Been reloading about 50 years. Don't own a gauge. Always set the die by feel.
this.
and where can a guy "buy" a feel?
Legally? At the bunny ranch.
Lots of the fancy tools are just a means to monetize, and provide access to the tricks and tools of the guys who
have been reloading for 50 years have figured out.
Think six-sigma and manufacturing....
Can you build auto parts without it? Certainly.
can you make flat shooting loads near the edge? Absolutely.
Are you more likely to catch a problem if you are measuring 16 different things?
Only if you are paying attention.