Concentricity Gauge - Hornady, RCBS Case Master, and Sinclair Concentricity Gauges Compared

[@daviddale3624]

"Tools are just fun".. that is the reason I do not save money by reloading. It is also the reason I have near perfect round to round consistency.

[@matthewgarrett6371]

Respectfully, I prefer, by far and away, the Accuracy One Concentricity Fixture with a simple Mitutoyo 513-402 test indicator. I started with the older Sinclair fixture with a Starrett 1" drop dial indicator. It could be useful, however, the Accuracy One and a test indicator is both far more accurate and able to measure many other things on the case. A test indicator is key. You will also love how the Accuracy One wheel pulls your case back against the stop as you rotate the knob. The Hornady is a flawed design... Regards, Matt

[@hankbrinlee4677]

Keep on "keeping on" with the content...excellent!

[@LunaRendezvous]

I have the Sinclair, and I use my index finger and thumb on both hands to rotate the shell/ round, make sure all pressure is applied in between the two sets of balls.

[@grasshopper9313]

21st Century makes a top of the line con gauge and a plus for usage ,You will be hard press to find any difference in down range accuracy from your run out from .001 to .005 run out it's not worth the trouble of separating rounds .

[@chemcorps272]

Thanks for all these great videos. They are easy to follow and understand for someone who is thinking about getting into reloading. Keep it up!

[@stealthandysteath1069]

Evening mate from Pembrokeshire Wales, thanks for sharing buddy. Tc Andy

[@2pugman]

The Hornady adjustment knob end will wear down and leave definite marks on the bullet head when you turn the screw in to correct the run-out. It will correct run out easily.

[@boogerdog5247]

@2Pugman Us dogs know these things. Watching this vid reminds me why I reloaded shotgun shells by the truckload too many decades ago, now, give me bulk, or a 20 round box, or brain overload. We have a all these "hemi's" in the garage, and no track to run on... States have too many ranges closed. Lots goes into consistency. It's a dog's life!

[@deadhorse3389]

But the way hornadys gauge fixes runout is by ruining neck tension, neck tension is way more vital to accuracy then runout it. If you disagree with me and with world class shooters prove us wrong.

[@2pugman]

@@deadhorse3389 Should we bow to you ? KMA !

[@deadhorse3389]

@@2pugman no not bow, but just check the facts, every pro shooters agrees that the Hornady gauge ruins neck tension, they also agree neck tension is more important then concentricity, research it for yourself, just trying to pass along valuable info and help other. sorry if i hurt your feelers, i didnt mean to come across negative. Seriously just trying to help others. I have heard many disagree with my statement but turns out all those guys never shoot or compete, they just parrot videos they watch on youtube telling them how awesome it is.

[@RingoJohnny8]

Great accuracy and fair comparisons! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@eugenejohnson8635]

I got the hornady Sinclair tools are like snap on and Mac tools built tough

[@Dwayne7834]

Thanks for sharing your information. I am looking to getting one of them

[@jimhans1]

I personally prefer the Redding Slant Bed Concentricity Gauge. I’ve got the Sinclair also, and tried the others, but the Redding has proven to be the most consistent to use and easiest due to the angle.

[@BoltActionReloading]

Hi Jim, I hadn't seen that exact model before. Seems to not be in stock anywhere. Where did you find it? BAR

[@lanceschul]

I think the Slant Bed is a newer model, I am interested in it too.

[@kerbyfab]

5280 Reloader Thanks. I didn’t realize they had a new model out.

[@jimhans1]

I bought directly from Redding. Had it ordered at SHOT in January. NY state lockdown screwed Redding and the rest of the state gun industry hard.

[@lanceschul]

@@jimhans1 I know what you mean there. I have a friend who works there and they really got hemmed up by the shut down. They worked hard to get the backlog figured out. They're an awesome company. Are you happy with the SlantBed? I'm assuming you have it now?

[@conservativesniperhunter7439]

Great review of three very good concentricity gauges 👍.

[@lanceschul]

I had the Hornady Gauge and it worked OK. I live in Colorado and it's normally pretty dry here . The Hornady Gauge was very susceptible to surface rust which bothered me greatly.

