Pistol Case Gauge

[drakeslayer]

So I havent actually loaded any rounds as of yet and have just been acquiring equipment and components.

I will be loading
38/357 for myself
380 auto for myself and a buddy
45acp for myself and a buddy
44 mag for buddy.

I have multiple options for check case it seems
Individual case guages, case block, and of course the barrel/gun itself..oh..calipers of course
Whats everybody's preferred method? Individual guages add up quick Seems like a block, barrel, and calipers should suffice?
Do you check your finished ammo in the gun you are using it in?

Thanks in advance.

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[ARFrog]

Personally, I use a case gauge followed by plunk testing the same rounds in the barrel of the main gun I am using it in. This gives me two opportunities to visually inspect the round for case or primer irregularities. This method has worked well for me since I have found that using one barrel from one manufacturer also works in a couple of other manufacturers that I have as well.

I will say that this method takes extra time but the tradeoff for me is no problems at the range. However, I can see if one was doing very large volumes of production, then it might be impractical. Normally, for 9mm, I only do runs of 100 - 400 in a day on a progressive press.

 

[Nwcid]

The only check I have ever done is directly in the gun and that is only a sample size, not every one.

 

[DizzyJ]

I would caution you loading for someone else especially at this stage in your loading career.

As far as loading for several different pistols of the same caliber, it would probably be good to get case gauges for each caliber, precision quality calipers and personally I use the chamber itself as the final check.

 

[bentoncity]

My suggestion is to buy a case trimmer from L.E. Wilson and the caliber case holders. Set it up for the proper length and run every case through it.
Get the power adapter for the trimmer so you can run a drill on it.
It takes seconds to run a case through it. If the case is long, it'll get trimmed to the right length. If the case is short, then it's good to go. I can do this method almost as fast as using a gauge and when I'm done, there's no setting up to trim any cases. You won't like the prices but the equipment will outlast you, your kids and their kids.

Dan
The case trimmer can be set to .001 on length. My cutter has trimmed thousands without replacing it.

 

[NOLEAFCLOVER37]

Here's one that's cost effective. Can be awkward to use at first but does the job just fine.