The Accurate Reloading Forums
Caliper recommendation
26 June 2020, 08:13
Beretta682ECaliper recommendation
What caliper is recommended for measuring groups.
I am using a $3 harbor freight one and need to upgrade. The harbor freight ones are cheap and I lose a bunch.
Looking for something electronic and stainless steel.
Thanks,
Mike
26 June 2020, 09:37
Beretta682EI found a rcbs caliper in my box of unopened reloading stuff.
I will use it till I lose or break it.
Will be on the look out for a good caliper.
Mike
just a thought, but you might try using "Range Buddy" or some similar phone based app to snap pictures and get automatic group sizes identified.
26 June 2020, 20:38
Peter ConnanWhat do you use to measure OAL and other things while loading, and why not use them?
28 June 2020, 06:43
PeglegStarrett
The only easy day is yesterday!
02 July 2020, 07:49
tsturmquote:
Originally posted by Pegleg:
Starrett
We use INSIZE.
These are available here, and are extremely accurate and reasonable priced.
Starret are great, but are ridiculously expensive here.
We use INSIZE measuring tools of all types, including a bench mounted micrometer that goes to 5 places of decimal.
06 July 2020, 10:28
BaxterBI’ve got a Mitutoyo that’s damn good.
quote:
Originally posted by Beretta682E:
What caliper is recommended for measuring groups.
I am using a $3 harbor freight one and need to upgrade. The harbor freight ones are cheap and I lose a bunch.
Looking for something electronic and stainless steel.
Thanks,
Mike
Mike your problem is the operator.....
09 July 2020, 07:04
Beretta682Equote:
Originally posted by JTEX:
quote:
Originally posted by Beretta682E:
What caliper is recommended for measuring groups.
I am using a $3 harbor freight one and need to upgrade. The harbor freight ones are cheap and I lose a bunch.
Looking for something electronic and stainless steel.
Thanks,
Mike
Mike your problem is the operator.....
Most likely - I never had to a take a course in caliper use.
Besides it is to measure and send you my blaser groups. You don’t like my $3 harbor freight plastic one. Fu@king elitist
Mike
11 July 2020, 16:14
J_ZolaWe have close to fifty at work that I get checked for calibration. The mitatoya give me the least problems. I like the coolant proof ones. MSC or Travers usually have them on sale.
16 July 2020, 09:08
Jason P#1- Starrett
#2- Mitutoyo
I have taught Machining Technology for 19 years. When I was hired, I bought Starret dial calipers. They are still going strong.
My son was just hired as a Machinist. His co-workers recommended digital mitutoyo. He bought the Mitutoyo and likes them.
It’s hard to go wrong with either. Starrett products are quality and well made.
31 July 2020, 01:44
crbutlerOdds are anything further down than a tenth of an inch in the absence of some sort of centering device is statistically meaningless.
Can you reproduce your measurements with the calipers down to 0.01”?
If not, don’t bother with calipers, a simple plastic ruler is adequate.
11 August 2020, 21:44
Ireload3I worked in manufacturing 50 years and 10 years of that I set up and managed the calibration labs at 2 different companies.
Starrett dial calipers were basic trash can material because there were no repair option or parts available.
Mitutoyo dial calipers were much more dependable.
I avoided all digital calipers due to dead batteries and poor repair capability.
If you cannot afford the Mitutoyos just get the $20 stainless calipers at Harbor Freight.
They are durable and accurate enough for handloading. If they give you trouble just toss them and buy new ones. Mine are 20 years old and still work well though they have had heavy use.
NRA Patron Life Member Benefactor Level
08 March 2021, 18:29
cgbachI have a fairly new Starrett dial caliper and it is not repeatable at all, very sad. I have a Mitutoyo Digimatic 500-196 that I use for about everything. Battery life is almost forever. You can leave it on 24/7 and it seems to make no difference. I also have an older Mitutoyo 500-323 that has really short battery life. My Starrett digital dial indicator is about useless, its battery life is measured in a very few days.
C.G.B.
The dial on a mechanical caliper rides on a rack, like a straightened-out gear.
If you get dirt or swarf in the teeth, not even the zero is repeatable.
Keep it microscopically clean.
I use both a mechanical Starrett and a Harbor Freight digital, both have their advantages.
I also have joe blocks and micrometers for comparison.
TomP
Our country, right or wrong. When right, to be kept right, when wrong to be put right.
Carl Schurz (1829 - 1906)
I like Mahr. This model has IP67 rating and round depth rod. This rod can go easy through flash hole for example. Both metric and imperial, large digits easy to read. Just not cheap junk. There is also wireless communication to computer if necessary. I bought the same to my friend, just without that wireless stuff.
Jiri
30 May 2021, 02:44
butchlambertMeasuring Blazer groups, well a yard stick will do.