Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles digital calipers

I am in need of a replacement digital caliper. My current Lymans seem to have too much slop in them, but beyond that, they will intermittently loose zero. typically by .200, occasinally by .400. really messes with a guy.

Not afraid to spend what is necessary.

I saw the Mitutoyo recommended somewhere. When I looked them up, prices range from about $40 online to a couple hundred for the same model number. Any indication something isnt right there?

Any other suggestions? I dont like why the price is so variable, seems fishy.

Buy a set of Brown and Sharp Digital calipers, they are sealed with no track to get contaminated , they automatically shut off to save battery life and are very durable, you can order them from Mcmichael Carr and get them in a couple days .
They are great and will last a life time !

Or buy a good set of dial calipers, learn how to use them, and never have to buy a battery again. grin...

Holy moly they must be made out of cocaine and hooker’s tears! $$$




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I paid $19 dollars for my digital calipers at Horrible Fright. They have always matched the reading on my Japanese dial calipers.
They look exactly like the ones the reloading companies sell with their logo on.

Pretty sure they are the same.
Since the circuit boards, software etc are all likely the same...
My guess would be that the only place to "effectively" cut corners would be in the machine work..

Meaning the dial gauge is actually better (if you know how to use it).

But quality tools have always been dear.
Just go look at one of the drill bit threads....

Yeah, they are certainly good enough for what I use them for. I'm not machining parts for NASA.

I own a pair of U.S. made, not all are, Starrett good for machinist's milk and with a data port.

I suggest whatever import with a brand label is on sale at Midway and the rest of the usual suspects. If a guarantee is wanted Brownell's. If you need to spend more you'll know it otherwise what's cheap/on sale.

Brown and Sharp is a fine label, not the same company,. and mostly not entirely, made in Europe

Mitutoyo digital calipers and don’t look back.

That's what I say:

I will second the Brown & Sharp, pay once cry once, bought mine used just calibrated. Inch and millimeters. I have had RCBS mechanical and harbor freight. The RCBS were not bad, but got sloppy after many years. The Harbor freight were CR*P, only a single digit passed the decimal. Mitutoyo is good as well.

there are many Chinese knockoffs , especially on ebay/amazon

Was wondering about knockoffs with the huge price differences

I understand you asked about digital, I have digital and dial, But I reach for the dial every single time.

Get yourself a dial Starrett 120A, American made, and it can be passed down to to the next of kin.

Done deal.

The reason for digital over dial calipers is the sealed track on digitals instead of the open track that dials operate on, a single grain of powder or a piece of dirt in the track allows the dials to skip and sometimes will be enough to ruin them.

Starrett makes great tools, as does Brown & Sharpe, both are better quality than are "really" needed for most home reloaders, but I'm not trying to save money when I'm the guy pulling the trigger. Kind of like buying cheap scopes and then bitching about repeatability !

One thing you will find with Mitutoyo is the battery life will be much longer than the cheaper versions out there. I oversee a QC department and have found them to be superb. Starett is decent as well. I have not used the Brown and Sharp but would think they are good as well. Expect to pay $100-150.00 for decent calipers. I have found you get what your pay for holds true! Good luck on your purchase!

These simply work. Really like the 8" size for the "grip" when opened up, especially with comparators installed. Not a hiccup in 5 years. Give me hell if you want, they come with chopsticks.

https://www.amazon.com/iGaging-100-200-8-Electronic-Fractional-Protection/dp/B0056OETWA

Hmm... Never had that happen but I've only been using and selling them for 40 years or so. But then I don't submerge my rifles in trout streams either. grin...

Yep, ive had Starret dial calipers go tits up. Ive been using my Mitutoyo digitals for almost 20 years and have only changed the batery 2 times.

Depends on your desired accuracy, precision, frills, and durability (IP rating). I would get Mitutoyo if I had money for it. Check the specs vs what you need it to do- not all calipers are equal (of course).