Your videos are excellent! Thank you! I use the RCBS Precision Mic to accomplish the same thing. I don’t own the L.E. Wilson Depth Micrometer, but I will acknowledge (based on the L.E. Wilson products I do have), their quality is top notch. And, their products are priced accordingly. While not as beautifully made, I believe the Precision Mic is very accurate and it can also measure base to ogive. Note: The Precision Mic comes with what’s called a Freebore Tool. It’s sort of a collapsible cartridge that you chamber and then measure. Most people, including Yours Truly haven’t had much luck with this piece. I do the old fashioned “keep seating 0.001” deeper until you get a zero-force bolt close”. You can then measure the cartridge to get the “zero jump” dimension.

Consistently repeatable, is the key here for me. Thank you

John, my man, thank you for another excellent description of something I’ve been struggling with!

I have always worries a bit about the same issue you describe and have considered the L.E. Wilson just have not pulled the trigger. You have me thinking about it again. Thanks!

Calipers can drive you crazy! I have been using Wilson Case Gauge die for years. Now for the up grade to the Micrometer!

After using one of these tools it makes you wonder what the other guy was thinking. This is such a wonderful design. Between Wilson, Short Action Customs, and 21st century, I'm in a reloading wonderland 😁. Thanks John for great topics of relevancy, instructionals, and demonstrations!

Ordering one now. Thanks again John.

Wilson make some very good quality tools, in many cases they try to make the fool proof. However, with any precision measuring instrument it is essential to learn how to use them and the feel of the tool. Accuracy and repeatability is something that is learned, just like our muscle memory that we learn in shooting. Thanks for sharing, great explanation John and my compliments to L.E. Wilson.

OMG, thank-you! Appreciate your explanation John! Makes soooo much more sense now!

I love L.E. Wilson tools. So expensive in my country unfortunately. This is a nice addition to my case gauge.

F-Class John, I have really learned quit a bit from your instruction and the precise video's, I strive to be as precise as you in my shoulder bump and the cases, now, i just watched you with the Wilson Case Gage measuring the shoulder bump, I have used the comparator gage, well, now i have another Wilson Gage to buy, making sure of the headspace is correct for my rifles and the shoulder bump. Thanks, john, and Happy New Year!

The Hornady Gauge works just fine as long as you toss the small piece (you called it a stabilizer) into the trash can. The flat section of the caliper is much more repeatable.

Great video for sure lots of great information here thank you for showing

Excellent information!!! Thank you. 🐕

I’m glad you posted a demo of this. Been trying to decide on getting one for 6br. RCBS makes a similar tool for 223 but they never made any for a 6br. I don’t like the Hornady tool and use the Forster Datum tool which is similar to hornady tool but instead uses a dial instead of separate bushings which I think is a pain. The Forster datum dial tool is better than the hornady but I always wished for a tool like the RCBS precision mic. This Wilson tool is a welcome addition to the choices and at some point I will probably buy one because I am not a fan of attachments to calipers. I am considering this

I had just purchased this same bit of kit a few days ago, so wonderful timing! Like you I kind of looked at it sideways, fiddled with it, and finally read the manual (I rarely do that). As you mentioned, it took many iterations with fired, new, and resized brass before I got the hang of using it. One thing I discovered pretty quickly is that you need to make sure the brass is trimmed correctly before using the gauge, or pressing on the bottom (neck side of the gauge) will force the shell up a bit. Another is that I prefer to place it down on a hard, flat surface so I can be sure my fingers aren't pressing on the case neck from underneath, even if the case is trimmed, as my finger will "squish" up into the neck area. Placing it on the workbench would make sense, except now it's too low to see easily. I ended up placing it on the top surface of my press, which is flat, and then I could produce an acceptable amount of pressure on the gauge and still be able to see the markings. I have a MEC Marksman set up on an Inline Fab mount, so it puts the gauge right at eye level. Also much less awkward to apply pressure while trying to spin the dial and feel for the contact. Very much enjoy your videos. :)

So yes (Elizabeth) looks like there is a thou of variation in brass "springback".

Thanks John well illustrated. I have the guage for my 6xc. Very bump sensitive. I think the micrometer would be a good investment.

Great upload! I am going to machine one of these but use a indicator instead of micrometer head.

I have a Wilson depth micrometer but had to take the spring out to have a better feel where the stop was. I have a normal micrometer in my shop that has a knob where I can twist and twist and twist and the reading does not change. I wish Wilson put that on the end of this micrometer.

