So I bit the bullet and bought an accuracy one comparator for my .204 and .243. I have the Hornady comparator but honestly it’s annoying to use. I feel like I am juggling the calipers and never get a solid connection to the cartridge base with my .204. If I can add one more element of precision to my measurements I will feel better. The only negative I still have is the oal gauge from Hornady.
I have had a few frustrations with using my Hornady OAL gauge and wish there was something better out there. I have gotten a bit more consistent with it but my main gripes are the plastic rod and inconsistent cartridge size (I may end up sending Hornady a fired case to use my own). If the tool was machined more precisely with a metal rod that moved more smoothly I would be happier with it. The cost would go up but if I was too worried about that I would find cheaper hobbies. I wish the Sinclair gauge was still around. I have seen the Forester one but the clamps being plastic I wasn’t too enamored of the design.
My chamber neck is a little tighter than SAAMI specs so I might be feeling some stickiness there when pushing a round through. I have tried pushing per hornadys instructions as well as letting the lands push the bullet back gently into the case. I am finally getting consistency using both methods but that was after I polished the heck out of the Hornady case. I know I am probably jamming the bullet a bit as well bc I often leave one inside but both techniques are as firm as I need to “feel” where the round is. It’s not as smooth as I would like due to the plastic and some bullet designs are still sticky as they move through the case neck. I don’t mind paying for a precision instrument but I hate something that is made to do a job with precision and it ends up being subjective.
If anyone knows of anything out there that is better for measuring oal/ogive let me know. Some machinist reloader out there has to be using something better.
I have had a few frustrations with using my Hornady OAL gauge and wish there was something better out there. I have gotten a bit more consistent with it but my main gripes are the plastic rod and inconsistent cartridge size (I may end up sending Hornady a fired case to use my own). If the tool was machined more precisely with a metal rod that moved more smoothly I would be happier with it. The cost would go up but if I was too worried about that I would find cheaper hobbies. I wish the Sinclair gauge was still around. I have seen the Forester one but the clamps being plastic I wasn’t too enamored of the design.
My chamber neck is a little tighter than SAAMI specs so I might be feeling some stickiness there when pushing a round through. I have tried pushing per hornadys instructions as well as letting the lands push the bullet back gently into the case. I am finally getting consistency using both methods but that was after I polished the heck out of the Hornady case. I know I am probably jamming the bullet a bit as well bc I often leave one inside but both techniques are as firm as I need to “feel” where the round is. It’s not as smooth as I would like due to the plastic and some bullet designs are still sticky as they move through the case neck. I don’t mind paying for a precision instrument but I hate something that is made to do a job with precision and it ends up being subjective.
If anyone knows of anything out there that is better for measuring oal/ogive let me know. Some machinist reloader out there has to be using something better.
