Hints on Hornady OAL tool use

[fatelvis]

After using the Hornady comparator for a few years to check bullet to land measurements, I've settled on a method that produces very repeatable results for me, (giving me confidence in my measurements)
1) Clean the chamber, leade, and barrel thoroughly before starting.
2) Use a new bullet from the box that you intend on testing.
3) I have better luck with the angled slider device. The minimal friction from the bend actually seems to help in locking it down accurately.
4) Loosen the thumb screw and allow bullet to fall deeply into the test case.
5) Place test case/bullet into rifle while in horizontal position, and push lightly to seat case in chamber.
6) Hold case in place by placing thumb on back of bend of slider body, as you tilt the rifle up, and stand it on it's muzzle. (Of course use carpet or some padding to avoid crown damage.)
7) While maintaining light pressure on the slider body to insure the case is seated in the chamber, Lightly and carefully push slider in just until resistance is felt and stop.(Tilting the rifle up will allow the bullet to slide into the throat, so any resistance is feeling the bullet already against the lands). Gently tighten thumb screw.
8) Carefully pull out slider/case combo and set aside.
9) Gently dislodge the bullet by standing rifle on butt, or pushing a cleaning rod down muzzle.
10) Set bullet in test case and measure.
Standing the rifle on it's muzzle really seemed to help in the consistancy of measurements. After trying each bullet 3 times, measurements rarely vary by more than a half a thou.
Hope this helps you guys, Lord knows I've learned enough from you all!

 

[hogpatrol]

Have you used the Wheeler method and compared to see if there's a difference? On a new build, without the ejector, I try the selection of bullets I intend to use and then compare the numbers to what I get with the Hornady tool.

 

[fatelvis]

Have you used the Wheeler method and compared to see if there's a difference? On a new build, without the ejector, I try the selection of bullets I intend to use and then compare the numbers to what I get with the Hornady tool.

I use the Wheeler method when determining how much bump to give with my sizing die. Very good method, but I feel the camming action of the bolt too easily jams the bullet into the rifling. The slider can be moved very gently, by feel, helping to prevent jamming the bullet.

 

[Dub]

After using the Hornady comparator for a few years to check bullet to land measurements, I've settled on a method that produces very repeatable results for me, (giving me confidence in my measurements)
1) Clean the chamber, leade, and barrel thoroughly before starting.
2) Use a new bullet from the box that you intend on testing.
3) I have better luck with the angled slider device. The minimal friction from the bend actually seems to help in locking it down accurately.
4) Loosen the thumb screw and allow bullet to fall deeply into the test case.
5) Place test case/bullet into rifle while in horizontal position, and push lightly to seat case in chamber.
6) Hold case in place by placing thumb on back of bend of slider body, as you tilt the rifle up, and stand it on it's muzzle. (Of course use carpet or some padding to avoid crown damage.)
7) While maintaining light pressure on the slider body to insure the case is seated in the chamber, Lightly and carefully push slider in just until resistance is felt and stop.(Tilting the rifle up will allow the bullet to slide into the throat, so any resistance is feeling the bullet already against the lands). Gently tighten thumb screw.
8) Carefully pull out slider/case combo and set aside.
9) Gently dislodge the bullet by standing rifle on butt, or pushing a cleaning rod down muzzle.
10) Set bullet in test case and measure.
Standing the rifle on it's muzzle really seemed to help in the consistancy of measurements. After trying each bullet 3 times, measurements rarely vary by more than a half a thou.
Hope this helps you guys, Lord knows I've learned enough from you all!

I do this and get 15 different results in 15 try. cannot for the life of me figure it out

 

[fatelvis]

I do this and get 15 different results in 15 try. cannot for the life of me figure it out

I feel your pain. Have you tried tilting it up on the muzzle? That seems to make a world of difference. Between that and gently pushing on the slider and lightly tightening the thumbscrew, I can finally get repeatable results. You will get the touch for it after a few times. That’s my i’ll reason for writing this! LOL

 

[Dub]

yes I have it tilted up. very frustrating trying to figure it out. should be pretty easy

 

[F Class John]

I do this and get 15 different results in 15 try. cannot for the life of me figure it out

You only 15? I usually get 16 results in 15 tries...

wheeler method all the way...but I’m glad the OP has found success for himself using that method.

That being said I still own the Hornady gauge. I like having a backup for comparing in case I doubt myself.

 

[Dub]

You only 15? I usually get 16 results in 15 tries...

hahahaha I hear ya

 

[David Christian]

Stripped bolt method is so repeatable. I started with the Wheeler method, but instead of closing the bolt completely and listening/ feeling for the click on the way back out, I gradually seat deeper and deeper until the bolt drops by gravity, therefore you never fully cam over the action.