[@hewlett260]

Wierd mine hasn't and also in Co

[@milboltnut]

smear a little case lube on your fingers first

[@luvtahandload7692]

I had all 3 of those at the same time. The RCBS and the Sinclair agreed with each other on a specific round. The Hornady was out in left field. I don't think the Hornady's method of holding the cartridge is conducive to accurate results. I also don't think that little plastic thumb screw is capable of correcting runout on cases that have neck walls that measure .013 thick or more. Maybe on the Hornet rounds it would work. Your best bet for correcting wobble is the simple little device that Tru-Tool sells.

[@luvtahandload7692]

@@VincitOmniaVeritas7 It probably was mine. This is the third or fourth time I've relayed this information on YT.

[@tobiastorsi]

Thanks for the video! Where do you tale the measurement? At the neck? I always thought I would habe to take it from the ogive, which shows bigger numbers.

[@milboltnut]

for the money Hornady seems best. Some complain the case head anvil throws reading off due to case rim not being consistent, I disagree. If the case idicated on the neck itself with a seated bullet reads well, then the reading on the bullet seated is reading what it's is and no interference from the supposed case rim. RCBS and Sinclair can be a hassle to set up at times verses the Horandy. The Hornady is a snap.

[@milboltnut]

The bullet/neck spindle casting bore is off from the spindle shank diameter. The bullet spindle is fine if you set the right tension between the spindles, The neck spindle, for me, needs a custom pilot to give good readings. I will see if I need a custom spindle made to prevent any movement.

[@milboltnut]

the neck spindle has too much clearance in the frame bore. I have a friend making me a new spindle and pilot. The bore in the spindle for the pilot isn't center either. I feel it's best to have this unit as tight as possible to eliminate errors and not blame sizing and bullet seating.

[@misterlewgee8874]

I wonder. Hornady measures concentricity from the head rim of case. 21century measures from the wall of the case. Which is more relevant.? It seems 21century can indicate alot more run out...Hornady indicates less. Bullet seat depth can also affect runout?...I'm seating shallowly to greet the lans. Looking into this as getting more run out than expected, using Lee collet and seater....have had good results , minimal runout in past with these... Now getting up to 8 thou at times... err Thanks..

[@kerbyfab]

I know it wasn’t reviewed on this video, but has anyone had a chance to use the Accuracy One or the 21st Century Concentricity gages? If so, what are your thoughts? Thanks

[@jdr285]

I have the 21stC. The advantage it has over the Sinclair, which I also have, is, like the Accuracy One, the wheel. Being able to easily apply consistent positioning pressure (up and down as well as fore and aft) to the case/cartridge during the measuring process is IMHO the key to good readings.

[@kerbyfab]

Jim Rogers Thanks for sharing. I’m stuck on these two. I also considered the Fli-Right conc. gage, but it’s just outside my reach.

[@foonus406]

With the Hornady Concentricity Gauge, I have found that using the tool to "fix" concentricity is not a great idea, pushing on the bullet to one side reduces the neck tension of the cartridge drastically and will lead to more deviation than leaving it alone. Perhaps why none of the other companies have that "feature"...

[@skipper9400]

if you use the Hornady PROPERLY, you DO NOT push on the bullet, you push on the NECK....and you CANNOT change the neck tension that way, as it's physically impossible because the bullet and the neck NEVER change in relationship....(one does NOT move without the other).......I have straightened hundreds of cartridges with runout, and have had ZERO problems.

[@paulmiller7807]

I have many of these but feel the 21st century reloading concentricity gauge is the best, I also use a tenths indicator as using a thousandths and looking only at 1 or 2 increments you can’t really see much. Measuring with a runout target of 0.001 with a gauge that has a max resolution of 0.001 isn’t good metrology practice. Also, the 21st century uses the test indicator type that is much finer touch, and can also do inside the case mouth (that is what matters after all)

[@BoltActionReloading]

Hi Paul, I was trying to review 3 very common more affordable concentricity gauges. I agree that 21st century is a fine piece of equipment (that is why i talk about it in the video) but its $208 with no wheel and $275 with it. Not saying its not worth it, but I don't think they are in the same category. BAR

[@paulmiller7807]

Bolt Action Reloading A very fair statement! I’ve found concentricity to be a major impact to accuracy - I often cull out brass after resizing and have learned to anneal every time now from making this part of every reloading session. But you are right, that one is expensive. As is the Accuracy One gauge, which I’ve had my eye on for some time. Thanks for doing the review, very important reloading topic ;)

[@IHFarmer2007]

There are a few "correcting" type of concentricity gauge makers out there. can't remember off top of my head but search for "bullet correcting concentricity gauge" and read for DAYS, I know there is, lol I did research this! I'm not near as picky with concentricity like I was, but it is a good tool to check your process every now and then. Look up F-Class John here on youtube, he has a video on this.

