choke gauge tool inquiry

[allen newell]

Would like to purchase a quality and accurate choke gauge measuring tool. I have one from Galazan, the one that measures chamber length and choke but it is not accurate to my satisfaction on measuring chokes.

Is there a better tool out there?

[tom tutwiler]

Hosford makes the Cadillac, CSMC makes one. Here's another at Brownells:

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/shotgun-tools/bore-gauges/professional-shotgun-bore-micrometer-set-prod6808.aspx

[Stephen Hodges]

Allen, you do not need to spend nearly that much money. I found a gent in Montana who custom makes gauges. I have two, a 12/16 and a 20 gauge set and they are fantastic, for a very reasonable price. I know a few other folks here on the forum have ordered from him when I found him and they are very happy with there gauges also. Give him a call, he is a great guy. He is retired and make them at home in his machine shop. High quality and fast service. I bought the digital gauges. They are easy to use. And he uses stainless steel rods, not wood or plastic.



Gary Bulley
406-961-3311
Gauges built from 8" to 18" your preference
dial type, $125
Digital type $175

[allen newell]

Thanks Steve, I'll give him a call.

[Rick Losey]

A +1 on Gary's tools. I have two sizes

Just make sure you let him know has long to make them and which gauges you intend to use them on

[allen newell]

Thanks Rick, but could you explain your last sentence?

[Stephen Hodges]

Allen, I think he is saying just be sure Mr. Bulley knows what gauge you want, and the length of the rod that it is mounted on. :)

[Rick Losey]

Thanks Rick, but could you explain your last sentence?

No but I can correct it


That is what I get trying to hurry a response on the phone with fat fingers :rotf:

[allen newell]

Steve and Rick, if all I'm interested in doing is measuring chokes on my doubles, why with this Montana gents gauge would I need a rod on the gauge any longer than say 6 inches? Do his gauges serve other purposes that you use them for this needing a longer rod? This is a question from me who is a neophyte when it comes to mechanics etc. So pardon me for asking. And thanks

[edgarspencer]

Allen, you'll want the tool to be 15-16" long so that you can measure mean bore diameters. Simply knowing the choke diameter doesn't help until you can also know what the total constriction from true bore is.

[allen newell]

Thanks Edgar !

[Rick Losey]

As Edgar says

Choke is really the difference between the bore diameter and the constriction at the muzzle

The weakness with the tapered/wedding cake devices is that they only measure the diameter of the muzzle and that they assume a standard bore size. So older bores which may not be modern standard, or back bored barrels will be off

Bore gauges will tell you the true constriction and give you some idea if a choke has been modified

IMHO. If you are going to buy the gauge anyway. Get it 15 to 18 inches long and you can measure the bore for free

[Craig Budgeon]

If your main interest is measuring chokes you may want to look at MSC for a gage which measures inside diameters from .375- 1.375". The gage is capable of measuring the last three inches of choke, is very accurate, and will accurately indicate how the choke is formed. It has a face similar to a dial indicator with 2 arms, 1 stationary and 1 which pivots. The gage is made in China and have had mine for nearly 2 decades and also use it for lathe work. I paid $75 through Enco at the time which became part of MSC recently.

[tom tutwiler]

If your main interest is measuring chokes you may want to look at MSC for a gage which measures inside diameters from .375- 1.375". The gage is capable of measuring the last three inches of choke, is very accurate, and will accurately indicate how the choke is formed. It has a face similar to a dial indicator with 2 arms, 1 stationary and 1 which pivots. The gage is made in China and have had mine for nearly 2 decades and also use it for lathe work. I paid $75 through Enco at the time which became part of MSC recently.

Only problem with those (and I have one) is on guns like Foxes the chokes are often over 4" long and you can't reach in far enough to get all the choke. That said for other guns with shorter chokes its fine.

[Richard Flanders]

I have one of the Enco finger gauges mentioned above. It works fine on most Parker chokes but is limited to around 3". A few years back Dave Suponski offered Starrett inside diameter vernier calipers for sale here. They can measure to a depth of a bit over 5.5" and are accurate to .0001", I think. I couldn't get one fast enough. Not sure how large a diameter they'll measure but the smallest seems to be ~9/16"(.5625") so they're great for smaller bore guns of greater than .410. I'm not sure I've tried on on a 12ga or larger. Dave could likely give a better description. I do know I love this thing.

Looks like it actually can read to .001". Not sure. Dave, where are you?? Yes, it's .001" grads and has an official range of .575" - .750". I think you could measure a bit under the lower limit closely enough for choke measurements. This is not a gauge that Starrett currently offers.

BTW: I got my PP yesterday. I was reading "my" article and concluded that the next time I need a resume, I'm getting Mike to write it!

[Richard Flanders]

I have one of the Enco finger gauges mentioned above. It works fine on most Parker chokes but is limited to around 3". A few years back Dave Suponski offered Starrett inside diameter vernier calipers for sale here. They can measure to a depth of a bit over 5.5" and are accurate to .0001", I think. I couldn't get one fast enough. Not sure how large a diameter they'll measure but the smallest seems to be 9/16"(.5625") so they're great for smaller bore guns of greater than .410. I'm not sure I've tried on on a 12ga or larger. Dave could likely give a better description. I do know I love this thing.

CAN A MODERATOR DELETE THIS DUPLICATE POST PLEASE?