The secret to me is using it horizontally, with the barrels firmly held down by a bag of shot, and the dial end of the gauge suspended by a loop of wire held in your hand so that gravity is free to act in keeping the ball down in the "bottom" of the bore. When I started I tried to hold the dial end in my hands, but that put bias in the equation and I couldnt get repeat numbers. The gravity suspension method solved that for me. As others have said, you cant measure under the ribs, and trying to rotate the barrels through 12 points of the compass is too time consuming for me. I did put a piece of masking tape along the length of the shaft and marked it in inches so I could record readings every inch. Its not rocket science, but it at least gives you a feeling for how the bore is doing. Obviously, If you're painting .020 at 12 " from the breech--I walk. If your painting .045, on the other hand, and .090 or better at 4", it gives you a little bit of confidence. Never any guarantees, however. Good luck!
Thank you.
I"m having a little trouble visualizing how you're doing this...you wouldn't have a photo handy, would you? Please don't take the time set up take one if you don't, I'll figure it out.
