Gunsmithing Are All Headspace Gauges Created Equal ?

[Doug308]

Are the different brands of gauges all ground to the exact SAAMI specs ?

If I had a .308 GO Gauge from PTG, Manson, Forster, Clymer, would all of them measure exactly the same ?

 

[Deleted member 10043]

I have some that are from different makers for the same caliber. All you have to do is measure them to see they are within specs.

 

[FisherT&C]

They may all be slightly different. The general rule with headspace gauges is not to mix brands to make a Go/ No Go set.

 

[DAVETOOLEY]

There is a +/- tolerance that is allowed by SAAMI.
So to answer your question. No they probably wouldn't measure the same.

 

[Deleted member 10043]

They may all be slightly different. The general rule with headspace gauges is not to mix brands to make a Go/ No Go set.

I agree but that wasn't always or is the case where supply isn't meeting demand. So, measure twice headspace once. I've not experienced a problem with gauges from two different manufactures. As long as they are within specs than WTF. Hell, I've measured new brass cases that were within tolerances. Probably for good reason.

 

[LRI]

I can answer your question OP with a firm NO. I have at least 4 individual GO gauges (all in the same cartridge) made by a single manufacturer and not a single one of them is like the other.

They are within the SAAMI guideline, but the gauge line to case head distance is different.

 

[Easy_E]

On a side note who sells ring gauges to check the go/nogo gauges ? We just had an issue with rented 17 fireball gauges the reamer print give the case size with a certain ring gauge .

 

[yosemite_sam]

Reviving old thread…I’d like to get a 0.330 ring gauge so I can check my 5.56 headspace gauges but nobody makes one.

 

[Ludasmith]

Reviving old thread…I’d like to get a 0.330 ring gauge so I can check my 5.56 headspace gauges but nobody makes one.

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[smoothy8500]

They make them....but you're going to pay through the nose for it.

If you don't trust your gauges (dropped/damaged), toss them and buy new ones from a qualified mfr.

 

[yosemite_sam]

They make them....but you're going to pay through the nose for it.

If you don't trust your gauges (dropped/damaged), toss them and buy new ones from a qualified mfr.

Well I recently had a Forster 1.4636 nato 5.56 GO gauge not close on a brand new ar barrel and bolt. Yes i removed spring/extractor.

Sent it to Noveske and their PTG set chambers the 1.4636/1.4646/1.4656 gauges.

Guess i should toss the Forster gauge. Apparent PTG’s service sucks and Manson is the way to go. Thoughts?

 

[FuhQ]

Just get a set of Dave Manson gauges and call it a day.