something to check crimp?

First topic message reminder :

I recall seeing somebody post a pic of a metal plate with holes from 0.466-0.470 for checking crimp. Is that something that can be bought somewhere? I have a hard time getting accurate measurements with dial calipers.

Jack H wrote:My Starrett and Mauser dial calipers both zero perfectly, and also read perfectly on my 1"  Starrett standard.  The cheap digital has a zero button, but then measures the 1" std as .999

I swear that when I was buying precision hand inspection tools & instruments the brand name "Mauser" was made in Germany and were of exceptional quality & integrity. That time frame goes back into the early '80's

Mauser made precision vernier calipers for many years after WW2.

Mauser could not make firearms after WW2 so they made instruments like the calipers.   I  do not know how my Mauser dial caliper came to be made in France.  Later production maybe.  Anyway it is every bit as good as the Starrett

Your best option is blade mike's if using a micrometer.
The blades stay in a fixed position.
As suggested, lock them in a fixed dimension. Preferably on a precision measured item like jo blocks or Gage pin.
Then slide the crimped cartridge against the micrometer blades.
Or do the same with calipers. As long as the reference is accurate, a c clamp will do.

My experience with digital caliper is that they are poor till you get into the. $100 range..just not consistent. Cheaper dials are better but....   you are much better off buying a used quality tool.

Just me but use whatever method you want to measure crimp but be consistent

I agree, but, if set to a qualified reference and locked anything rigid will work

True 

I will say for the average person a micrometer is much easier to get accurate readings and even cheap ones are pretty accurate within a 1"range