O.A.L guage problem

[Allen Roberts]

When using the Hornady OAL guage I rarely get the same measurements two times in a row. Depending on when I take the measurements, they vary quite a bit. I try to clean the barrel before measuring. It’s frustrating.

 

[Timon]

I don’t think you will ever get the same number time after time, with that tool. A lot depends upon how hard you are pushing on the bullet. If you don’t push with the exact same force every time, you’ll rarely, if ever get the same results twice. I used to do it several times then just take the average. Many years ago I abandoned the Hornady for other methods to get this number. If you search on YouTube, you’ll find a number of them.

 

[GLShooter]

I had the same issue. I switched to gge Distance to Lands tool from Brownells and tge problem went away. Faster, cheaper and more repeatable.

 

[JFrank]

When using the Hornady OAL guage I rarely get the same measurements two times in a row. Depending on when I take the measurements, they vary quite a bit. I try to clean the barrel before measuring. It’s frustrating.

With a clean barrel you should be able to get a repeatable stop/stick point by gently pushing the same bullet in until the S/S.

 

[Straightshooter1]

When using the Hornady OAL guage I rarely get the same measurements two times in a row. Depending on when I take the measurements, they vary quite a bit. I try to clean the barrel before measuring. It’s frustrating.

For me the biggest thing to do is practice, practice until you develop a feel for how much pressure to use where you can do the same (over very very close to the same) pressure each time.

For the most part I can get a pretty consistent reading using that gauge and even if one of the readings I get is off by .001 or 002, it's not an issue for me. It's not an issue for me because I the jump of my bullets are no closer than .010". It might be a different story if I were loading my cartridges to touch or jam. I've found that when I have that kind of jump, it's simply not very important, as evidence by the ever increasing throat erosion that doesn't really affect my results.

My technique it to lightly lock down the sliding plunger with the screw and with the bullet recessed some and push the case firmly in before loosening the lock screw. I hold the case firmly in contact while loosening the screw and lightly tape the plunger until I feel the bullet make contact. The I hold light pressure on the plunger (the tricky part for consistent pressure) while I tighten the lock screw. This method has worked pretty well for me.

I do this process often using exactly the same bullet (so there's no variance there) . . . every time I clean my barrel as I keep track of my throat erosion.

 

[rjs1230]

Throw the plastic rod away replace with a brass rod might have to grind the rod flat like the plastic rod , but it will be repeatable .

 

[DShortt]

I take 10 measurements and average them.

Unless you can measure your seating depths below that average, it really doesn't matter, does it?

 

[Allen Roberts]

Thanks, I’m taking all of this end. I use the light lands touch, then tighten with sensitive fingers. I also do the average method. Maybe I am overthinking this whole process. Thanks again for your help.

 

[NF1E]

Like any tool, it takes a bit of getting used to and then " trusting" you measurements. I use the curved Hornady gauge pretty much daily and find it quite accurate for my purposes. Whatta Hobby!