Ho would you determine the exact size of a chamber? Fired brass (from same rifle) does not always measure the same.

Another great video John, have you tested the effects/ affects of accuracy with different shoulder bump lengths to see how your rifles reacts? I never have just curious of you have

IF USING THIS TO HEADSPACE…WHATS TOOL OF CHOICE TO MEASURE BASE TO OGIVE?

Im guessing you used a standard decapping/resizing die to bump the shoulder

Great video! Now that you have had it for awhile, have you inserted the case gage and micrometer into your regular resizing routine? Or still primarily rely on calipers and bump gages? Or Both?

I'll have to look into that. I'm building a 284 shehane now. What sizing die are you using for the shahane?

John, did you compare the Wilson gauge reading to the Hornady reading? I am consistently getting a reading of 2 thousands from the Hornady and 7.5 thousands from the Wilson Micrometer, primers have been removed. Can you think of a way I could be doing something wrong, how could the readings be this far off?

I purchased one of the LE Wilson case gauge depth micrometer. I also have a short actions customs comparator for measuring off the shoulder. This for a 300 win mag. LE Wilson case gauge for magnum has to be adjusted I did so to the instructions. My problem is the case gauge comes up with a 2 thousands but measuring with comparator it measures 4 thousands. I'm using a Mitutoyo digital caliper. So what is right.

And yet again my brain is fascinated and wallet is angered that I found this vid.. ordered mine last night

Cool Beans! Well You sold me... where does LE Wilson send your commission check?

i wish there was an option to lock in the case gauge. Have distrusted myself when finding that stop and questioning if the case gage moved or not.

Why is there so much discrepancy between the comparator and the case gauge. Please explain. I can’t figure it out. Thanks.

If you inadvertently bump the shoulder back too far for a bolt action riflelike your 284...how far is too far for the brass to be unusable? Since the case gauge is representing your rifle chamber...if the bump is too far, the firing pin wouldn't set off the primer...? One of the reasons why I appreciate you showing how valuable the case gauge is in the reloading process! Thanks

Nice tip using decapping die without using the press. I have a LE Wilson Case Gauges, so I will order the depth micrometer. Is the RCBS Precision MIc not precise enough for your application? THANKS.

What do you think of the Redding Instant Indicator Headspace and Bullet Comparator?

My fired case will not fit into the gage until the full length sized so how could I use this gage. my fired brass stick out about .150 of an inch until i size them i hope you done think I am pushing the neck .150

Is the plunger reading the rim of the case or centered in the flash hole?

Do you always FL your bolt gun brass? Ever NK size only? So to adjust the amount of shoulder bump one just backs the FL die in or out right?

Have you found that some of your brass shoulder bump less when FL sizing? By like 0.5 to 1 Thou? Same brass, same lot.

So how do I measure my case if it doesn't go in to the case gauge which is the problem I'm having with fired brass?

Is the LE Wilson tool the best way to measure? I agree the hornady is very inconsistent if you are really trying to get the measurements exact. I know whidden makes them too, but not as many gauges.

I got the micrometer but It was unusable. Every 1/2 to 2/3 turn it dragged and slowed like I was hitting the brass to measure, so I couldn't tell if I was hitting the brass or was the drag on the dial. It was cleaned, lubed, and cleaned again, none of which helped the issue. Returned it for a refund.

Does LE Wilson make something similar to measure bullet seating depth?

What mark is"1", first mark or first larger mark?

Can you re-calibrate the micrometer so that it stops out at zero as opposed to -1

Would I be wrong for zeroing the wilson case gauge against my chambers go gauge? Wouldnt that be a better standard, and be more relevant

How does this compare to Reddings instant indicator?

Can inconsistent shoulder bump effect ES?

Sweet jesus man, get yourself a Harvey Depriming tool ;)

Total confusion. What is the difference between shoulder bump and headspace? You bump the shoulder back for "shoulder bump" and you bump the shoulder back for headspace. What its the difference?

How does the whidden case gauge compare?

Redding instant indicator.

What are the numbers on the gauge not the on the micrometer but on the body

Might someone explain ‘why’ measure shoulder bump ?

Have you tried PMA gauge??

Have you tried the Whidden case gauge?

Just wondering why you are wearing the gloves?

Universal depriming die in hand, hits the case rim with a hammer to deprime, then checks cases with expensive mic gauge. ohhhh boy

The gauge is a good yool for loaded and fired brass. When you reload ypu still going to full size anywsy?

Proper shoulder bump should be 0.0019735659327" not up for debate!