Wilson Case Length Guage

[Morrey]

I have been reading that a Wilson Case Length and Headspace Gauge (or similar) is helpful when sizing once fired brass from a different bolt action rifle in .30-06. It supposedly helps check my die adjustment when setting up the die to know how deeply my equipment is sizing and setting the case shoulder which impacts headspace. Additionally, my reading says that this gauge will also check my trim to overall case length.

I understand the value to use this gauge to setup the dies from the start. I also suppose this gauge would also be beneficial to check my prepped cases either for spot checking or case by case. Do lots of hand loaders of .30-06 use this gauge, and even though its only $35, is this a valuable tool or a gimmick?

 

[jwrowland77]

Lots of folks use them, and rely on them. My thoughts are, I have a $350+ case gauge sitting right there in my safe that the ammo needs to fit.

With pistol I plunk test. With rifle, I start my resizing die long and slowly work in until the case by itself chambers easily, just barely past the point where I really have to push on the bolt to chamber the case. It's always worked for me, and I never overwork the brass.

 

[MtnCreek]

It will tell you if your cartridge headspace is within spec. IMHO, a tool that can assign a measurement to that is more useful. Check out the Hornady cartridge headspace tool that you use with calipers.

 

[Rule3]

It's $27.00. It will help with setting the shoulder and proper setting up of your dies.

It will also check OAL but your calipers are better for that.

Once fired in your bolt rifle you can get by with just neck sizing (for a while) as the brass is formed to YOUR rifle, Eventually you will need to full size and trim.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/685086/le-wilson-case-length-headspace-gage-30-06-springfield

 

[VINTAGE-SLOTCARS]

Using a case gauge is much faster than loading every round through the gun, and safer.

 

[murf]

the gauge doesn't actually measure the col. it shows excess neck length on one end and allowable case headspace (datum line to head length) on the other end. if you want col, just use a pair of calipers.

murf

 

[cfullgraf]

The Wilson and Dillon rifle case gauges check over all length of the case and the shoulder position.

They do not check the body diameter as they are cut generously in that dimmension.

In other words, a case that fits in these gauges may not chamber in your rifle.

They are great for what they are designed to measure.

There are one or two other manufactures of rifle case gauges that do also measure the body diameter if you also want/need to check that. If I remember correctly, Sheridan Engineering is one.

 

[243winxb]

Head to Datum measurement- comparator

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=12897/GunTechdetail/Gauging_Success___Minimum_Headspace_and_Maximum_COL Hornady . Or you can take a 40 S&W case, and get fired and sized measurements using a vernier caliper. Also works for 308 and 243win. maybe others with the same datum diameter. 30-06 in photo. Walkalong makes nice ones. Subtract the length of the 40 case if you wish.

 

[jwrowland77]

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=...g_Success___Minimum_Headspace_and_Maximum_COL Hornady . Or you can take a 40 S&W case, and get fired and sized measurements using a vernier caliper. Also works for 308 and 243win. maybe others with the same datum diameter. 30-06 in photo. Walkalong makes nice ones. Subtract the length of the 40 case if you wish.

That's similar to what I do. I use my Hornady Comparator set, and just find the piece that slips over the mouth of the case and fits midway on the shoulder. Works great.

 

[Walkalong]

A good read here:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=759018&highlight=Headspace+Gauges

 

[exbrit49]

Never load a necked cartridge without a Wilson Gage

Many years ago, more than I want to admit, I reloaded my first rifle cartridge, for my newly acquired 30/30 Win. I loaded up about 40 rounds and then went to the range. First couple shots were OK and then when I went to eject the third one I found a case head separation! Not pretty!!! Checked the other couple pieces of brass I had fired and could see serious stretching had occurred just forward of the rim. Being a novice back, then I went searching for the reason and an old friend measured my loads and and the case neck was set back almost .020 too far.
Had to tear down the balance of the batch and then re-load them with a soft load and fire form the brass again. I immediately ordered the first of many Wilson gauges and set up the dies using the gauge and my rifle. It gave me excellent results. After that, each time I got another rifle of a different caliber I also purchased the Wilson gauge for the new caliber. I will NEVER load a necked cartridge without using a gauge, and believe that their use saved me a lot of grief.
Merry Christmas to all and safe shoooting

 

[Reloadron]

You may want to give this thread a read. Pretty much covers a wide range of case gauges and what you can and can not learn from the data they give you.

