7x61 S+H Lee Case Length Gauge

[Potashminer]

So, I am quite happy with the Lee case length gauge system with the little shell holder and case length gauge for each cartridge, and the spinner that goes into a drill and the cutter that attaches to the case length gauge and trims to length. I chamfer the trimmed cases with an RCBS chamfer tool - seems to work fine for me.

I recently came into a rifle, for myself, chambered in 7x61 Sharpe and Hart. Some years ago, for an acquaintance, I had made up some brass for his 7x61 S&H from Remington brand 7mm Rem Mag brass - we lost two or three, but got about 80-odd made up. We were using older Herter's dies in 7x61 and got them all to feed fine. He took a moose that fall with the rifle and our loads (IMR 4350 and Hornady 154 grain Spitzer). At the time (Jan 2017) I paid $C 39.82 by the time it got to me in Manitoba - for a "custom" case gauge from Lee Precision - they no longer regularly produce that item for 7x61 S&H. What I get for playing with these nearly defunct things, but I do enjoy the challenge!!

So I am looking at a Lee case gauge for 7mm Rem Magnum. As per Hornady 7 manual, it is 2.500-2.394 = 0.106 too long. I do not have a 7mm Rem Mag rifle, so could shorten this gauge. Has anyone done that?? How?? Grind off the pin to make shorter? Pull it out of the body and drill hole deeper? If someone has done this, please let me know what you have discovered? My first thought was to chuck it up in my lathe and then set up a dial indicator against the tool post to measure how much I remove. If there is a "smarter" way of going about this, I would like to hear!! I understand from the Lee advertising that the pin is hardened, so giving me pause as to whether it can be "cut", versus having to grind it...

 

[Workin Man]

I had one in 308 Win that was a couple thou long from the factory. I put the tip on a bench mounted belt sander and it did not take long to shorten it (a few seconds). I have a spare case length gauge in 7mm RM, the pin is only about 0.250 long before it starts to widen, so I don't think just shortening the pin would work for you. The gauge would likely bottom out against the flash hole. It looks like maybe shortening it from the other end might be an option, if the threads in the cutter are cut deep enough.

Jim

 

[Potashminer]

Good comments. The 7mm Rem Mag gauge I have here has .340" of pin sticking out from the body. The only brass I have is Norma 7x61 Super, and I get around .150" sticking out if I push that gauge all the way tight to the inside of case head. So I should have about .040" clearance on inside if I can shorten that pin exactly. Do not see a reason I could not pick up additional .025" or so, if needed, by shortening up the front end of the body - lose a bit of the taper. I do know that the original brass - 7x61 S&H Re has thicker case head, so need to consider that as well...

 

[Potashminer]

Ha! Maybe too easy - was able to get that Lee "custom" made 7x61 S&H gauge back here to use as a pattern. Does not appear to even have the separate "pin" - just appears turned out of one piece? With the shoulders that the cutter butts up to as close as I can get them, it appears the "body" of the 7mm Rem gauge not very much longer - .010" (?) - most all the difference is in the length of the pin. So grinding back the pin should make them same - if I can hit that length exactly!!!

"custom" made for 7x61 S&H in front; 7mm Rem Mag to the rear - both left end shoulders as close as I can place them... That pin of 7x61 is about .240"; on the 7mm Rem Mag is .340"