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<blockquote data-quote="csmestorga" data-source="post: 1819293" data-attributes="member: 24516">I just picked up an electronic caliper at harbor freight that makes these measurements and overall cartridge length easy &amp; precise.&nbsp; got it on sale with a coupon for less than 10 bucks.&nbsp; I wish I&#039;d had one of these years ago when I started reloading (just getting back into it after a 10 year break.)Also the Lee factory crimp dies make the crimp process much more reliable, instead of trying not to overcrimp with a roll crimp die.&nbsp; If you&#039;ve ever seen or fired a cartridge with the bullet pushed back in the case, it can make a nasty boom..&nbsp; nearly lost my head to one in Iraq (7.62x39).&nbsp; The AK47 didn&#039;t fare well at all.&nbsp; Just from the recoil pushing the bullets back into the cases in the magazine.&nbsp; Granted, it was crappy confiscated ammo donated by our Italian army friends for use in training Iraqi Police.&nbsp; Luckily, the IP firing the rifle &amp; me with my chin on his left shoulder still have our faces.&nbsp; It blew the top of the AK about 30 feet behind us.&nbsp; Now I&#039;ve seen pics online of guns supposedly blown up by bad ammo, but I&#039;ve experienced it first hand.&nbsp; Believe me, I&#039;m pretty picky about overall cartridge length now, &amp; inspecting every round for proper bullet seating.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="csmestorga, post: 1819293, member: 24516"] I just picked up an electronic caliper at harbor freight that makes these measurements and overall cartridge length easy & precise. got it on sale with a coupon for less than 10 bucks. I wish I'd had one of these years ago when I started reloading (just getting back into it after a 10 year break.) Also the Lee factory crimp dies make the crimp process much more reliable, instead of trying not to overcrimp with a roll crimp die. If you've ever seen or fired a cartridge with the bullet pushed back in the case, it can make a nasty boom.. nearly lost my head to one in Iraq (7.62x39). The AK47 didn't fare well at all. Just from the recoil pushing the bullets back into the cases in the magazine. Granted, it was crappy confiscated ammo donated by our Italian army friends for use in training Iraqi Police. Luckily, the IP firing the rifle & me with my chin on his left shoulder still have our faces. It blew the top of the AK about 30 feet behind us. Now I've seen pics online of guns supposedly blown up by bad ammo, but I've experienced it first hand. Believe me, I'm pretty picky about overall cartridge length now, & inspecting every round for proper bullet seating. [/QUOTE]

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