Cartridge trimmer gauge

Abstract

A trimmer gauge for a case trimmer. The trimmer gauge may include a fixed-length shaft that is a threshold length of a case and sized to precisely set a blade extension distance for a case trimmer. A first end of the fixed-length shaft may be flat and a second end of the fixed-length shaft may be tapered. At least a portion of an outer surface of the fixed-length shaft includes a first groove located a threshold distance from the first end. The groove may be shaped to receive arms of a collet of the case trimmer.

1 . A trimmer gauge for removable use within a case trimmer, the trimmer gauge comprising a fixed-length shaft that is a threshold length of a case, wherein a first end of the shaft is flat and a second end of the shaft is tapered, and wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of the fixed-length shaft includes a first groove located a threshold distance from the first end, the first groove being shaped to receive arms of a collet of the case trimmer. 
     
     
         2 . The trimmer gauge of  claim 1 , wherein the fixed-length shaft comprises a material that is harder than a blade of the case trimmer. 
     
     
         3 . The trimmer gauge of  claim 1 , wherein the fixed-length shaft comprises a hardness of at least 4 on the Mohs scale. 
     
     
         4 . The trimmer gauge of  claim 1 , wherein the fixed-length shaft is shaped to fit into the case trimmer. 
     
     
         5 . The trimmer gauge of  claim 1 , wherein the threshold length comprises a maximum length of the case that enables a bullet cartridge to be loaded into a chamber a gun while leaving a maximum amount of casing material. 
     
     
         6 . The trimmer gauge of  claim 1 , wherein the fixed-length shaft is a single piece of material. 
     
     
         7 . The trimmer gauge of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the first end of the fixed-length shaft includes a second groove that is circumferentially defined to be smaller than an outer circumference of the first end of the fixed-length shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The trimmer gauge of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the outer surface of the fixed-length shaft between the first end and the second end comprises a pattern that is pressed or cut into the portion of the surface to increase grip. 
     
     
         9 . The trimmer gauge of  claim 1 , wherein the threshold length of the fixed-length shaft defines a blade extension distance of a blade of the case trimmer. 
     
     
         10 . The trimmer gauge of  claim 1 , wherein the threshold length of the case is a minimum length of the case for loading the case into a chamber of a gun. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus comprising:
 a fixed-length shaft that is insertable within a case trimmer to set a blade extension distance of a blade of the case trimmer, the fixed-length shaft made of a material that is harder than the blade;   a knurling attached to a portion of an outer surface of the fixed-length shaft; and   wherein the fixed-length shaft comprises:
 a first notch located on a first side of the fixed-length shaft between a first end and a second end of the fixed-length shaft; and 
 a second notch located on a second side of the fixed-length shaft between the first end and the second end of the fixed-length shaft. 
   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the second end of the fixed-length shaft includes a cavity shaped to receive the blade of the case trimmer and to set the blade extension distance. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the fixed-length shaft further comprises a groove defined in the outer surface of the fixed-length shaft a threshold distance between the first end and the second end of the fixed-length shaft, wherein the groove is shaped and positioned to receive arms of a collet of the case trimmer. 
     
     
         14 . The fixed-length shaft of  claim 11 , wherein the fixed-length shaft is a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) material, a polycarbonate material, a steel material, a stainless steel material, or a brass material. 
     
     
         15 . The fixed-length shaft of  claim 11 , wherein the fixed-length shaft is approximately a size and a length of a .22 caliber bullet. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the fixed-length shaft has a minimum tensile strength of 515 Megapascals (MPa), a minimum yield strength of 205 pounds per square inch (PSI), and a minimum impact hardness of 110 pounds per feet. 
     
     
         17 . A system comprising:
 a case trimmer comprising:
 a holder including arms to hold a case of a bullet; and 
 a cutting blade configured to trim the case of the bullet to a length that depends on an extension distance set for the cutting blade; and 
   a trimmer gauge disposable in the holder, wherein the trimmer gauge comprises a fixed-length shaft sized to a threshold length at which to set the extension distance for the cutting blade, wherein the fixed-length shaft comprises a groove defined within at least a portion of an outer surface of the fixed-length shaft and located a threshold distance from a first end of the fixed-length shaft, the groove being shaped to receive the arms of the holder.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the fixed-length shaft comprises a first material that is harder than a second material of the cutting blade. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the threshold length of the case is a minimum length of the case for loading the case into a chamber of a gun. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the trimmer gauge further comprises a cavity located at a second end of the fixed-length shaft, wherein the cavity partially extends within the second end of the fixed-length shaft towards the first end of the fixed-length shaft, the cavity being sized to receive the cutting blade and to set the extension distance for the cutting blade.