All of these methods give you a relative measurement, but the key is to find precision in repeatability.

 

[fatelvis]

Stripped bolt method is so repeatable. I started with the Wheeler method, but instead of closing the bolt completely and listening/ feeling for the click on the way back out, I gradually seat deeper and deeper until the bolt drops by gravity, therefore you never fully cam over the action.

All of these methods give you a relative measurement, but the key is to find precision in repeatability.

Now I have to say I’ve never tried that method, but it sounds promising.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Now I have to say I’ve never tried that method, but it sounds promising.

Its free and what youll end up using anyway once you get deeper down the wormhole. May as well start now!!

 

[bozo699]

You only 15? I usually get 16 results in 15 tries...

wheeler method all the way...but I’m glad the OP has found success for himself using that method.

That being said I still own the Hornady gauge. I like having a backup for comparing in case I doubt myself.

I’ve been noticing a lot of people being unusually cranky on here most likely from being confined!.....
Very classy reply John

I personally use the Hornady tool and hate it but will try the op’s method but I want to get better at wheeler method .
Wayne

 

[ihmsakiwi]

I do this and get 15 different results in 15 try. cannot for the life of me figure it out

+1

 

[KY_Windage]

I do this and get 15 different results in 15 try. cannot for the life of me figure it out

Maybe your lands were not cut evenly?

It takes a little practice but I have used the Hornady tool in many rifles and have never had a problem with inconsistency.

 

[Ned Ludd]

Maybe your lands were not cut evenly?

It takes a little practice but I have used the Hornady tool in many rifles and have never had a problem with inconsistency.

+1 on this. It takes a little practice, but is very straightforward. It makes me a little nervous that people whom apparently cannot master using the Hornady OAL gauge are actually using firearms .

 

[RegionRat]

I don’t find it a surprise at all when several different people all come up with a different answer using the Hornady (Stoney Point) gage. I would be far more surprised if they didn’t.

The definition of “different” answers using this tool might not mean the same to everyone, so I’ll throw out a number. An uncertainty of at least 5 mils between folks doesn’t surprise me at all, and even 10 mils is probably more average. After all, there is no standardized gage force for this measurement, so one operator may have a dainty touch and the next guy steps up and acts like he is using the ram rod on a muzzle loader.

Even double blinding the same operator gave us typical numbers like 10 mils, so I’m not at all surprised or more importantly I’m not really concerned because it was all okay either way.

The important thing was to pick a method that you got the least dispersion with and try to keep it the same. No worries.

 

[Raythemanroe]

All those that use the Stoney Point comparator "successfully" and use it as the go to method, I could have you use the same setup/equipment and each one would have a different result. If you pay attention, the ones recommending you try what Wheeler made a YouTube video showing is repeatable person to person when done correctly. This doesn't just give you repeatability but actual knowledge of where your bullet is at in relationship to the lands. It's kind of good to know when working up loads and taking notes. I will bet what one calls just touching with the comparator is in actuality closer to .010 in.

Ray

 

[dolek]

If a person can't master the Hornady tool they sure as heck should not be trying the "Stripped bolt" method.

 

[dgeesaman]

All those that use the Stoney Point comparator "successfully" and use it as the go to method, I could have you use the same setup/equipment and each one would have a different result. If you pay attention, the ones recommending you try what Wheeler made a YouTube video showing is repeatable person to person when done correctly. This doesn't just give you repeatability but actual knowledge of where your bullet is at in relationship to the lands. It's kind of good to know when working up loads and taking notes. I will bet what one calls just touching with the comparator is in actuality closer to .010 in.

Ray

I get that is a good thing, but it doesn’t matter. When I have to trust someone else to tell me my seating depth settings, then it will matter.

For now my Hornady/Stoney Point setup gives repeatable easy results and does not require me to seat and pull a perfectly good bullet. It might vary a thou here or there but so will my lands in another 50 rounds.

FWIW I did once attempt both methods side by side and got within .003”. I was pushing the bullet it more firmly with the Hornady tool and I’m ok with that.

Also FWIW I’m using fired brass not Hornadys brass.

David

 

[fatelvis]

I get that is a good thing, but it doesn’t matter. When I have to trust someone else to tell me my seating depth settings, then it will matter.

That is a great way of looking at it. As long as I’m taking the measurements for my own use, whatever is quickest and simplest, and still gives me repeatable and accurate measurements, wins.