Setting up (calibrating) reloading dies.

[waldo1979]

How do you measure from the Ogive?

I will definitely be logging everything.

You need a bullet comparator to measure from an ogive:
http://amzn.com/B000PD5VLA

You may also need a headspace comparator for adjusting your sizing die's headspace:
http://amzn.com/B000PD5VN8

 

[Shynloco]

You need a bullet comparator to measure from an ogive:
http://amzn.com/B000PD5VLA

You may also need a headspace comparator for adjusting your sizing die's headspace:
http://amzn.com/B000PD5VN8

Like the man says, you'll need a Hornady Comparator Body (sells for $12-$16 depending on vendor) that attaches to the jaws of your caliper. You also need to buy the appropriate sized Hornady INSERT (ea insert cost right at $4.25) that correlates to the caliber of bullet you are measuring. Those inserts lock into the Comparator body. The nose of the bullet fits into the end of the INSERT and then you close the jaws of the caliper against the base of the case and the bullet nose at the other end. That gives you the OJIVE measurement of your completed round. You can also measure just the bullet OJIVE for consistency of bullets within a groups. And even when you take a new box of bullets, stand by for some variance in OJIVE and you'll need to separate the bullets into groups according to their OJIVE measurement for maximum consistency. What causes the variances is that manufacturers often run bullets on various machines and then MIX the bullets together when packaging. So don't think you have a bad batch or a crappy manufacturer because every manufacturer uses the same technique, unless you get REALLY lucky and all the bullets in say 100 in box, were run on the same machine.

And if you REALLY want to get technically crazy, a Master Gunsmith named Bob Green (listed on this website under "TOP GUNSMITHS" in York, PA) makes a "custom" bullet comparator that the serious shooters buy and use. If I were competing, I'd call Bob in a heartbeat for one of his comparators. Bob also builds some beautiful custom rifles as well as doing custom work on perfecting dies, etc, used for reloading. Bob is a super nice guy and you can call him to find out the cost of his comparator and other neat things he makes. His telephone number is (717) 792-1069 and/or email him at Bob@GreensRifles.com .

Hope that explains it in detail.

Alex

 

[BLCKWLF]

Thanks guys!

 

[Witchhunter]

One thing that I always do when setting up new dies is run the ram up to set the expander ball in the neck before tightening the decapper rod. This centers the rod in the die. If you are using a bushing die, it won't matter as there is not expander ball. I like the Redding micrometer seaters, as you can repeat settings easy when working up loads. If you are using a bushing sizer, you can get it set just right if your necks are concentric and your trim lengths are uniform.