[Beltfire]

I just wanted to mention something that really changed my reloading practices. I have been loading since my teens and was always satified with the results till I was convinsed by Ralph that I should get a case gage to check the actual size of the final results. I found that the shell holder against the bottom of the die is no guaranty of perfection. No wonder my 60 was going through cases so fast. They were sized .010 under specs. Now I use my gage religiously to reload for my 1919 and the case life has improved dramatically. If you are not using a case gage already I encourage you to get one. You will be able to load for maximum safety and efficiency. Also the gage comes in handy for checking that ammo buy you are about to make.

 

[Morning Wood]

If you were sizing .010 to small, what could even be done about other than a new sizer die.

 

[Beltfire]

If you were sizing .010 to small, what could even be done about other than a new sizer die.

Simply back off the die using the gage to check the results. I now size to B/P high and my brass lasts much longer. The gun loves it that way. My gage tells me that the fired case is growing only .005.

 

[loboslanding]

Belt, are you referring to overall case length or neck diameter or base diameter? Thx.

 

[Abwehr]

Gauge

I have a friend that has one of these gauges he uses and he SWEARS by them for all his calibers. He bought his several years ago and I think he paid about $35-40 for each caliber, but they DO work. I have a small qauntity of the Indian .308 ammo and I checked all them with this gauge to make sure the cases were formed correctly and they all passed his gauge. I wish I could remember who made them, I would like to get one for myself in .308 and 8mm since these are my two most fired rounds.

Any of you guys have a contact? Possibly Brownells?????

 

[L999here]

.308 head space gauge

I have a friend that has one of these gauges he uses and he SWEARS by them for all his calibers. He bought his several years ago and I think he paid about $35-40 for each caliber, but they DO work. I have a small qauntity of the Indian .308 ammo and I checked all them with this gauge to make sure the cases were formed correctly and they all passed his gauge. I wish I could remember who made them, I would like to get one for myself in .308 and 8mm since these are my two most fired rounds.

Any of you guys have a contact? Possibly Brownells?????

Call,get on line w/MIDWAY....they have them in stock. Also in other rifle/pistol cals. I load 115 (thats not a typo) cals. and have gauges for most of 'em. Also teach all my reloading class's to get and use 'em. You won't regret getting a gauge for every cal. you load.....Midway #(800)243-3220

 

[loboslanding]

Are we talking length or contour gages? Midway has Lyman length gages for around $15 each or a combo length gage...didn't see 8mm listed though.
308 case gage
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=271313

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=732407

 

[Abwehr]

I am not sure what the gauge is called, but I will try to find out tomorrow. My buddy at work is leaving the office now and I am still working out here on the "Left Coast". I will check with him in the morning and find out the exact name. I remember that it works like a micrometer with the barrel rotating.

Unfortunantly, I can't access the Midway website from my office computer because it is firewalled. I will try to look at it tonight if I can get to it.

 

[Beltfire]

Belt, are you referring to overall case length or neck diameter or base diameter? Thx.

The gage checks the cartridge headspace length and the overall case length. I even have one for 50BMG. 50's are really hard on brass. With the case gage I can control the sizing process and improve on case life.

 

[Beltfire]

I have a friend that has one of these gauges he uses and he SWEARS by them for all his calibers. He bought his several years ago and I think he paid about $35-40 for each caliber, but they DO work. I have a small qauntity of the Indian .308 ammo and I checked all them with this gauge to make sure the cases were formed correctly and they all passed his gauge. I wish I could remember who made them, I would like to get one for myself in .308 and 8mm since these are my two most fired rounds.

Any of you guys have a contact? Possibly Brownells?????

Wilson is the most popular producer. They can also be had from Dillon Precision.

 

[Beltfire]

Belt, are you referring to overall case length or neck diameter or base diameter? Thx.

Headspace and oal of the case.

 

[Abwehr]

Beltfire,

The name Wilson rings a bell with me. I bet that is the brand he has. Do you have a website for them?

 

[Beltfire]

Are we talking length or contour gages? Midway has Lyman length gages for around $15 each or a combo length gage...didn't see 8mm listed though.
308 case gage
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=271313

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=732407

The headspace gage is what I am refering to. Most haeadspace gages I have seen also double as oal gage at the same time.

 

[hangfire]

I'd like to add, only load to 7.62 nato pressure specs. This is 12,000 psi less than .308 win.

 

[belt fed frog]

hangfire
i belive it is the other way around NATO is 62,000 cup WIN 308 is around 50,000 cup and it isn`t PSI it is measured in Copper Units Pressure CUP

 

[hangfire]

No 7.62 has the lower max pressure and .308 win is higher. Cup's are a military
rating. Also 7.62 milspec brass is thicker than .308.

 

[123]

Here is an article on the difference between (and history of) .308 and 7.62 NATO.
It is geared more toward bolt-action rifles, but I think the numbers still apply.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/308vs762nato/index.asp

 

[balming]

Thanks 123, that is a VERY good read. I think all of us should read it.


B