Good Multi-Cartridge Ammunition Checkers from Lyman

Here’s a cool tool for your hand-loaders, particularly if you load large quantities of bulk ammo for a variety of firearms. Lyman’s handy Ammo Checkers check the diameters of reloaded rounds and factory ammo, so you can quickly confirm that your ammo fits a standard chamber. Just drop your loaded rounds in the Ammo Checker, and if the round fits into the gauge, it will fit in the gun’s chamber.

Lyman Ammo Checkers are multi-caliber — each orange block checks six or eight different cartridge types, with each caliber/cartridge name engraved on the gauge. Ammo Checkers are machined to SAAMI minimum chamber dimensions from solid blocks of 6061 T6 aluminum. Ammo Checkers are available in three versions covering most common handgun and rifle calibers:

Handgun Ammo Checker (#7833000) $37.99 on Amazon
Fits: .380 Auto, 9mm Luger, .38 Super, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .38/357, .44 Spl/Mag, and .45 Colt

Small Rifle Ammo Checker (#7832321) $44.99 on Scheels.com
Fits: .204 Ruger, .22 Hornet, .223 Rem, 22-250, .300 AAC Blackout, 7.62×39

Large Rifle Ammo Checker (#7833002) $45.99 from Scheels.com
Fits: .243 Win, .270 Win, 30-30 Win, .308 Win, .30-06 Springfield, .300 WSM

Aluminum MSR Black Color Ammo Checker (#7833003) $44.99 from Scheels.com
Fits: .223 Rem/5.56, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, .300 AAC Blackout, 7.62×39, .450 Bushmaster, .458 SOCOM, and .50 Beowulf.

Cheaper Multi-Cartridge Pistol Ammo Checker Blocks
There are also some cheaper multi-caliber pistol ammo checker blocks from foreign makers.

Pistol Ammo Checker — Ludex Block, $24.00 on Amazon (Orange)
Fits: .380 Auto, 9mm Luger, .38 Super, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .38/.357, .44 Mag/Spl, and 45 Colt.

Pistol Ammo Checker — LYHgogo Block, $19.81 on Amazon (Black)
Fits: .380 Auto, 9mm Luger, .38 Super, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .38/.357, .44 Mag/Spl, and 45 Colt.

Why Use a Case Gauge?
We find that case gauges like the Lyman Ammo Checker are particularly useful for handgun reloaders using progressive presses. The chambers of many popular semi-auto pistols are partly unsupported. This allows the case to swell in the bottom quarter. The case may not be sized adequately by your sizing die, which can lead to misfeeds or malfunctions.

Additionally, if you have loaded a large quantity of ammo for a semi-auto rifle such as an AR15, it’s not a bad idea to check your cartridges before you load them into your magazines. All you need is one mis-sized round to cause a stoppage. That will ruin your day if you are competing in a Service Rifle match or 3-Gun event.