Concentricity Guage

Captain_coues · Sep 23, 2017

I just ordered one. I've been reloading for 25 years and have never used one. I figure I'll try it out as an attempt to produce the best. Do any of you use one? If so, have you ever found a chamber that's garbage? Is it helpful or just another one of those measuring methods that doesn't matter?

ELKOHOLIC · Sep 25, 2017

For me, It's just fun to mess around with sometimes. If I am shooting for small groups it might help me remove a bullet, but honestly I haven't ran into many bullets that are that bad. I am highly skeptical that once you try to correct the run out on a bullet that it has any positive effect. Maybe someone will chime in on that.

Cahunter805 · Sep 25, 2017

I use one and can tell you it does help accuracy to some degree. What it does help with most is to see if your sizing and seating dies are inducing runout. I've had some dies that were terrible.
Here's what I would recommend.
1- Take a fired case and measure the runout at the neck.
2- Size the case and measure the runout again.
3- Seat a bullet and measure the runout again.
I like my runout to be .000-.002.

What gauge did you buy?

Captain_coues · Sep 25, 2017

Thanks for the tip, I'll try that out. I ordered the Hornady Lock-in-Load, I struggled on which on to buy. I'm excited to try it out.

Cahunter805 · Sep 26, 2017

If I'm not mistaken the hornady model uses the bullet tip as a support point. This means you wouldn't be able to test step #1,2 from my post. You can straighten the ammo on it though. You just won't know what's causing the runout.

Captain_coues · Sep 26, 2017

What model Gauge do you have? I don't have a problem owning more than one. It might prove useful to have multiple pieces of equipment. I try not to have junk filling up the drawers and cabinets but I have found a way to make some items useful. This is the case with this hobby. I upgrade trimmers, scales and other items but keep some as a way to double and triple check. Some of the old trimmers and neck turners are perminately set to certain rifles as a result of having more than one. When it gets bad, I make a point to get rid of things.

Cahunter805 · Sep 26, 2017

I have the Sinclair gauge. The 21st century gauge is very nice also. These will allow you to measure runout in many spots not just off the bullet.
I don't recommend straightening your ammo. If it's factory then yes straighten it. If it's a handload I prefer to find the problem creating the runout and fixing it.