.308 winchester: best value way of checking headspace and case length while reloading

[want2learn]

Hi, I'm starting to shoot at longer distances and making progress in my reloading. Finally got a good load for my Tikka but still a long ways away for my Sig.

In an effort to produce safe, accurate & reproducible loads i've noted so many options to measure headspace and case length.... but cost is a real factor.

Wondering what people prefer to check headspace and case length.

Not really sure which method/tool is currently felt to be most appropriate.

thanks

 

[TheGerman]

To make sure its within SAAMi safe specs and for a starting point if you have nothing else, get the Wilson case gauge. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/880646/le-wilson-case-length-headspace-gauge-308-winchester

To check both fired shoulders as well as sized shoulders, get the Hornady (stoney point) gauge and a good set of repeatable calipers. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...headspace-gauge-5-bushing-set-with-comparator

 

[918v]

I use a .40 S&W case

 

[want2learn]

918V, could you perhaps explain how you utilize a .40 case to check headspace and case length. i'd appreciate it, just not familiar with the process/concept.

 

[spife7980]

The gauge for many cases is a .40 datum diameter and an empty 40 s&w case is pretty much that so you just use the brass in place of the actual hornady piece with calipers. It won't work for everything but it will on a fair number of things.

 

[918v]

Put a 40 case mouth over the neck of a 308 and it will bottom out against the shoulder. Put the caliper jaws on the caseheads of the respective cases and measure the shoulder length. Subtract the length of the 40 case to give you the actual number. Set your sizing die to bump the shoulder .002"

You don't need fancy comparators to to that.

 

[want2learn]

That's awesome...thank you

what a great forum

 

[jsthntn247]

click on the sizing brass video
https://www.wheeleraccuracy.com/videos

 

[Rob01]

If you are going to be loading for the long run then spend the money and get the right tools for the job. Might not have to do it now but having the right tools to keep proper measurement data is very useful.

For headspace
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/4...headspace-gauge-5-bushing-set-with-comparator

or

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/574297/rcbs-precision-mic-308-winchester

For OAL to ogive
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/746974/ptg-bullet-comparator-22-24-25-26-28-30-calibers

or

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2...ad-bullet-comparator-basic-set-with-6-inserts

If you do use a .40 piece of brass make sure to mark it and use the same one every time as using different ones will give you different measurements.