GO gauge

ndking1126 · May 31, 2011, 06:15 PM

Can't you use a commercially loaded, unfired round as a "go" gauge? I can buy a no-go gauge, but I'm pretty cheap and would rather buy a box of bullets instead of a go gauge.

Thanks.

Jimro · May 31, 2011, 07:21 PM

You can do that, but ammunition has a +/- tolerance built into it. Ackley mentioned using that technique but recommended against it.

What I did for a cheap "go" guage was a full length resize of once fired brass on my resizing die, plugged the primer hole and filled it with epoxy. That way the brass wouldn't deform if it was put into a chamber that was cut too short. This is useful when cutting a chamber specifically for your reloading setup.

Jimro

taylorce1 · May 31, 2011, 07:23 PM

I've heard of it being done, but I don't recommend it. If you don't want to purchase the gage, then you can rent them from 4D Reamers for a few dollars. If you are looking for something in a .308 based cartridge I could loan you mine as long as you promise to return them.

kraigwy · May 31, 2011, 07:59 PM

Foster gages are pretty dern cheap, not somewhere I want to "make do."

kraigwy · May 31, 2011, 08:33 PM

Sorry, double tap

ndking1126 · May 31, 2011, 10:16 PM

Thanks taylorce1 for the recommendation on renting, I didn't know that would be an option.. I haven't decided just yet what caliber, but likely it will be .223. Either way, I'm going to be away from my rifles for about a year, so nothing is going to happen right now. The number two contender has always been a .243, maybe I'll take you up that when I get back.

I'll probably end up buying my own since all you guys came back with basically the exact same answer. Thanks for a good safety check, sometimes my brain gets me in trouble

wogpotter · June 1, 2011, 07:35 AM

NO!
Cases have variations, if you doubt this buy a box of the most high end loads you can find & measure them for the shoulder.
Dies don't have variations, that's why they are
a) expensive ($25~$30) &
b) made of a stable material that won't change like tool steel.

Use the right tool for the job or you may find out the hard way you ruined a $5.000 knife skinning a **** for a nickel.

May 31, 2011, 06:15 PM	#1
ndking1126 Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2008 Location: Madison, AL Posts: 1,932	GO gauge Can't you use a commercially loaded, unfired round as a "go" gauge? I can buy a no-go gauge, but I'm pretty cheap and would rather buy a box of bullets instead of a go gauge. Thanks.

May 31, 2011, 07:21 PM	#2
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	You can do that, but ammunition has a +/- tolerance built into it. Ackley mentioned using that technique but recommended against it. What I did for a cheap "go" guage was a full length resize of once fired brass on my resizing die, plugged the primer hole and filled it with epoxy. That way the brass wouldn't deform if it was put into a chamber that was cut too short. This is useful when cutting a chamber specifically for your reloading setup. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

May 31, 2011, 07:23 PM	#3
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,249	I've heard of it being done, but I don't recommend it. If you don't want to purchase the gage, then you can rent them from 4D Reamers for a few dollars. If you are looking for something in a .308 based cartridge I could loan you mine as long as you promise to return them. __________________ NRA Life Member

May 31, 2011, 07:59 PM	#4
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	Foster gages are pretty dern cheap, not somewhere I want to "make do." __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

May 31, 2011, 08:33 PM	#5
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	Sorry, double tap __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

May 31, 2011, 10:16 PM	#6
ndking1126 Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2008 Location: Madison, AL Posts: 1,932	Thanks taylorce1 for the recommendation on renting, I didn't know that would be an option.. I haven't decided just yet what caliber, but likely it will be .223. Either way, I'm going to be away from my rifles for about a year, so nothing is going to happen right now. The number two contender has always been a .243, maybe I'll take you up that when I get back. I'll probably end up buying my own since all you guys came back with basically the exact same answer. Thanks for a good safety check, sometimes my brain gets me in trouble

June 1, 2011, 07:35 AM	#7
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	NO! Cases have variations, if you doubt this buy a box of the most high end loads you can find & measure them for the shoulder. Dies don't have variations, that's why they are a) expensive ($25~$30) & b) made of a stable material that won't change like tool steel. Use the right tool for the job or you may find out the hard way you ruined a $5.000 knife skinning a **** for a nickel. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”