Electric Caliper Recommendations?

[GRV01]

So ive been reloading less than a year and am already finding whats working for me and what isnt and one rhing that aint are my calipers. Theyre a cheapy-cheapy 3" from Lowes and theyre very inaccurate. Im zeroing over and over and getting different readings and theyre not very sensitive i think -- Either that or every one of my MBC bullets are not sized to .358

In any case a quick look at Midway shows me many many brands, can anyone make a recommendation for a set thats fairly affordable (maybe less than $50?) Thanky

[GasGuzzler]

For less than $50 I'd look at analog. Most of the cheaper electrics are made by the same people and re-branded.

[RBHarter]

Nothing wrong with a $40-50 dial caliper . I've been nursing a set along for 25 yr . Used reasonably gently they still read within .0005 of the good set of 2-3" and 1-2" and a dead match to the Craftsman 1986 0-1" .001 set I don't think they are branded . They were a gift from a friend so they may have been Harbor Freight .

[Ohio3Wheels]

Mine are HF and I've had them long enough to go through 4 or 5 batteries. They work fine. In fact I prefer dial or vernier but with the eyes the digital have become an almost necessity.

Make smoke,

[mikld]

While not an answer to your question, I'll offer my suggestion. I am a lifelong machinist/mechanic and have owned 3 dial calipers and 2 digital calipers.First, I had a Craftsman dial caliper. I kept it clean and it kept zero and was accurate and I used that caliper for 12-13 years before it was stolen. The digital calipers were purchased 4 or 5 years apart, hoping the technology had improved. Both digitals ate batteries rather quickly and as the batteries got low, readings varied. Often the digital would "auto shut-off" while in use. One would switch between metric and SAE whenever it felt like it. One I left unattended for 8-10 days and the battery leaked and ruined the electronics. I could not trust the other so I put it in a drawer somewhere. I got a Lyman dial caliper for my reloading (don't know the manufacturer) and used it for several years (14-16?). I dropped it a few weeks ago and it went .060" off but I was able to repair it but it was off by .001" measuring my .430" plug gauge and off .0005" measuring some 30 cal bullets. I got a Fowler to replace the Lyman and so far it's working perfectly.

I recommend a dial caliper...

[GasGuzzler]

Vernier is for the birds IMO.

$50 is not cheap to me for an electric. I was referring to the $29 variety. My Japanese made analog dial is at work. My electric is at home but I prove it with the analog every once and a while.

[jdl447]

I use a Starret 0-1 inch micrometer for bullet diameter and a Mitutoyo 6 inch dial caliper for aol.
Both can be found on EBay.

[Ranch Dog]

Honestly, a run of the mill dial caliper is better than a digital costing 5X as much. I've spent 3 digits on digitals, all vary or have problems.

Micrometers and calipers both, I've made the swing to digital and back to dial. Much more accurate and repeatable. Specifically as a recommendation, this Hornady is tough to beat: https://www.titanreloading.com/hornady- ... al-caliper

[jdl447]

I made my living in metal work,punching holes, milling ,turning,bending and welding .
As for as measuring tools go buy the best forget the rest.

[daboone]

I prefer dial calibers. They really are easy to read. An added benefit is the visual dial movement. Much easier to see what direction your moving in on a dial.

I have a really nice Brown and Sharpe and Srarret calibers. Got them both off of Ebay for less than 30bucks each.