The Wilson gauge is what I call a Go/NoGo gauge in that the gauge alone does not provide numbers, it can when its use is combined with other gauges but stand alone it tells you if a cartridge case is or is not within SAAMI specifications.

Ron

 

[sirgilligan]

I have the Wilson gauges for .223 and for .30-06. I use the gauge to setup my small base resizing dies. I resize a case, drop it into the gauge while holding the case vertically and use my finger nail or straight edge to see if the case head is where it should be. I adjust the die if needed.

Then after resizing, I take each case and put in the the gauge and sit it on a flat surface and run my finger nail over it to check length. When I find one too long I use it to setup my hand trimmer.

Now if someone would make a magnetic attachment to the gauge that is a piece of metal with a cut out in the side you could snap on the attachment and check overall all length when the bullet is seated and look into the cut out and visually see if you have set the bullet too deep (there could be marks on it or some form of indicator). If this attachment existed you could reload in spec ammunition without ever getting the calipers out.

 

[fguffey]

The Wilson gauge is what I call a Go/NoGo gauge in that the gauge alone does not provide numbers, it can when its use is combined with other gauges but stand alone it tells you if a cartridge case is or is not within SAAMI specifications.

I disagree, the Wilson case gage is as precision as a gage can be. The ability of the person using it is the limiting factor. from the beginning Wilson suggested using a pocket rule, that had to be back in the mid 50s.

It was suggested the pocket rule/straight edge be used with the Wilson case gage.

F. Guffey

 

[fguffey]

the gauge doesn't actually measure the col. it shows excess neck length on one end and allowable case headspace (datum line to head length) on the other end. if you want col, just use a pair of calipers.

Murf, then there is that part that is overlooked, reloaders get their information from a reloading book. The length of the case information that is available. The trim to length is also available. Then there are those chambers that have long chambers from the shoulder to the datum. When trimming I add the long chamber length to the case length. If the additional length is the is datum it is not necessary to trim. Again, I have one chamber that has an additional .016" length between the shoulder of the chamber and bolt face. The Wilson case will allow the reloader to keep up with all of that information.

F. Guffey

 

[dragon813gt]

I have them for every rifle cartridge I reload for. They are an invaluable tool when converting cases. I would not be w/out them.

 

[Reloadron]

I disagree, the Wilson case gage is as precision as a gage can be. The ability of the person using it is the limiting factor. from the beginning Wilson suggested using a pocket rule, that had to be back in the mid 50s.

It was suggested the pocket rule/straight edge be used with the Wilson case gage.

F. Guffey

Disagree all you like. My point is and remains the gauge does not give any quantitative number. Precision is a measure of repeatability depending on how you want to define it. It's a mechanical gauge and not likely to change so I would certainly agree if I compare it to a standard it will always repeat or have a high measure of repeatability. Yes, I am familiar with using a straight edge or pocket rule. My point is without any other gauging you don't get a number making the gauge a Go/NoGo gauge. That is as good as it gets. It remains suggested by Wilson to use a straight edge:

From our friends at Wilson in part:

To set cases to SAMMI specifications:
1. Wipe all grease from inside of gage and from gaging surfaces. Look into the gage to see that it is free of grease or foreign matter.
2. Hold the gage in a horizontal position and insert a resized case about half way into the gage. With the forefinger push the case quickly into the gage
so that it stops with a "plunk."
3. Now hold the gage vertically and check position of the case head in relation to the gaging surfaces. The head should not be below the lower step nor
above the upper step. Ideal length for a properly headspaced rifle should be half way between or slightly closer to the upper step. A narrow, straight
instrument, like a steel scale, will be of assistance in checking cone-to-head length.
4. Place the edge of the scale squarely on the case head and over the lower step. If there is clearance between edge of scale and lower step you are
assured that the cone-to-head length is above the minimum required. With the edge of the scale resting on the upper steps, if there is clearance
between scale and case head the cone-to-head length is below the maximum limit allowed.

