A while back, I had problems with my 45ACP handloads. All rounds stood about .010"-.015"+ too tall.I tried several "fixes" including new dies. I asked about the problem on the CMP forum (a lot of military cartridge reloaders) and an answer I got from an old timer; "do they fit the chamber? Any problems with extraction, ejection?". I replied "nope". He replied "Shoot them. You're shooting' them outta your gun, not a gauge!". I put the Wilson gauge in a drawer somewhere and successfully/safely/accurately fired mebbe 2k handloads through 3, 45 ACP guns...
Need Experts to Help Solve Problem
- Thread starter frjeff
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mstreddy
Member
OP, One other thing to check for in .380 ACP is your brass. Some brands have an internal ledge or step in them. What I have found is that sometimes this results in a bulging cartridge in some areas that will not gauge well, depending on the bullet that I'm using. So, for me, I cull those out and give them to a buddy that has no issues with his bullets and loads.
rfwobbly
Member
PM sent.
I've been saying this for a few decades now.
I understand that folks still want to know why their reloads fit one gauge and not another or fit their barrel and not a gauge and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
In fact, IMO it strengthens problem solving skills and working through a problem/process with common sense and process of elimination; very important skills!
But at the end of the day, no, you are not shooting your ammunition through your case gauge.
Build your ammunition for your firearm(s).
CQB45ACP
Member
I agree and to simplify for my purposes, I found a gauge which measures the same as three of my four pistols so I just have to use it.
But if I want to assure fitting in fourth pistol, I must use the barrel cause it’s the most finicky thing ever and thus not shot often.
conan32120
Member
Me personally, don't own any pistol cartridge gouges, to me it was a relatively expensive lump of metal, it so much easier to pop out a barrel from whatever pistol I'm loading for and I can use that opportunity to clean and lube the pistol too
gwpercle
Member
Gauges are just little money makers for the reloading tool manufacturers , notice there is no Gaurentee that a gauged round will fit your gun's chamber !
Then ...what is it good for ... enriching the makers pockets .
In 1967 when I learned , we didn't need them ... still don't .
Gary
Then ...what is it good for ... enriching the makers pockets .
In 1967 when I learned , we didn't need them ... still don't .
Gary
I've never found it easier to pop out a barrel in place of using a gauge...which you can keep handy next to the press. If I'm gauging after loading a batch of ammo, I'll use my Shockbottle Hundo to check 100 at a time
lordpaxman
Member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2011
- Messages
- 2,446
Man, you shouldn’t be reducing your flair, but you should be reducing your flare! It’s nice to hear you got it, can’t wait for the range report.
While SAAMI provides guidance for standardization, no manufacturer has to follow recommended dimensions or pressures. And you find, that firearms manufacturer's are creating larger and larger chambers, so they don't have complaints about their firearms functioning with reloads and poorly made factory ammunition. Cases fired in large chambers do expand to fill the space available. Fresh brass will retract a bit on first firing, but the more brass is work hardened, the less it retracts. That also becomes a problem with sizing on standard reloading equipment. At some level of brass expansion and brass hardness, our presses and dies will not be able to reduce the case heads to factory new dimensions.
Given the variation between all the factory chambers, and the fact that standard presses and dies do not have the capability to reduce some brass to factory dimensions, entrepreneurs have stepped up an offer a solution; roll sizers.
The basics are in this video
these devices have the power and leverage to swage case heads to factory new dimensions.
However, they are not cheap.
www.rollsizer.com
Given the variation between all the factory chambers, and the fact that standard presses and dies do not have the capability to reduce some brass to factory dimensions, entrepreneurs have stepped up an offer a solution; roll sizers.
The basics are in this video
these devices have the power and leverage to swage case heads to factory new dimensions.
However, they are not cheap.
Buy a Rollsizer | Rollsizer.com
The rollsizer.com rollsizers will process cases for reloading and provide top quality ammunition for the competitive shooter. If you are serious about competition, a rollsizer is a necessity for reliability and consistency.
www.rollsizer.com
JerkyFreak
Member
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2023
- Messages
- 106
At the cost of roll sizers, you can buy enough new brass to last years for the average shooter. For the the enthusiasts you can buy even more once fired brass to last even longer. Then there is us that make do with range pick-ups and never run out of brass.
I find that some equipment are solutions looking for problems.
I find that some equipment are solutions looking for problems.
