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Just acquired this used Skeets gauge. A couple of questions. One, can I remove and replace the dial micrometer with one of newer higher quality? If yes can i simply pull the dial out and insert a new one?Two, how do I go about calibration? The unit came with a piece of what appears to be pvc pipe. Not certain. Any help on use appreciated.

Good luck with the .410 gauge.

Thank you for your replies. I have changed out the dial indicator for another higher-end digital indicator that I have as surplus. Indicator is a friction fit and pulls out quite easily. As this unit did not come with the calibration ring I have used a quality choke tube of known diameter +0.700 for calibration. This appears to work quite satisfactorily.

My solution to the .410 bore choke gauge situation is to use a "small hole gauge" and a micrometer. Both can be found on the internet for short money. Way cheaper than another bore micrometer. Maybe Stan will tell us what he uses to measure his .410 chokes.

Why would you have need to replace the gauge? Is it faulty or is there something about it that you just don't like? I've had two Skeet's gauges for many years and have never seen the need to replace anything on them. Just curious.

I suspect that slice of white pipe is a storage and/or transport protector for the measuring head. I'd certainly not rely on it for calibration.

I have a two head model that I purchased new from Brownell's years ago. It came with the tool, two PVX protectors and two blued steel calibration rings. One is .700 and one is .600. With those two it will measure from 28 ga to a standard 10 ga (barely). Chambers only go through 12. I tried the PVC tubes and they are not even close to calibration. After years of use, then only problem is that one of the heads tends to slip loose under use so I stick on a piece of tape. When I get a chance I intend to put a set screw through the brass mount to get rid of depending on the slip fit. The small dial on the face of the main indicator is important to keep in order to correctly read the tenths since the dial runs over several revelations across the gauges. I have never found a need to change or remove it, so don't know exactly how the dial is attached. If you elect to change it be sure you use a multirevolution dial indicator. Anyone with a lathe should be able to make a calibration gauge. The stock ones are more of a tube form; smaller in OD and longer. The longer form is much easier to use in practice. It could be made from any piece of appropriate tubing and bored to ID.

I have always thought that white ring, that is used for transport and storage, as Fudd said, was made of ceramic. I'll look a bit closer at it. I'm still curious as to why the OP wants to replace the gauge, unless it's faulty.


So, I am also wondering, did Dean Harris at Skeet's Gun Shop, in Oklahoma, make the Skeet's Bore Gauges ? I sure would love to have a tiny one to use on .410s.

I have a 3 decade old Skeet's Bore Gauge. The sizing ring is .700" diameter. That ring fits somewhat loosely on the end of the gauge, so the smaller plastic ring was supplied to keep the sizing ring from falling off of the gauge when carrying it.