do i need a 9mm max cartridge gage?
- Thread starter Sorrowbcboy
- Start date
If you are going to use any type of measuring device use the Hornady comparators they are 40 dollars from budget shooter supply (red and yellow logo above). I used one for 308 win and am returning it, will be going with the comparators tho
Definitely doable, but measuring that way takes a long time. I usually load ~500-1000 rounds at a time and like to case gauge each one. I got the Dillon single cavity case gauge when I first bought my press, and quickly moved up to a 100 cavity Shock bottle unit. It's much quicker to fill in all 100 cavities, and then do a visual check for any rounds that sit too high and also check for any sideways or upside down primers. Then it's convenient to package up 100 rounds at a time.
saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- middle of Sask
Yes, this is the easy way to check your reloads for fit. Say you can fit a 1.15" round in your magazine, that's the longest you can ever hope for in that firearm if the bullet type agrees. Now say your reload is 1.15" long and doesn't quite chamber, bump it down to 1.145" and try. Still doesn't fit? Try 1.140". When it is the right length, it will easily pop in and out (push cartridge into barrel chamber hard, turn upside down, falls out, perfect). If it hangs up, it's most likely engaging the leade/rifling.
Remember to do this with a dummy cartridge, no powder and no primer. And you don't need to do this with every single cartridge. Once you've determined the correct cartridge length, it's safe to assume the next hundred should seat the same assuming the bullets are consistent.
I'm not sure what gun you use to shoot those 9mm rounds, but my Glock 17 barrel will "pass" more rounds than my Lyman Case Gauge. I.e., the case gauge is more strict and probably much closer to SAAMI spec.
So after I reload my 9mm rounds, I'll run them through the case gauge:
1) If the round falls in and out of the case gauge smoothly, and it sits flush on it, it goes to the "good" bucket.
2) Otherwise, it goes to the "suspect" bucket
I use the ammo in the "good" bucket for matches, and the ones in the "suspect" bucket for plinking and practice.
You can use your barrel in place of a case gauge, but I find checking for "flush" is more difficult with a barrel. With the case gauge it's easier to do this by swiping your thumb across the gauge with a round inside. This way I can also double check my primer seating.
Hope this helps!
