Hornady OAL Gauge

[Shooter13]

That gauge is garbage. Go with the manual method,

I have found this to be the most reliable method yet, I do have the Sinclair tool and the Hornady, even though it is plastic push rod it does work well.

 

[mchees1]

This is far more simple than than it seems. The Hornady OAL gauge works very well if someone makes even a modest effort to learn how to use it properly. It's simple, fast, and it works.

Further, (and this is worth repeating over and over until people "get it"), a small amount variance in whatever method people choose to use to determine the distance to touching the lands has no bearing whatsoever on optimizing seating depth and precision. Absolutely none.

Regardless of the method used, all we're trying to do is generate a measurement value for use as a reference point. Nothing else. Once you have that number, whether it is absolutely spot on, off by .002", or even off by .005" or .010", the accuracy of the value you're using has no impact on subsequent seating depth testing or precision. The CBTO (cartridge base-to-ogive) of loaded rounds can be measured with excellent accuracy and precision. Moreover, a given CBTO can also be reproduced at will with excellent accuracy and precision.

For example, if the initial reference measurement is off by a couple thousandths, all that means is that your seating depth test target will tell you that rounds loaded at .010" off the lands showed the best grouping, when in actuality, .012" off the lands was the true value. It doesn't matter, you can easily reproduce whatever CBTO you believe gave the best precision. You will never know that the true value of distance to touching the lands was actually off by .002", and it will make no difference whatsoever in terms of precision. The target will tell you exactly which loaded rounds gave the best precision, and you will have directly measured those rounds for CBTO, and can then reproduce that CBTO to within +/- .0005" at will. The initial reference value no longer has any real importance at that point.

+1 on this. My Hornady gives me repeatable CBTO length for every rifle and caliber I own - always 0.001 or less (caliper measures to 0.0005). Agree that it is a reference point that is absolutely repeatable.

 

[jepp2]

On a note:
Personally find the "stripped bolt method" accurate to a 1/2-thousandths or less (once a person gets the method mastered a bit). With the Hornady OAL, I agree with your .002" input to accuracy, which is to much in my opinion, and since .002" variance can take a load off it's seating node center.

For those folks having success with Alex's method, does it work on as well on a Remington 700 action (most are known to have primary extraction deficiencies)?

Old dog, wanting to learn new tricks.

 

[mike a]

Then you have guys like me with my Bighorn actions. I've been using the Wheeler method with good repeatably. Just not in the Bighorns. I like what Nedd and Donovan have to say. Maybe you guys can come up with a floating bolt head technique. Argh! Mike

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Then you have guys like me with my Bighorn actions. I've been using the Wheeler method with good repeatably. Just not in the Bighorns. I like what Nedd and Donovan have to say. Maybe you guys can come up with a floating bolt head technique. Argh! Mike

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/arc-nucleus-action-reviews.3985594/

Check like post #7 by pat miles to see one solution for a particular bolt head. Gotta think outside the box and come up with a solution

 

[mike a]

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/arc-nucleus-action-reviews.3985594/

Check like post #7 by pat miles to see one solution for a particular bolt head. Gotta think outside the box and come up with a solution

I guess I'm missing it Dusty. Are we talking about a redesigned bolt head?

 

[hpshooter]

"Check like post #7 by pat miles to see one solution for a particular bolt head. Gotta think outside the box and come up with a solution"

When using the Wheeler method on a Savage I use one wrap of Scotch Magic Mending tape to retain the cross pin for the bolt head. Check to be sure the bolt will drop closed from its own weight to assure the tape is not introducing drag.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I guess I'm missing it Dusty. Are we talking about a redesigned bolt head?

No im just saying there is ways to remove the cocking piece but still retain the bolt head

 

[Bogusname]

I like to use the Hornady tool for starting the stripped bolt method.