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Hoping to find some kind of resource somewhere that will allow me to compare the sizes of other game systems models to WH40K.

Does anyone know how I can find out the size/scale of things like Reaper, Inifinty, Privateer etc etc. Also base sizes and shapes? There must be a way to find out which of these models work really well in WH40K but I'm struggling to find any cast iron answers so I come to you Dakka cause you never let me down!

Anything that is 25-30mm would be fine if placed side by side with GW minis. The problem with GW minis is that they have distorted proportions so you have to gauge by eye. Try searching for the forums for photo size comparisons.

The problem with some ranges is that some figures will be large, and others will be a bit small even within the same range. There's 'true 28mm', and 'heroic 28mm'. GW are the 'heroic', they are oversized 28mm, proper 28mm will look a bit small. But a lot of companies producing fantasy figures in 28mm are following GW's lead and making them oversized too. Historical 28mm figures are more likely to appear small compared to GW because they are more true to 28mm.

Generally, all companies making 28mm fantasy figures are roughly compatible in size, though their sculpting styles may not be. Reaper, Herest, Mantic, Infinity etc, are all about the same size.

That's good news, thanks for the info. What about bases - how do you know whether they are right? They might be round but are they the right height etc?

Most any 25mm base is fine. The difference in height between manufacturers is miniscule and not worth worrying about. Just make sure the diameter is the same as the base you are replacing.

Most bases aren't an issue, it's the size and style of the models.

Reaper models are all over the place. Some are right on with GW, some are much smaller, and some (especially some of the Chronoscope line) are a full head taller than standard GW

Infinity. Not entirely sure, but I think they are taller than GW, they are definitely more slender in proportion than GW.

Privateer press can sometimes be a touch taller, but the proportions, size and style are very similar to GW.

There is no concrete list, but your best bet is to search online for pics of the figs you are interested in, either next to GW figs, or next to a ruler. It's also a good idea to email the company and ask for the exact height of a fig from "sole to eye". Sole to eye is the standard measurement for figures and eliminates guesswork when it comes to bareheads, helmets and caps.

Another good way to go about it is to post up the kind of figs you're looking for and specify that they be GW compatible.

Another "scale" to consider is price: GW's plastics seem to be rapidly approaching the £5 PER FIGURE level, which is bad news for we poor horde army types.
Apart from those already mentioned, the following firms do at least a few figures compatible with 40k; some may be a tad shorter or taller, just adapt your fluff to cover the difference:

EM4 make metal or plastic equivalents of IG, and a handful of "aliens", although they're a bit smaller than GW stuff, they make good Elysians and tyrrannids.

Ramshackle Games have a good range, some a bit quirky, but ideal for one-offs like Henchmen.

Pardulon in Germany have a good set of "rebel" militia.

Second city Games, in UK, are redoing a lot of old VOID figures, but a bit expensive.

1/48 SCALE historics are also fairly close in size, a few head/torso swaps and they'll look right.

But back to reality, even historically tall units like British Guards regiments have some differences in height between individuals.

Models-wise, in a display cupboard at eye level from 12 inches away, you'll see a difference between 25/28/30mm tal figures; from 3-4 feet and looking down on a gaming table with a couple of hundred infantry, you won't notice.

IG GENERAL wrote:Another "scale" to consider is price: GW's plastics seem to be rapidly approaching the £5 PER FIGURE level, which is bad news for we poor horde army types.
Apart from those already mentioned, the following firms do at least a few figures compatible with 40k; some may be a tad shorter or taller, just adapt your fluff to cover the difference:

EM4 make metal or plastic equivalents of IG, and a handful of "aliens", although they're a bit smaller than GW stuff, they make good Elysians and tyrrannids.

Ramshackle Games have a good range, some a bit quirky, but ideal for one-offs like Henchmen.

Pardulon in Germany have a good set of "rebel" militia.

Second city Games, in UK, are redoing a lot of old VOID figures, but a bit expensive.

1/48 SCALE historics are also fairly close in size, a few head/torso swaps and they'll look right.

But back to reality, even historically tall units like British Guards regiments have some differences in height between individuals.

Models-wise, in a display cupboard at eye level from 12 inches away, you'll see a difference between 25/28/30mm tal figures; from 3-4 feet and looking down on a gaming table with a couple of hundred infantry, you won't notice.

Good list. I would disagree about 1/48 historics. The proportions are so different as to be jarring when placed alongside 28mm figs. The vehicles tend to look good though.
Pig Iron is another good one.

What the OP needs to decide is how much variation is acceptable. Some folks are fine with anything from 25 to 32 on the table. Some folks want everything to be the same style and size. Some folks will fudge the scale a bit, but not too much.

As I said before. When you find some figs that catch your eye, post up here and there will be folks here who can tell you exactly how close the figs are to GW scale and style.

Try "THE MINIATURES PAGE".
They often have pictures showing various ranges against each other.

As for Reaper. The pictures of their stuff (on their site) often have two little triangles on one side. These two marks are 1" apart, to help determine sizing.

eM-4 has Mark Copplestone's old Grenadier sculpts (he designed the RT commissar models) - Miriliton also has these casts available. They are a little smaller than current IG, but work alongside them.
Mark Copplestone himself makes and sells newer versions of his stuff from his website, Copplestone castings.
Foundry miniatures ALSO have some suitable stuff (some of it also by MC) under their "Street violence" line.