The Headspace end is a .005" groove and the Length End is a .010" groove. You can eyeball with a straight edge but short of a straight edge and additional gauge all you know is the case either is or is not in SAAMI specification. This is why I say it is a Go/NoGo gauge. If a case falls between the upper and lower groove it is within tolerance or SAAMI specification for that particular case.

I do strongly agree that the results obtained when using this type gauge are only as good as the person using the gauge. That is true of much similar mechanical gauging. I see it as all about technique exhibited by the user.

Ron

 

[joem1945]

I have quite a few case gauges. I use them when I set up my dies to load a round. If i change the bullet, I'll try a loaded round to make sure it will chamber. I have had to make a case gauge since Wilson wouldn't make it and I was having trouble getting them to chamber. Had a smith make one for 7.62X54R that I reload for my SVT 40.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

Checkout Sheridan Engineering

I started using their gauges when I started reloading 300 blackout. I will not be without them now. As someone mentioned the Wilson gauge will give you overall length. The Sheridan Gauge is milled to chamber spec and will ensure that the round will chamber in any rifle and I have done plenty of testing with it and found this to be true. If it won't fit in a Sheridan Gauge it will not fit in your rifle.

My first use of the Sheridan payed for itself, as I was sent a bunch of cutdown IVI brass for 300 blackout usage which is to thick, the brass did not fit in my gauge and would not fit in two of the rifles chambered I had for testing. I quickly sent the brass back and the manufacturer has since stopped using the IVI brass. After seeing my article he and I had email conversations and he purchased a Sheridan Gauge and uses it for QA purposes now.

http://www.dayattherange.com/?page_id=3807

I am not affiliated with Sheridan at all, but I really believe in their product.

 

[fguffey]

You can eyeball with a straight edge but short of a straight edge and additional gauge all you know is the case either is or is not in SAAMI specification.

I do not load for SAAMI chambers, I load for my chambers. I start by deterring the length of the chamber from the shoulder to the bolt face. It is possible my case will protrude from the Wilson case gage .005" after firing. To avoid case stretch between the case head and case body I form cases to fit my chamber.

F. Guffey

 

[murf]

fguffey,

how do you tell if the case neck is too long?

murf

 

[fguffey]

Murf, the chamber has a length from the beginning of the throat to the bolt face. I want to know the length of the chamber, I want to cover the chamber with the case.

I form cases that are long necked with short bodies, meaning the shoulder of the case can not contact the shoulder of the chamber. to determine the length of the chamber I start chambering the case, when the neck contacts the end of the chamber the bolt stops. When the bolt stops I remove the case and trim. When determining the length of the chamber from the shoulder to the bolt face I do not need cases with necks.

I understand everyone insist on measuring the length of a case with a dial caliper. to me that is done with total disregard for the design of the Wilson case gage. I have cases that appear to be too long, the cases are .16" longer than the case length of a 30/06. Not a problem, the chamber is long from the shoulder of the chamber to the bolt face. The chamber length is normal when measured from the shoulder forward.

Several case trimmers are set up on the shoulder with total disregard for the length of the case body from the shoulder to the case head.

F. Guffey

 

[Reloadron]

I do not load for SAAMI chambers, I load for my chambers. I start by deterring the length of the chamber from the shoulder to the bolt face. It is possible my case will protrude from the Wilson case gage .005" after firing. To avoid case stretch between the case head and case body I form cases to fit my chamber.

F. Guffey

I am well aware of that as you have made it clear in numerous post regarding case gauges. That is all well and fine and many of us do the same.

My point with all of this was and still is that while the Wilson Case Gauge is a good tool and a worthwhile tool for any reloader that unless used with other gauging, for example a straight edge combined with a feeler gauge, the Wilson gauge is a Go/NoGo and that is as good as it gets. It when used stand alone does not give any numbers. That was and remains my point.

Ron

 

[murf]

fguffey,

thx for the explanation. good idea on the shoulder based neck trimmer. different head-to-shoulder lengths will give different neck lengths with normal trimmers indexing off the case head.

murf