I'm reloading 243 my case length is supposed to be 2.45. I have the Lee case length gauge. Some of my cases are 2.56. The gauge won't go that low. It looks like it won't cut the case until 2.6 or longer. So is 2.5 or 2.6 acceptable. Or is something wrong with the gauge.

Trim to length 2.025 to 2.045 inches.


The above is from Lee's website.

Something is wrong somewhere.

acceptable only if the bullet has an extremely long jump.
Are you sure you have the correct cutter mandrel?
Maybe a problem with cases are they all the same brand same lot?
The pin that goes through the flash hole. is it bent?
are the cases dirty inside?
are the flash holes all the same size and located in the center of the primer pocket?

Make sure the case gauge is bottomed out and contacting the cutters.There may be metal chips in the threaded hole in the cutter handle. And this is keeping the case gauge from bottoming out.

Use a magnifying glass to make sure the base of the gauge is just contacting the cutter face. If you screw it in too far your cases will be too short.

If the gauge is screwed in all the way the pin can be sanded down until the desired case length is achieved.

I got it figured out like an idiot i didn't have the cutter threaded all the way down on the case gauge. It works as it should now

woopeee

Got 150 cases all prepped and ready for bullets. And cast my first 357 bullets. A whole day of reloading what better way to spend the day.