Go - No go gauges

[I Dont Care About You]

The nice thing about the proper GO / NO GO gauges is that when they hit the limit, it is a hard stop, that is very clear demarcation point. The bolt handle will simply stop with no mush or crush. Thus, when the headspace is wrong, you know it and when it is within spec, you also know it.

The use of a brass case and/or tape is very inaccurate and the end points of the measurement range become soft and mushy. Then there is the problem of not knowing if the case being used is within the SAAMI headspace range.

The cost of a set of gauges is not that much. Saving money by half-assing the headspace gauges is a false economy that simply does not make sense. Get the proper tool for the job.

 

[TRDJer]

I've ordered gauges from Brownells.

 

[hunter-4-life]

This is wildly inaccurate.

Brass cases are soft and tape is also soft so it is easy to miss the gauge. Also, relying on a sized case means the rifle is being built to whatever the sizing die is set to. Could be SAAMI, could not be? Who knows.

As shooters we spend a lot of time discussing rifle BOOMS and endlessly debate the difference between 223 and 556 and yet apparently we cheap out on the one tool that will ensure a properly headspace rifle. Seems like a silly thing to try to save money on.

I never said it was the golden rule, im just stating what ive read on other forums and seen on Youtube a handful of times thats all. It doesnt mean just go do it, it was merely a suggestion that ive seen guys do in the past if theyre in a bind. Im not saying I would do it, or telling guys that they should do it.

I believe it was Ultimate Reloader on youtube has done it on a couple of his rifle builds, and then confirmed it with his go/no go gauge and it was within spec.

Again, i'm not saying to do it, OP can do what he wants. Would I do it? Probably not, but it has been done.

 

[Potashminer]

... relying on a sized case means the rifle is being built to whatever the sizing die is set to. Could be SAAMI, could not be? Who knows.
...

Is what I did on purpose for a 9.3x57 barrel that I put onto a Husqvarna Model 648 receiver - I could not find anywhere with 9.3x57 GO gauges for sale, nor any 9.3x57 factory ammo to buy. At the time, some dimensions from Norma and dimensions from CIP were different - so I did not know for sure which was correct, to get a GO gauge ground. I realized this thing would only ever be seeing brass that I re-formed and re-loaded in this die set and this shell holder - so I re-formed and created 6 cases that I used to set this chambered barrel - I do not care if it is to SAAMI or CIP standards - I do not care if my re-loads will fit into anyone else's rifle, or if their re-loads fit into this one. But I know this brass fits properly to this chamber, and I make more as needed.