Need advice on pistol case gage

[USMC87]

I was wandering what you guys use to check your revolver and pistol ammo to assure fit in various barrels? I load for several people to practice with here and want to ensure proper feed, Thank you for any help and recommendations in advance.

[wildwilly501]

I use the EGW 7 hole.Not any more $ than the other single hole ones so far so good.And I know someone will be along to tell me I'm wrong and to just use my pistol but there my shells and that's the way I like to do it.

[mdi]

Revolver rounds? I have never had a chambering problem with revolver rounds chambering, my first revolver rounds were reloaded in 1969.The only reason might be for some "short cylinder" revolvers and some long OAL loads. I have never reloaded for anyone besides myself (I wouldn't), but for my various guns the plunk test works great in all of the same caliber (3, 9mm and 3, 45 ACP)...

[Bazoo]

I use the barrel or cylinder but I don't like it. I'm in the market for a chamber gage for all the calibers I load. It's so much of a pain to unload my 45 and check one, load back up, maybe or maybe not have to check another later. I've been eyeballing the Lyman multi caliber checkers, just ain't found one used or cheap yet.

[DonMountain]

I gave up on pistol case gauges due to using my reloaded ammo in various pistols that have different cylinder, chamber and forcing cone dimensions. So, I use the "plunk test" for a certain load in a certain pistol and just keep an Overall Case Length dimension for that projectile written down so I can reset my dies to match when reloading for that pistol.

[engineer401]

I use individual cartridge overall length gauges. They are a mix of Dillon and LE Wilson. I found the Wilson gauge for 380 was real tight. Hot that reason I go to Dillon first. If Dillon doesn’t have it then I get Wilson.

[onelight]

I gave up on pistol case gauges due to using my reloaded ammo in various pistols that have different cylinder, chamber and forcing cone dimensions. So, I use the "plunk test" for a certain load in a certain pistol and just keep an Overall Case Length dimension for that projectile written down so I can reset my dies to match when reloading for that pistol.
You are right we have to make some compromises when setting up a load for multiple guns. I have light to moderate loads that will shoot in any thing I have . And also for a few guns a load tailored to just that gun , for more accuracy and or power. I shoot way more of my bulk processed ammo than the custom tailored ammo.

[gwpercle]

I use my revolver chambers/cylinder or my pistols barrel .
Just because ammo fits some gauge ...guess what...that's no guarantee it will fit in your gun.
If it doesn't fit your gun...then what ? You stuck with some stupid gauge that's about as useful as mammary glands on a boar hog .
Gary

[USMC87]

I appreciate the help guys, I am always in the learning game.

[bedbugbilly]

For what I load, I use the single hole individual gauges - but I have had them a long time well before the newer multi caliber gauge blocks. If I were doing it now, i would go with a multi cal gauge block. You might have a few holes you don"t use now, but trust me - never say you will never use some of them - new calibers and new pistols/revolvers somehow have a way of being added to the herd!

[JeffG]

I always buy the LE Wilson gauges.

[onelight]

I use my revolver chambers/cylinder or my pistols barrel .
Just because ammo fits some gauge ...guess what...that's no guarantee it will fit in your gun.
If it doesn't fit your gun...then what ? You stuck with some stupid gauge that's about as useful as mammary glands on a boar hog .
Gary

Yup I agree .

[44magLeo]

The multi hole gauges seem like a waste to me. Most have only one hole I would use. So the others are wasted.
I only have a few guns. Only one I bought a gauge for. My 91/30 Mosin Nagant in 7.62x54R. I picked up some once fired brass. After full length sizing some of the cases wouldn't chamber easily, some not at all. I bought one of Lyman's for that cartridge.
With it I figured out where the problem was. I picked up an old style Lyman Shell Sizer. The kind you use a mallet to drive the case into and out of. Use an arbor press instead of te mallet. They all fit fine now.
I may buy others if and when I have issues.
As far as getting ones for cartridges I don't own isn't worth it. I won't be getting more guns. I'm getting old and live on a limited budget.
Leo

[ioon44]

"I use my revolver chambers/cylinder or my pistols barrel."

This what I do also.

[MrWolf]

I use individual cartridge overall length gauges. They are a mix of Dillon and LE Wilson. I found the Wilson gauge for 380 was real tight. Hot that reason I go to Dillon first. If Dillon doesn’t have it then I get Wilson.

Same here. I do have duplicates of some due to differences in barrels.

[Burnt Fingers]

The multi hole gauges seem like a waste to me. Most have only one hole I would use. So the others are wasted.
I only have a few guns. Only one I bought a gauge for. My 91/30 Mosin Nagant in 7.62x54R. I picked up some once fired brass. After full length sizing some of the cases wouldn't chamber easily, some not at all. I bought one of Lyman's for that cartridge.
With it I figured out where the problem was. I picked up an old style Lyman Shell Sizer. The kind you use a mallet to drive the case into and out of. Use an arbor press instead of te mallet. They all fit fine now.
I may buy others if and when I have issues.
As far as getting ones for cartridges I don't own isn't worth it. I won't be getting more guns. I'm getting old and live on a limited budget.
Leo

EGW makes multi-hole gauges where all the holes are the same cartridge. I have them in 9mm, .357, 10mm, 44 Mag, and 45 ACP. I need to get them for 223 and 300 blackout.

[Taterhead]

I like Wilson and Dillon gauges for handgun an auto-loading rifle a lot more than I like to disassemble a gun to use the chamber or cylinder. Far more convenient.

Bolt gun brass gets fitted to each chamber, so a gauge is moot in that instance.

The caveat is that COL for an individual handgun cannot be determined by gauge. For new ammo, the chamber is used to determine COL (kerplunk). Then typically gauged thereafter.

A few exceptions like .358" 9mm ammo won't usually pass a Wilson gauge, so the chamber is used to kerplunk.

[Papercidal]

I’m a big fan of the shockbottle 100 rd case gauges once you’re done gauging your rounds you can just flip them over into a mtm box.