doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com anyone use th e"Shotgun COmbo Gauge?"

I was looking at the gauge advertised on this site and did a search for related posts in this forum. It came up empty, so I was wondering if anyone here owns one? If so, how well does it work? Is the extension worthwhile?

THanks!

Marc:
I've checked one out at our club; being a stockmaker I already had similar tools, but this is pretty much an all-in-one deal. Also was set up next to Bob at the Stamford, CT gun show, so I heard every detail. It is a pretty useful tool. The extension has a magnet in so the unit will sit on the rib and you can have both hands freed up to adjust and check measurements. IMO, though, unless you are really into the "+/- 1/32 of-an-inch" realm, it may be a bit of extravagance. Hope this helps.

Craig, what did you think of his BoreMaster? Did he sell many of these? http://www.shotguncombogauge.com/multiboregauge.html

Does anybody have one of these?

Larry

I haven't seen the bore gauge, kind of looks like a hobbiest tool. I've got professional tools for checking the entire bore, inside and wall thickness (both from Galazan). I do know that often the thinnest barrel walls are a bit deeper in than 6", most folks check in the 7"-9" region. When I check, I go for the thinnest wall no matter were it might be.

Larry:
The gauge is kinda cool; as Steve pointed out, it only reaches 6 inches or so, which is plenty for checking chokes or chambers; I think the accepted measurement for bore diameter is 9" from the breech face, so this is a bit lacking for that exact measurement. Overall, though, not too bad, although you do need to develop a sense of "feel" for when to take your measurement, as the longer rods are a bit willowy when forced against the choke or chamber walls.
Craig

Both tools are kind of all in one and portable. Price is not as much as other, perhaps more exact (or at least more established) setups. Both are versatile within their limits. Easy to use once I read the instructions with the gauge. I found the gauge less subject to error than the "tuning fork" and easier to read than the "probes" with less tendency to bend. Robert indicates that a light touch is all that is necessary. Some of us did a comparison at the last Vintagers and came out liking these products for general duty. Besides, the gauge is fun.

Thanks Craig for your opinion.

Montana, are you comparing the BoreGauge with some other bore gauge or the shotgun combo gauge? I'm just trying to get some idea of the accuracy and consistency of the BoreGauge.

Thanks,

Larry

I have found the Shotgun Combo Gauge one of the best purchases I have made. It makes measuring LOP and DAC/DAH a snap, and I think is perfectly accurate. You can even use it to estimate cast, albeit not with the same precision as the other measurements. Well worth in in my opinion.

On the other hand, I see the Bore Gauge as a gimmick, and not nearly so useful as the traditional dial barrel readers as made by CSP and Galazan. They are far more versatile and I suspect more accurate. I wouldn't buy the Bore Gauge.

Keith

Compared this Roberts Bore Gauge to the Galazan three probe set up (which arguably works the best when used by those very familiar with it) as well as the standard Clymer (tuning fork) and probe bore gauge (such as this at Champlin Arms http://www.champlinarms.com/Default.aspx...&GunID=20). OTHER THAN REACH, we were quickly able to accurately replicate consistent readings much more easily on the Roberts. It essentially came down to how used one was to using the probe style however.

Montana, I have a couple of questions. First, what is it about the Galazan bore micrometer that requires "familiarity"? It is about the simplest bore gauge ever made. The Clymer "tuning fork" that I am familiar with is a wall thickness gauge, not a bore gauge. Is there something else in the Clymer line that is a bore gauge that could be described as a tuning fork? The Champlin link you provided pictures a gauge similar to the Galazan gauge, not like the Clymer tuning fork, and also, like the Galazan, very simple to operate.