Wilson Case Gauge

      This is a well made case gauge that allows you to verify that the "headspace" of your handloads is in the ball park.   This particular tool is adjustable, and it helps you compare the headspace of your handloads to one of your fireformed cases.   Most of these gauges also let you compare the headspace of your handloads to the industry standard chamber.   However, this type of gauge doesn't give you an actual measurement for accurately setting die height, and you'll need to have a different gauge for every single caliber that you reload.

      I used to recommend this type of case gauge when reloading rifle calibers, because it's important to "know" that your headspace is being set correctly.   Before I came out with our Digital Headspace Gauge, this was the best method to see how your handloads would fit in your particular chamber.  

      If you push the shoulder back too far during resizing, it creates excessive head clearance.   This stretches your cases, and it will shorten the life of your brass considerably.   That can also cause case head separations, and put enormous pressure on the face of your bolt.   On the other hand, if the shoulder of your resized case doesn't get set back at all, your handloads will soon become a jam-up fit in your chamber.

      This particular case gauge is designed for a belted magnum cartridge.   That's why it's adjustable.   Factory belted ammo is designed to headspace on the belt.   However, when reloading it is far better to headspace on the shoulder, and it is important to always bump the shoulder of your cases back at least .001" - .002" to ensure a reliable fit in your chamber.   There is no accuracy gained by crushing a cartridge into your chamber.   This will only affect concentric alignment and wear the lugs on your bolt.

      Factory rifle chambers are all made within SAAMI dimensions.   However, due to the required volume of production work, the tolerances are almost never as tight as a custom chamber.   Remember, it's important to keep in mind that this type of case gauge does not check the width of your handloads, and it doesn't give you an actual measurement.   Case width problems often affect belted magnum calibers, and they can't be detected by this gauge.   If your handloads are too tight in your chamber and they measure fine with this gauge, be sure to use calipers to measure the width of your case just above the web.