Handgun Cartridge Gauge

I use the Hornady single cartridge gauges. I Think the single units are less cumbersome.

Several guys on another forum have bought the multi-hole gauges, and it just seems like there's always 1 or 2 holes that don't match the others. It ticks them off because then they don't really know which hole to trust.

I've kept things simple and own a 1 hole L.E.Wilson that's been perfect for 15 years.

There are a lot of parallels here to the old adage: I'd prefer one ugly tool that works, rather than a drawer full of shiny ones that don't.

I have one, it works great.

I use the Lyman gauge for handgun. Works well. I have a couple Wilson gauges for different rifle cartridges as well as a Lyman for rifle too.

Jeff

I use only the single cartridge gauges from Lyman, Hornady, Wilson and one other, Shooters World, I think. The Lyman work the best for me. The multi cartridge gauge I've seen is made from aluminum, a disadvantage for me.

Clever idea, should have made it from steel.

Personally, I use the Wilson or Midway Gages...

From L.E. Wilson: “It is important to note that the Pistol Max Gage is based off of MAX CARTRIDGE and NOT Min Chamber.

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Lyman cut with custom tooling to SAAMI minimum chamber

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From links.

I would compare my loaded ammo diameters to SAAMI drawing, before buying a gauge. Just to see if one measurement is better then the other.

Cartridge vs chamber.

ArchAngelCD said:

I'm feeling the need for a cartridge gauge for handguns. I'm looking at a multi cartridge gauge from Lyman and was hoping someone here has used it.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1016393015?pid=464540
.

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I have one and it’s worked fine for the calibers and guns I have. But for my competition loads, one at a time is a bit much for me. I use the Hondo/Shockbottle 100 round block.

ArchAngelCD said:

Yes I know my barrel is best but I want the ammo to fit in all my pistols.

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Dumb question time... and I'm assuming we are talking straight-walled pistol cartridges here...

I have a .41 Magnum cartridge gauge, I haven't used it in many years, and in fact, I probably used it once, just because I bought the silly thing, and put it in the storage box... I've never had a problem chambering any of my .41MAG handloads evarrr across probably 8 different firearms. It's a complete non-issue. Granted, I have problems with my 1894 and slightly overlength bullets, but I knew that because I mic'ed it when working up the first loads for it (and hoped the length wouldn't be a problem, although it proved to be.)

Once in a blue moon I'll use my .45ACP or 9mm case gauge, and that is just to check headspace against a newly set crimp... otherwise all of my ammo, sized on standard dies, fits everything I shove it into.

Bottleneck cartridges are a different story, of course, but in reality I find I have very little use for case gauges in pistol cartridges.

I have the Lyman pistol and rifle multi gauge blocks. Both serve me quite well. I also have individual blocks in 9mm and .300 AAC Blackout. Pistol hasn’t really been an issue...but I’m convinced I need a cutaway gauge for Blackout so I can see WHY a round doesn’t fit.

For me I only use 3 of those calibers on the Lyman block so, I would get single gauges. I've always liked individual tools for specific jobs anyway.

I use EGW 7 hole gauges to gauge my .45 ACP and 9mm match rounds.

Since I use a couple of different pistols in each cartridge the gauge comes in handy. If they drop in the gauge they run every pistol I own.

They are inexpensive and with 7 holes it goes pretty quick.

ArchAngelCD said:

I'm feeling the need for a cartridge gauge for handguns. I'm looking at a multi cartridge gauge from Lyman and was hoping someone here has used it.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1016393015?pid=464540

Or should I stick with the L.E. Wilson single cartridge gauge?
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012791426

Yes I know my barrel is best but I want the ammo to fit in all my pistols.

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The single cartridge gauges I use are easy to handle when checking each round before placing in an ammo box. The one that didn't work at all though was the L.E. Wilson 327 Federal Magnum with .312 lead bullets or larger. I stopped trying, since the rounds invariably fit in my revolver. Still, the newer Rugers had variable chamber diameters and needed a $100+ reamer. So, you can't always be sure what your standard is except your calipers versus the book standard specs.

ArchAngelCD said:

I should have been clearer, I'm talking mostly semi-auto ammo, not revolver ammo.

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I also do 9mm, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP, 13 in total, mostly revolvers, all with gauges and having caught issues with probably all of them.

I use range brass for 9 and 45ACP. I've reloaded a lot of them again, and again, and again.
I wanted to use a case gauge on my reloaded ammo in an effort to at least cull the lumpy ones out.

My 9 and 45 reloads now get dropped in a 'caliber specific / one-at-a time' cartridge gauge.
This is my routine:

Left hand feeds the gauge. Right hand operates. Gravity unloads.

Once I got a 'feel' for it, the process was faster than I had thought it would be.

Attempting to use my method with a block style gauge would be silly.
Folks who have other methods and/or reduced dexterity might consider using a 'single-hole' gauge silly.

Just something for the OP to consider,,,

I have both single and multi, I use the single ones the most.

I have a 4 caliber EGW that I seldom use because it has no throat.
I have Lyman and Wilson steel singles that see 100% of my 9mm and .45.