Using the Hundo 9mm case gauge with coated lead

[Earl Keese]

Is anybody here using a Hundo case gauge w/coated lead(.357)? I'm curious how it does compared to the CZ 75 chamber.
A little background:
- I've done some research already
- some people report a few tight holes in their Hundos
- I'm using mixed range brass and .357 135rn coated
- I currently plunk every round in my barrel
- due to volume, I'd like something faster
- when my rounds fail the plunk test, it isn't due to OAL

https://benstoegerproshop.com/reloading/case-gauges/

[Crawl]

Are you using the one from Shock Bottle?

[Bossgobbler]

I use the Hundo with Blue Bullets @.356 I have checked over 50,000 rounds.  With any case gauge, you need to check if an unloaded bullet will pass all the way through the gauge. If the bullet will not pass through the case gauge it will be gauging the bullet OAL and the case. Why .357 that a little big for 9mm?

[Earl Keese]

Are you using the one from Shock Bottle?

I haven't bought one yet, was hoping to get some feedback here first.

[Earl Keese]

I use the Hundo with Blue Bullets @.356 I have checked over 50,000 rounds.  With any case gauge, you need to check if an unloaded bullet will pass all the way through the gauge. If the bullet will not pass through the case gauge it will be gauging the bullet OAL and the case. Why .357 that a little big for 9mm?

.357 gives me tighter groups and cuts way down on lead fouling I had with .356. Also, I shoot Steel Challenge and prefer lead over jacketed for safety.

[Crawl]

Are you using the one from Shock Bottle?

I haven't bought one yet, was hoping to get some feedback here first.

I have used the one from Shock Bottle and the one from Double Alpha.

Shock Bottle has given me zero problems, and I sent the DAA BACK. Here's what I have seen...

The DAA has a bevel that makes it on your table or in its tray so that the bullet tips don't extend beyond the bottom. This allows you to gauge all rounds with or without a flip tray. The tray enables you to dump these rounds into an ammo box. This makes using the ETS mag loader possible. The Shock Bottle that I have has a flat bottom and prevents the cartridges from extending all the way through unless you have it lined up properly with its own tray or you're holding it off of the table top. Shock Bottle explains on their website the reasons for designing it this way. I don't care; I dislike it.

+1 for DAA

My particular Double Alpha gauge was sent back because some of the holes were out of spec. (I would take a loaded cartridge from Hornady, put it in various holes in the gauge, and it would fit in 4 out of 5 holes. DAA, after sending them video proof, told me to try cleaning the holes with a plastic brush...this made the cartridge fit in maybe 9 out of 10 holes. They accepted a full return. I'm guessing that the problem is the anodizing process creates inconsistent hole diameters.)

The Shock Bottle Hundo isn't anodized and doesn't have this problem. The end.

+10 for Hundo


TL; DR
If you get a DAA that is consistent, it's better. Shock Bottle would likely argue that their gauge allows you more flexibility, check out their FAQs.

What are the chances of getting one from DAA with 100 holes that are in spec? No clue. Get Shock Bottle from the Stoeger Shop. You want a flip tray too, I promise.

[SoCal]

I have a shockbottle and it works great.  I have used it up to .357 lead bullets with no problems.  I like the fact the the bullets protrude slightly from the bottom.  I use MTM cases so being able to flip them into the cases is a plus.

 

[George16]

I’m also using Shockbottle’s 9mm gauge. It works well. Some of the ammo that failed the gauge are relegated for practice and still worked on my pistols. For me, it’s worth the $99 I paid for it.

[tdogg]

I've been using the shockbottle gauge in 40 and wish I purchased the 40XL variant.  The XL has slightly looser tolerances and will work better with coated lead.  I don't have an issue with OAL but I have an issue with my coated lead bullets hanging up due to being slightly oversized.  It's not that big an issue because when they hang up on the bullet you can just force them in and verify the case is sized to saami spec and the coating is the only thing that gets shaved off.  It will find the cases and cartridges that are out of spec but it gives you some false positives with the oversized bullets.

If they made a  9mmXL, that is what I would purchase.  It might now be as big an issue with 9mm being it's a tapered case?  I'm not sure?  I'd contact them and see what they say with recommend with 0.357 bullets.

One thing is for sure, these gauges are much tighter than even a CZ barrel.  So if it passes the gauge, it will fit in the barrel.  I've confirmed this with a number of cartridges that fail the gauge but fit in my barrels.  Generally if it fails the gauge I just run those through a FCD and run them in practice.  I have had two (over the last 3k? reloaded) that the case head was out of spec and I pulled those down scrapped the brass.

Cheers,
Toby

[pewpew4life]

I use the Hundo with Blue Bullets @.356 I have checked over 50,000 rounds.  With any case gauge, you need to check if an unloaded bullet will pass all the way through the gauge. If the bullet will not pass through the case gauge it will be gauging the bullet OAL and the case. Why .357 that a little big for 9mm?

When using lead projectiles (coated or not) you should slug your barrel and run a thousandth or 2 thousandths bigger than the diameter of what the slug is. Lead shoots better that way and has less fouling. Jacketed projectiles in 9mm you should stick with .355. Lead .356 or .357 depending on what your barrel slugs in at.

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