Do Headspace Gauge brands matter

**at4rxj** · 03-19-2020, 03:38 PM

High level summary - both would be good for beginners and for a cheap double check / insurance, but for an experienced gunsmith or precise / known tolerances a different method could be used. Is that fair?

**Ted_Feasel** · 03-19-2020, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by at4rxj

High level summary - both would be good for beginners and for a cheap double check / insurance, but for an experienced gunsmith or precise / known tolerances a different method could be used. Is that fair?

I think it's fair if I understand what your saying lol.. just for my clarity.. your saying the feeler gauge method is ok for non precision or just a ameture gunsmith not to concerned with precision but if you want precision then go with a matched set of go/no go?? If that's what your saying I would say that is a fair statement:) btw, not intending to be argumentative or condescending, honestly just wanting to know if I understood what you meant

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**oley55** · 03-19-2020, 06:24 PM

Mentally, I was just about "all in" on using a feeler gauge with a GO gauge to check for NO-GO until today, when I mic'ed my 30+ year old (no name) Made in the USA (and rust free) feeler gauges. The .002"=.0036", .003=.0052", .004=.004"!!!???!!! Having measured the .002 and .003, I was about convinced my cheapo Lyman 1" micrometer was having issues. That was until I measured the .004" and it was dead on. I guess the moral of this story is; "not all feeler gauges are created equal", USA made or otherwise.

So buying some high end feeler gauges to cut up to save buying a Forster NO-GO gauge for $28.50 doesn't seem quite so frugal to me now.

It would be interesting to know if +/- .002" is the acceptable standard for feeler gauges.

**Ted_Feasel** · 03-19-2020, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by oley55

Mentally, I was just about "all in" on using a feeler gauge with a GO gauge to check for NO-GO until today, when I mic'ed my 30+ year old (no name) Made in the USA (and rust free) feeler gauges. The .002"=.0036", .003=.0052", .004=.004"!!!???!!! Having measured the .002 and .003, I was about convinced my cheapo Lyman 1" micrometer was having issues. That was until I measured the .004" and it was dead on. I guess the moral of this story is; "not all feeler gauges are created equal", USA made or otherwise.

So buying some high end feeler gauges to cut up to save buying a Forster NO-GO gauge for $28.50 doesn't seem quite so frugal to me now.

It would be interesting to know if +/- .002" is the acceptable standard for feeler gauges.

I say this with no source to back it up but I would think feelers should be within .000X but as unsaid I really dont know.. I have some really nice sets my dad left me, I'll mic them and see what I get

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**mnbogboy2** · 03-19-2020, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by oley55

Mentally, I was just about "all in" on using a feeler gauge with a GO gauge to check for NO-GO until today, when I mic'ed my 30+ year old (no name) Made in the USA (and rust free) feeler gauges. The .002"=.0036", .003=.0052", .004=.004"!!!???!!! Having measured the .002 and .003, I was about convinced my cheapo Lyman 1" micrometer was having issues. That was until I measured the .004" and it was dead on. I guess the moral of this story is; "not all feeler gauges are created equal", USA made or otherwise.

So buying some high end feeler gauges to cut up to save buying a Forster NO-GO gauge for $28.50 doesn't seem quite so frugal to me now.

It would be interesting to know if +/- .002" is the acceptable standard for feeler gauges.

Maybe both tools are errant?
Buy the no-go and be done with it.
You don't need measuring tools at all other than the chamber gauges.
Here's one to ponder on I have a PTG go gauge that is laser etched 257 roberts ackley improved 40°. It is .018 shorter than it is supposed to be. Or the dies I've used for 15 years are .018 deep. After reaming to match the dies fired brass measures to print so the go-gauge was obviously marked wrong and is meant for something else.
Trust but verify!

**oley55** · 03-19-2020, 07:58 PM

Yea, I already did order GO and NO-GO gauges. I was just sharing an observation about feeler gauges and the "trust, but verify".

**Robinhood** · 03-19-2020, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by oley55

Yea, I already did order GO and NO-GO gauges. I was just sharing an observation about feeler gauges and the "trust, but verify".

After a couple of hundred barrel swaps you refine what works best for you and what you have learned to be inefecteive. Like how we learned who will call on the moderators when someone gets their feelings hurt. North to AK.

**oley55** · 03-19-2020, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by Robinhood

Like how we learned who will call on the moderators when someone gets their feelings hurt. North to AK.

Pretty sure you lost me at that last turn off Samples Creek, now I'm lost on the marsh somewhere near the Nassau River.

**Dave Hoback** · 03-20-2020, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Robinhood

After a couple of hundred barrel swaps you refine what works best for you and what you have learned to be inefecteive. Like how we learned who will call on the moderators when someone gets their feelings hurt. North to AK.

LMFAO!! Silly Libtards, guns are us deplorables!

But yes, Robin is dead on correct! With experience, you just KNOW what works for you & what doesn’t. And that’s not to say everyone does it the same way either. Good results are good results.