, there is 0 headspace. I do have a set of "never used" set of Redding shell holders that can be used to vary headspace.
Indeed a nice "visual".

[qwert]

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

It was cut with my reamer so the fit is the same I have in chambered barrels. When the base is flush with the little "slot" cut into the base, there is 0 headspace.

With most similar gauges, when the case head base is flush with the bottom of the 'slot' should be maximum headspace (AKA head clearance),
and the case head base flush with the outside end of the gauge should be minimum headspace, (YMMV).

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

I do have a set of "never used" set of Redding shell holders that can be used to vary headspace.
Indeed a nice "visual".

I have three sets (# 1, 6, & 35) which covers most of the cartridges I load,
I use mine almost every time I FL resize or shoulder bump, (but not with Collet NK dies or Redding Comp micrometer NK bushing dies).
Once I have determined the proper size required by each of my rifles, I note this in my loading log.
By using the proper SH, I do not need to reset the sizing die for different rifles,
and (if desired) can allow the die to 'float' in the press (with or without an O-ring under the lock ring), as often suggested for better alignment of the case & die.
With the proper SH I find my shoulder bumps to be very consistent, if they are not it may indicate time to anneal.

I suggest you use them if you gotem, I suspect you will find them a valuable tool.
Good Luck, YMMV.

[Dean2]

Case gauges, Chamber Gauges, were built mostly for BR shooters who want to have no space ahead of the neck mouth and the neck sized so it is a perfect fit with one to two thou tension and no need to neck size the brass when fired(to do that right most need to use neck turned high grade brass). It is also designed to ensure zero headspace when loaded so no brass stretch or primer pocket issues happen.

For a hunting rifle they are overkill but still fun to have around and play with.

[densa44]

Wow that is too cool.

[260 Rem]

Interesting to see what is going on in there. Here is a bullet loaded in a split neck case so you can see where the dovetail starts to taper off ....