Concentricity Tool Use

[Fotheringill]

I was very pleasantly surprised last evening when I used my new Hornady Concentricity Gauge/Tool.
I loaded 60 .223 and then measured. I was no more than .0015 off variance on any round.

I was figuring to get +/- 2's or 3's and that would explain my lousy target. I have now eliminated all but poor shooting techniques from my list of excuses.

On another note, I did a load last week of 50 fire formed cases using Hornady brass. I had to go down to .244 bushings in the Redding Competition neck sizing die. Many bullets were able to be hand pulled out of the cases. I then used a Lee collet neck sizer. Bullets were fitted nicely with only .0015 difference between seated necks and unseated necks. It beats me as to why the Lee will accomplish what the Redding won't unless the diameter of .244 is too large.

 

[dcali]

Your bushing was too large. Try .243 or maybe even .242. Sounds like you're basically at or just a hair over zero neck tension with the .244.

 

[mikecr]

The Hornady will not show runout.
It's very likely your TIR is much higher.

What was your basis for the .244 bushing? That is, why did you choose it?

 

[CTK]

New
The Hornady will not show runout.
It's very likely your TIR is much higher.

Could you please explain? The Hornady Concentricity Tool just shows bullet concentricity?

 

[kountryboy2]

New
The Hornady will not show runout.
It's very likely your TIR is much higher.

Could you please explain? The Hornady Concentricity Tool just shows bullet concentricity?

Careful you might open a can of worms. The tool you choose is ok. Concentricity tools should fall under the don't ask,dont tell policy.

 

[Deleted old_dood]

I was very pleasantly surprised last evening when I used my new Hornady Concentricity Gauge/Tool.
I loaded 60 .223 and then measured. I was no more than .0015 off variance on any round.

I was figuring to get +/- 2's or 3's and that would explain my lousy target. I have now eliminated all but poor shooting techniques from my list of excuses.

On another note, I did a load last week of 50 fire formed cases using Hornady brass. I had to go down to .244 bushings in the Redding Competition neck sizing die. Many bullets were able to be hand pulled out of the cases. I then used a Lee collet neck sizer. Bullets were fitted nicely with only .0015 difference between seated necks and unseated necks. It beats me as to why the Lee will accomplish what the Redding won't unless the diameter of .244 is too large.

measure the neck of a loaded round with a micrometer, then subtract .002-.003 from that measurement to get the bushing size.

 

[Fotheringill]

Al: Been there and done that.

I chose .244 since .246 and .245 wouldn't hold the bullet.

 

[Fotheringill]

I am now totally confused.
Please see Midway link for description of the Hornady tool

http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/22...ng+Equipment+(Not+Presses)-_-Hornady-_-220200

 

[Grimstod]

The hornady tool indicates of the rim. Very poor design. Cartridges are suported in the chamber bu the body. Not the rim. So youshould indicate from the body too

 

[Shynloco]

I am now totally confused.
Please see Midway link for description of the Hornady tool

http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/220200/hornady-lock-n-load-ammunition-concentricity-tool?cm_mmc=pf_ci_bing-_-Reloading+-+Metallic+Reloading+Equipment+(Not+Presses)-_-Hornady-_-220200

Not to speak poorly of your Hornady concentricity Gauge, but I have one and found it to be woefully inaccurate when comparing measurement of the same loaded or unloaded casings using either the Sinclair Concentricity Tool or the 21st Century Concentricity Gauge. Measurements in various locations and overall runout of casings and casings with bullets seated measured anywhere from .001-.003 LOWER on the Hornady than the other two more precise and sensitive gauges. In other words, the actual runout or concentricity is higher (worse) than the Hornady Gauge measures. I still have the Hornady gauge because I can't bring myself to unload/sell such a flawed tool to any respectable reloader.

Alex

 

[mikecr]

Al: Been there and done that.
I chose .244 since .246 and .245 wouldn't hold the bullet.

And it sounds to me like the .244 doesn't hold the bullet either..
So you either over annealed necks, or you did not subtract from loaded neck diameter in determining correct bushing.

On runout, you should figure out what it takes to measure straight ammo. With this, the light bulb should come on about it.

 

[Fotheringill]

Shynloco-

I can unload the tool right back to Sinclair's, where purchased.
I will look into the others.

Mike- I don't anneal. Wife drew the line with me and an open torch at home. This may change in time.

Thanks for advice.

 

[amlevin]

Shynloco-

I can unload the tool right back to Sinclair's, where purchased.
I will look into the others.

Mike- I don't anneal. Wife drew the line with me and an open torch at home. This may change in time.

Thanks for advice.

So you don't have an outdoor patio? All you need is a table and a "Workmate" will fill that need if the patio table is off limits. Torch, metal mixing bowl, cordless drill, socket, socket adapter, and in the winter a warm coat.

 

[Fotheringill]

It is probably my fault when I started to hand load. My wife asked me where I was storing powder and I replied along the lines of "on top of the burner box to make sure it is nice and dry". It was not well received. I will eventually get there.

 

[Deleted old_dood]

It is probably my fault when I started to hand load. My wife asked me where I was storing powder and I replied along the lines of "on top of the burner box to make sure it is nice and dry". It was not well received. I will eventually get there.

at least she does all the gunsmithing for you. will you be teaching her how to anneal?

 

[Fotheringill]

She doesn't do everything. She tells me when and how to tighten and loosen things.
I also failed to mention (but as you have personally observed), she is a better shot than me.

As to the gauges, return label printed to send the Hornady back to Brownell's and 21st Century tool ordered.

 

[Iowa Fox]

I just wish bushings weren't quite as expensive as they have gotten. Didn't seem bad when they first came out but now that I'm retired I can't buy bushings just to try like I used to.

 

[JimPag]

That Hornady tool makes a better chock block than a concentricity gauge.

 

[jawjaboy]

Wish I'd seen a post like this before I bought a Hornady a couple years ago. At least you can get the Sinclair without the dial indicator so I can use that off the Hornady.

 

[CTK]

Please help me understand this. I am a rookie to high level reloading. I thought that the Hornady tool was to measure the "concentricity" of the loaded round. If I remember correctly the directions have you measure at the ogive of the bullet. If the bullet is in there crooked or is a "non concentric" bullet it will show large variance on the dial. I have had loads that showed a great amount of wobble (my term). At first I tried to use the little screw that was supposed to correct this problem. Quickly realized that was folly and just use it the tool to spot check loads. Cruddy tool or not, it has shown that Redding Competition dies produce a less wobbly bullet seating than did traditional dies. Is this not bullet seating "runout"? Am I confusing case concentricity with bullet seating concentricity and calling the wrong one runout? So the tool is not complete junk. If you see a .003 or more "wobble" you at least know there is a problem. I am guessing that the case and neck have to be measured as well to diagnose the source of the "wobble".