Measuring boolits

[snaketail]

I have what will seem to many to be a dumb question.
When I use digital calipers to measure my boolits should I measure very loosely, very tightly or somewhere in between.
If I measure in a way that seems normal to me, close the calipers until they stop against the lands, - I get .451. If I measure the same boolit so the calipers barely touch the boolit I get .454.

Obviously I need some training on proper measuring procedure.

What is the correct way to measure a boolit diameter?

Thanks,
M

[Cherokee]

I measure tightly, but not to force the calipers into the metal. Sounds like your "normal" to me.

[btroj]

Get a micrometer and learn to use it. Feel is important.

calipers just aren't generally up the task you are asking them to do.

[Gtek]

Purchase a .000"-1.00" micrometer with click stop. After calibration of tool on click stop, measure and record. Six inch slide calipers with a dial on them are good/ok but can vary due to coffee intake or general mood of any given time.

[williamwaco]

+1 on the micrometer.
Calipers are not accurate enough to measure bullet diameter.

That said, The "correct" way to use the caliper is to use the little slip wheel at the bottom to close the caliper. It will slip when the correct amount of force is applied..

https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fecx.images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F31tPqS4YxcL.jpg&f=1

[RickinTN]

I might add to get a factory J-word bullet of known diameter and practice. This can help you get used to the feel.
Rick

[462]

If you want an accurate measurement, a micrometer is the preferred instrument. It has a subtle fee, so you aren't applying too much force and possibly mashing the boolit.

If close enough is good enough, a caliper is good enough.

[snaketail]

All good idea - thanks.
M

[MtGun44]

+1 on btroj. Caliper is not accurate enough for measuring boolits if you really
want to know something. OK to tell a .270 boolit from a 7mm boolit, but not
accurate enough to really do good loading work with boolits.

You need a .0001 reading micrometer (usually available for $35 or less) to do
this properly.

Bill