Looking for calipers under 100$

[Bigeclipse]

when I first purchased calipers for reloading, I got a budget set from Harbour Freight. The appeared to work but recently they started giving me erratic numbers and not holding zero. I have now lost faith in them. I am not an extreme reloader so I do not need to spend hundreds of dollars on the most accurate reading ones. Just looking for ones I can have faith in to give me decently accurate readings. Budget is under 100$. Any and all opinions please!

 

[bigedp51]

iGaging ABSOLUTE ORIGIN 0-6" Digital Electronic Caliper - IP54 Protection / Extreme Accuracy
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00INL0BTS/?tag=lrhmag19-20

 

[Dosh]

Big, my preference is the manual caliper. I have a expensive digital, but it eats batteries and it seems to need replacement at the worst time. My Starrett manual caliper which I found at a garage sale, is very reliably accurate. I've seen Starrett manual caliper on the net for under $100.

 

[Elkeater]

I have a Hornady caliper that I think was like $50 that seems to work well

 

[bob4]

My analog RCBS still doing well after 5 yrs or so. Well within your budget on clearance. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1458630852/rcbs-dial-caliper-6-stainless-steel

 

[lancetkenyon]

I used a Harbor Freight for a few years. I ordered an iGaging EZ Cal for $25 shipped on Ebay. Very nice quality, very consistent, and still reasonable priced.

 

[ShtrRdy]

On tools, the way I look at it is if you buy something well made it will last a lifetime. Many years ago I bought a used analog Starrett. It was probably made in the 70's or 80's. It is so reliable to use.

 

[Edd]

My favorite caliper is a Starrett 120A-6. New ones are about $200. You can find used ones on ebay for less.

 

[Gwine]

I have a Dillon analog that I bought in the 90's still works great. I do have a digital, but I prefer the analog for most reloading tasks. I can set the pointer for my desired dimension and can tell at a glance +/-discrepancies.

 

[KyCarl]

I have one of those black faced Brown & Sharpe 6" Dial type and they work
fine..And have for many years..

 

[MudRunner2005]

I have been using my Starrett 799A-6 for 8+ years and it's been an awesome caliper. I highly recommend spending a little bit more and getting something like it, or the Mitutoyo equivalent.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YGIQ87G/?tag=lrhmag19-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JPHK2NO/?tag=lrhmag19-20

 

[KyCarl]

I have a brand new Mitutoyo never had the battery installed plastic box and paper work
battery..everything..I'll sell for 100 bucks If you are interested I'll go get the model number..

 

[iowaelkbum]

Mitutoyo is my first pick. As already mentioned Starrett are also nice. Either will last a lifetime with proper care.

 

[jrock]

If an electronic one is giving bad values, put in a new battery. Sometimes on low power, they don't work. Take the battery out when not in use and they last years.

I use one of Frankfort Arsenal's digitals. Worked well for about 5 years until the off button stopped working. I classify that caliper set as +-.001. I look for calipers in the $50 range and wait for a good sale to get them. Got my last one from Shars for <$20 on sale.

I use micrometers for case dimensions and finishing passes on the machines. Precise micrometers can be had cheaper than precise calipers.