[@deadhorse3389]

You are probably thinking of the fli right gauge and its the only one that fixed concentricity without ruining neck tension that I am aware of, any that use a screw/bolt to "push" the bullet to correct correct concentricity ruins neck tension and neck tension is far more important to accuracy then runout is.

[@IHFarmer2007]

@@deadhorse3389 Yep you are correct.....it was around high $300 to $400 for the darn thing but it corrects the ammo correctly like you said without messing up the neck tension, which you are right on neck tension. Neck tension will make or break accuacy at long range! If neck tension was easy to deal with nobody would have the problems they have with their ammo and everyone would be happier reloading. I found out through trial and error and lot of research and questions that what you said about "neck tension is far more important to accuracy then runout is a 100% FACT!! Thank you

[@howardschwartz1462]

Do you neck turn and if not why??

[@brucebrill3248]

If you don't correct bullet wobble with the Hornady tool...how or what tool do you use to correct it?

[@BoltActionReloading]

Hi Bruce, I make sure my die settings and process are working so it doesn't "need" to be corrected. I very rarely have a loaded round that exceeds .002 of run out. If you start pushing on projectiles I think you are trying to use the projectile as a prybar to fix the neck. If the case neck is straight and your seating die is set correctly (proper fitting seating stem) I have never had the use for it.

[@brucebrill3248]

​@@BoltActionReloading How do you straighten case necks, and what seating die/system do you use? ....or let me know if you've made a video on this. Thanks,I really appreciate you videos.

[@davidleslie299]

Thx appreciate the video

[@kentrumm1385]

You should noted that indicator run out is not the actual bullet run out. If the indicator reads .002”, actual bullet run out is half that, or .001”.

[@carfvallrightsreservedwith6649]

Since you you stated "best" I'm disappointed you didn't include 21 Century model.

[@BoltActionReloading]

Hello, I largely feel "best" is relative to what you want to use it for. The most expensive option may not be the "best" for everybody. While I am sure that 21st century is a excellent product, I have to pay for all of these. Its not realistic for me to buy additional tools to cover them if I am not using the product.

[@ctech01]

I love my Neco.

[@6handicap604]

Good video, good information of the concentricity gauge. If people think it is important, then all is well. I don't use a concentricity gauge myself as I have looked at the drawing of my action reamer. My reamer, standard, comes with a free bore of .001 larger than the circumference of the projectile. Simple physics says there is no way the projectile can be outside of that dimension or concentricity after chambering, no matter what the concentricity is before chambering. But much of reloading is OCD, and whatever people thinks works and is important they will do.

[@deadhorse3389]

One thing you left out is the sinclair is the only one of those 3 that does large calibers like 50bmg or 416 barrett, second thing is the fli-right gauge is probably the best on the market and puts the 21st century one to shame and is the only one that adjusts and fixes runout without ruining neck tension.

[@AP2020_Outdoors]

21st Century has the best.

[@dragonflyfab9703]

All use the wrong type of indicator. Should be a dial test indicator.

[@readyalready4697]

Hornady. All the way. I can fix rounds from cheap and even Redding match bullets seating dies. Just experience

[@stevenmarcus2709]

Sir, thanks for the wonderful content. But you worry entirely too much about concentricity. It’s nearly a pointless endeavor. The best group iv ever shot in my life was with five pieces of ammunition with more than .004” runout. I sold my gauge shortly after that and bought a neck turning tool. Money way better spent.

[@cirbill]

You talk to fast!

[@greybone777]

FYI. I tumble deprimed cases, put in a new primer,charge with powder and put in a new projectile. I'm getting sub inch groups in 223 with Hornaday vmax in my cz carbine. I get 1 1/2inch 300 yard groups in my rem. 700 sps tac.in308 with 168gr a max and varget or 4064 or blc 2. I have made accurate loads with 3006 by scooping a case full of imr 4831 and cramming in a 180 grain bullet. Do all of these things if it makes you happy, but it's not necessary unless you are an anal retentive bench loader.