That's the one I bought from Brownell's more than a year ago for the same price (I think).

Hello, Bill? Please explain the better method...

The method involves using the Manson gauge in a horizontal position with the barrels in a vise, not too good for gun show use unless you have a table. I already have a hanging ring on the end opposite the micrometer. You may need to install one in the hole supplied. This ring should be large enough to conveniently run your finger through it to support that end without exerting side pressure. Zero the micrometer with the gauge in a horizontal position, holding the non micrometer rod at the ball end while zeroing. Run the non micrometer rod into the barrel and read your micrometer at any point in the barrel. Notice there is no problem with wavering readings as long as you use the ring to support the non micrometer end. The vise held barrels eliminate the wavering and false readings we get when using the hanging method. The disadvantage is that the barrels must be rotated in the vise to measure different surfaces of the barrels. I still like this method better than the hanging method when I have access to padded vises. I have not seen a vise that rotates around the horizontal axis, but that vise would be ideal in that the vise could be rotated to measure all surfaces of the barrels without removing the barrels from the vise.

Jon Hosford's beautiful new bore gauge works by a similar method, but measures a bunch of gauges and comes in a fitted wood box. Jon is a great guy. When I told him I owned a Manson gauge and couldn't afford one of his great tools, he showed me how to use my $100 gauge to work like his. Now who else would do that? He will probably be at the Southern demonstrating his gauge. Stop by and say "hi".

Bill, you could put a tapered dowel in the vise that fits in the bbl end or breach and then rotate the bbls.
Rather than lock the bbls in the vise. Of course you need set to accomidate
different gauges.
Hosford has a video with instuctions on how to use his gauge.

Sounds like a good method Bill. Have to think about putting a ring in my Manson. There are rotating vises to be had. I see two in the latest Rutland master catalog, one a nice Wilton, the other likely a Chinese knockoff but v. nice looking and only $81.

Here is a link to John Hosford's website with a video of how to measure barrel wall thickness:

http://vimeo.com/5011609

Carl,

Thanks for posting that.Very nice gauge!

Hosford or Manson

Quite a price difference.

The Hosford comes nicely packaged and very portable without need for a vice. It handles .410 to 10 gauge and can be table mounted for use at gun shows, auction viewings or your own bench.

The Manson does the job but requires a vice thus not the same portability.

From cost/effectiveness perspective:

If all the work will be done in a shop, Manson may be the right gauge.

If the measurements are on the road as a collector/accumulator then Hosford may be the right gauge.

I assume both will give you the same results as far as correct measurement is concerned.

Missing anything or got something wrong??

Jack

Jack- can you use the Manson gauge to read choke constrictions?
 

I'm thinking of buying the Manson gauge from Brownell's-is it USA mfg?? And where did you see a Chinese knock-off of the great Wilton vise? I have two Wiltons and a older Parker and Snow in my workshop- the Parker was from my late grand-dad's machine shop-- Call me and old-fashioned guy (and you would be 100% right about that) but I'll do without before I buy ANY tool from the oriential countries--so you can guess that I don't shop much a Wally-World-Mart either--cheap crap- the most expensive thing on a job is a cheap tool, like a "fair-weather friend" it will let you down everytime--IMO

And Jack, on another thread I believe you were discussing "Back Door" mfg. Parkers, correct. So I can learn here, are those "unknown Old Reliables" about the same breed of cat as the 'lunch box specials?""

A back Door Parker-lessee here- Parkers went out of production around 1940 in Ilion, about the same time the late Jim Morrison was born- he died in 1971, doubt if he owned any firearms, so a Back Door Parker Man- probably not!!:rolleyes:

Tom Leshinski is correct. The barrels can be mounted on a slightly tapered dowel and rotated without loosening and tightening the vise jaws. Of course, something has to hold the dowel. It can be a simple clamp as long as it is secure. I think Jon and I discussed this when he was giving me the block of instruction. I'm sorry this discussion isn't on a dedicated thread, but I'm sure it is available to all interested in it.