Hornady o.a.l.gauge

[M-61]

Have to keep buying or sacrificing cases

One case, each size cartridge.
I guess you do if you don't drill and tap correctly

 

[Dusty Stevens]

We just try to share ideas here how to be more precise and in some cases to save money or time. Using a hornady oal checker checks none of those boxes

 

[M-61]

We just try to share ideas here

I thought that's what I was doing.
Well, maybe I don't belong "here".

 

[Old Navy]

I think it is time to agree to disagree. This a Ford, Chevy Dodge topic. Or an 06 vs. .270. Your post are welcome by me M-61. Keep them coming.

 

[LRPV]

Actually, it will take until page 2 for someone to mention the Hornady OAL gauge works just fine as it is. Leave the tool alone. Do not add or subtract some length difference between the Hornady case and a fired case to the measurements. The measurements are solely for establishing basic reference points and do not need to be "adjusted". I really do not understand why the use of the Hornady OAL gauge seems so difficult for some. Use the tool, take the measurements, find what loaded round dimensions actually shoot well on the target, then reproduce the measurements of those actual loaded rounds that shot well. Simple. Unless you make it difficult.

Read it again people just in case you didn’t get it the first time. It’s a comparative number that with practice is repeatable. All you need to know is the difference between the BTO of what you measure with the tool versus what shoots on paper. If you need to trade notes with someone across the country then Wheeler method (I call it that because it’s the first place I ever saw it) is the only way to transfer as close to exact measurements as you can. You do not have to have a hard/real number to go shoot, only a repeatable way to measure and then compare to what shoots good. If you need proof that this method works, I can provide you with some.

FYI, I do make my modified cases from fired and sized brass. The brass needs to be loose though or it will be inaccurate for repeatability.

 

[Bill Norris]

Absolutely, comparative is all that's needed. I fire a case, drill & tap it, and run it thru my F/L bushing die without the bushing. It works for me just fine to obtain a reference and as mentioned with a little practice it will repeat.

 

[josebd]

Absolutely, comparative is all that's needed. I fire a case, drill & tap it, and run it thru my F/L bushing die without the bushing. It works for me just fine to obtain a reference and as mentioned with a little practice it will repeat.

Do you bump the shoulder back?

 

[Old Navy]

I think it is time to agree to disagree. This a Ford, Chevy Dodge topic. Or an 06 vs. .270. Your post are welcome by me M-61. Keep them coming.

And Dusty I enjoy reading all your post. You are well versed in a wide verity of subjects, not just shooting. I worked in industrial repair maintenance for 35 years so I have a good feel for guys that have been there and done that.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

And Dusty I enjoy reading all your post. You are well versed in a wide verity of subjects, not just shooting. I worked in industrial repair maintenance for 35 years so I have a good feel for guys that have been there and done that.

Heres my maintenance man answer to skipping the stripped bolt method such as at a match in a hurry or cant insert my bolt

 

[josebd]

Heres my maintenance man answer to skipping the stripped bolt method such as at a match in a hurry or cant insert my boltView attachment 1317993View attachment 1317994

Explain how it works!

 

[Old Navy]

Sorry, don't understand what that is used for. I don't compete in matches.

 

[Bill Norris]

Do you bump the shoulder back?

Yes Sir. I want the body of the brass to fit as close as possible to my loaded round when chambered.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Sorry, don't understand what that is used for. I don't compete in matches.

Think a hornady oal gage but no drilling cases. You seat a bullet long, shove it in the chamber, and seat them deeper until you dont feel a tiny click as the bullet comes out of the lands. Thats touch. Mine has a br shellholder on one side and a ppc on the other

 

[josebd]

Yes Sir. I want the body of the brass to fit as close as possible to my loaded round when chambered.

How much? .001-.002?

 

[josebd]

Yes Sir. I want the body of the brass to fit as close as possible to my loaded round when chambered.

Then why would you bump the shoulder back?

 

[Bill Norris]

Then why would you bump the shoulder back?

.0015 I want it fit but not have any resistance. I want it to fit like my resized brass.

 

[Old Navy]

Think a hornady oal gage but no drilling cases. You seat a bullet long, shove it in the chamber, and seat them deeper until you dont feel a tiny click as the bullet comes out of the lands. Thats touch. Mine has a br shellholder on one side and a ppc on the other

Cool. How much neck tension?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Cool. How much neck tension?

Whatever im shooting at the time. I use the press to seat the bullet deeper as i go and if i go too far its a fouler then.

 

[Old Navy]

Whatever im shooting at the time. I use the press to seat the bullet deeper as i go and if i go too far its a fouler then.

You should go into business building and selling them.

 

[acloco]

I’m kind of in a hurry,don’t have time to wait for one

Then don't. Grab a fired case from your rifle, with your favorite dremel cutoff wheel, slit the case from the mouth to the neck shoulder junction, in 3 places. Debur.

Slightly pinch the three tangs of the case neck, place bullet 1/10" into the neck, insert into chamber, and close the bolt. Place open cleaning rod on top of bullet, while applying light pressure on cleaning rod, gently open bolt, remove dummy round, and measure your MAX COAL.