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Re: Proper technique for a barrel wall thickness gauge David Williamson #671598 02/18/26 11:10 AM
Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 498 Likes: 52 Further Up North, WI Geoff Roznak OP Sidelock
OP Geoff Roznak Sidelock Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 498 Likes: 52 Further Up North, WI	Originally Posted by David Williamson Years ago I made one that I believe Miller (RIP) posted. His hung from the ceiling on a hook. The only problem with it was that you needed someone to write the readings down, or else you had to remove the barrels , write down your findings, and then start over where you left off. I got tired of that and was talking to a friend who had a Galazan thickness gauge. This one had 3 different bars, one for 10-12 ga, 1 for 16 ga. The hardest part was milling a tapered slot where the spring and lever part was flush with the rod. I don't have a milling machine and had to set the bar/s up on an angle and use an XY table on my drill press.I can read from the breech 16 inches. The breech end fits on a tapered cone that fits into the chamber and is adjustable with a thumb screw for different lengths along the barrel. In reading from the muzzle end, if the chokes are too tight I cannot go over the rod which is 5/8" (.625) and half the diameter of the ball .0625. Together that is .6875. So I can read at least 16 inches and really beyond that, most pressures I shoot under 7500 psi, so I'm not worried too much. I can redo the readings, and they come out within a .00l or less, plus I can write everything down because the barrels are centered on the cone and the spring lever is holding them in place at that point. Keith is right, nothing within our means can measure between the top and bottom ribs. https://imgur.com/CRSvRu6 https://imgur.com/67vgW5I https://imgur.com/wD9V0un The last photo shows a reading of .057, 8 inches from the breech. Thank you.

Re: Proper technique for a barrel wall thickness gauge Geoff Roznak #671717 02/20/26 06:34 PM
Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 160 Likes: 39 Colorado limapapa Sidelock
limapapa Sidelock Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 160 Likes: 39 Colorado	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!
	1 member likes this: Geoff Roznak

Re: Proper technique for a barrel wall thickness gauge limapapa #671720 02/20/26 08:57 PM
Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 498 Likes: 52 Further Up North, WI Geoff Roznak OP Sidelock
OP Geoff Roznak Sidelock Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 498 Likes: 52 Further Up North, WI	Originally Posted by limapapa 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.

Re: Proper technique for a barrel wall thickness gauge Geoff Roznak #671728 02/21/26 02:33 AM
Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 14,563 Likes: 318 Maryland eightbore Sidelock
eightbore Sidelock Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 14,563 Likes: 318 Maryland	Some of the older threads explain the horizontal method using the Manson gauge thoroughly. I don't remember whether there are pictures. I have been through years of using the "hanging from the ceiling" method, but it didn't work unless I was at home. I settled on the horizontal method. A bag of shot is hard to find at a gun show or someone's home, not yours. It is better to have a human being holding the barrels in place over a well padded surface. Jon Hosford showed me how to use the Manson gauge horizontally. He realizes that not everyone can afford to buy his gauge. What a generous move on his part.
	2 members like this: Geoff Roznak, Ted Schefelbein

Re: Proper technique for a barrel wall thickness gauge Geoff Roznak #671734 02/21/26 09:55 AM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 641 Likes: 54 Denver,co. dogon Sidelock
dogon Sidelock Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 641 Likes: 54 Denver,co.	Reading through this thread gave me flashbacks to all the years & threads on several sites of people trying to figure out how to use a Manson gauge for getting consistent accurate measurements. Some of the earliest threads I remember were those posted by Dr. Gaddy and even he had to do a bunch of experimenting with the gauge for getting accurate consistent measurements. My takeaway from all those conversations was. There's a reason why the Hosford wall thickness gauge costs what it does--it's a quality made instrument that simply works & you get what you pay for. One of the best items I've ever bought was my Hosford wall thickness gauge, it's easy to learn to use & is user friendly. The next best barrel related tool I've dropped the bucks for is the Hosford dent raising kit. Between the two of them, they have probably saved me more money & costly gun buying mistakes than the initial cost of purchase of them. Good luck with the Manson gauge, but after reading this thread, I'm glad I went the way I did. Geoff-If we lived closer, I would be happy to get to together & measure your barrels out. We could possibly barter some for a ride in your wonderful drift boat, it would be fun to reconnect with an old not-board friend.
	1 member likes this: Geoff Roznak

Re: Proper technique for a barrel wall thickness gauge Geoff Roznak #671735 02/21/26 10:05 AM
Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 9,882 Likes: 517 AZ but dreaming of KS Drew Hause Sidelock
Drew Hause Sidelock Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 9,882 Likes: 517 AZ but dreaming of KS	Geoff: this pic is on the thread I linked The box is weighted with 25# and the bungie cords secure the barrels but allow me to rotate the barrels while measuring to find the MWT; usually the 3:00 position. My gauge has a measuring tape affixed so I know exactly where I am An assistant (the fella with the barrel) records the numbers here https://sites.google.com/a/damascusknowledge.com/www/home
	1 member likes this: Geoff Roznak

Re: Proper technique for a barrel wall thickness gauge Geoff Roznak #671736 02/21/26 10:18 AM
Joined: May 2013 Posts: 126 Likes: 91 James Flynn Sidelock
James Flynn Sidelock Joined: May 2013 Posts: 126 Likes: 91	Jefff, Get a piece of cold finish flat, say 1/16" to 1/8" thick at least 12" long and 1" wide. Clamp it down where it won't move then practice your technique and check your results with a micrometer. Just my suggestion.
	1 member likes this: Geoff Roznak

Re: Proper technique for a barrel wall thickness gauge Geoff Roznak #671737 02/21/26 10:28 AM
Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 498 Likes: 52 Further Up North, WI Geoff Roznak OP Sidelock
OP Geoff Roznak Sidelock Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 498 Likes: 52 Further Up North, WI	Eightbore, dogon, Drew and James - thanks so much! For the purposes I'm using the gauge - double checking barrels of guns bought at auction for our Ruffed Grouse Society chapter - the Manson gauge is all I'm comfortable spending money on. The Hosford gauge is clearly superior, but the Manson gauge will do what I need it to.

Re: Proper technique for a barrel wall thickness gauge Geoff Roznak #671740 02/21/26 11:59 AM
Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 3,736 Likes: 1154 Parker, Colorado Lloyd3 Sidelock
Lloyd3 Sidelock Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 3,736 Likes: 1154 Parker, Colorado	The tools I have relied upon for the last 20-years...
	1 member likes this: Geoff Roznak

Re: Proper technique for a barrel wall thickness gauge Lloyd3 #671747 02/21/26 01:44 PM
Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 498 Likes: 52 Further Up North, WI Geoff Roznak OP Sidelock
OP Geoff Roznak Sidelock Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 498 Likes: 52 Further Up North, WI	Originally Posted by Lloyd3 The tools I have relied upon for the last 20-years... Great set of tools! More than I need, for what I'm doing though.

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