Stony Point OAL Gauge
- Thread starter bhibbs
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johnnyk
Well-Known Member
bhibbs,
Welcome to LRH. Not sure there is one but it is very simple to set up and use. In addition to the OAL gauge, you will need a modified case for your chamber, a bullet comparator/w insert (caliber specific) and a 6" dial caliper.
Screw the modified case on the OAL gauge and back the push rod down enough so the bullet you intend to load for is inside the case. Tighten the set screw. Attach the bullet comparator/w insert to one of the jaws of the caliper. Tighten this set screw.
If you are loading for a bolt rifle, remove the bolt and insert the OAL gauge with the modified case, with the bullet inside the case, into the chamber of the rifle. Loosen the set screw and push on the push rod until the bullet comes to rest against the lands and grooves (LaG) inside the barrel. Tighten the set screw.
Remove the OAL guage and the bullet. Sometimes the bullet gets lightly jammed into the LaG and has to be pushed out with a cleaning rod from the muzzle end. Place the bullet in the modified case where it should come to rest on the push rod and this will be your rifles OAL for this bullet.
Note: You can adjust this length in and out depending on bullet style and magazine length. VLD bullets sometimes like to be "jammed" into the LaG and sometimes the magazine is much shorter than your rifles OAL, forcing you to shorten your bullets OAL considerably. With long for caliber bullets this can limit the performance of your loads due to the bullet taking up too much room in thge case, limiting powder capacity.
Now turn on your caliper (if digital) and insert the modified case/w bullet into the bullet comparator and measure your OAL. I write this measurement down and down 2-4 more to be sure. I then subtract .010" from the OAL and this is my seating depth.
When I start the seating operation I run my seating stem of the seating die out a little far and slowly screw it in, taking measurements each time so as to not go past my desired OAL.
Give it a try and let us know what you get. This method has worked for me for years. JohnnyK.
Welcome to LRH. Not sure there is one but it is very simple to set up and use. In addition to the OAL gauge, you will need a modified case for your chamber, a bullet comparator/w insert (caliber specific) and a 6" dial caliper.
Screw the modified case on the OAL gauge and back the push rod down enough so the bullet you intend to load for is inside the case. Tighten the set screw. Attach the bullet comparator/w insert to one of the jaws of the caliper. Tighten this set screw.
If you are loading for a bolt rifle, remove the bolt and insert the OAL gauge with the modified case, with the bullet inside the case, into the chamber of the rifle. Loosen the set screw and push on the push rod until the bullet comes to rest against the lands and grooves (LaG) inside the barrel. Tighten the set screw.
Remove the OAL guage and the bullet. Sometimes the bullet gets lightly jammed into the LaG and has to be pushed out with a cleaning rod from the muzzle end. Place the bullet in the modified case where it should come to rest on the push rod and this will be your rifles OAL for this bullet.
Note: You can adjust this length in and out depending on bullet style and magazine length. VLD bullets sometimes like to be "jammed" into the LaG and sometimes the magazine is much shorter than your rifles OAL, forcing you to shorten your bullets OAL considerably. With long for caliber bullets this can limit the performance of your loads due to the bullet taking up too much room in thge case, limiting powder capacity.
Now turn on your caliper (if digital) and insert the modified case/w bullet into the bullet comparator and measure your OAL. I write this measurement down and down 2-4 more to be sure. I then subtract .010" from the OAL and this is my seating depth.
When I start the seating operation I run my seating stem of the seating die out a little far and slowly screw it in, taking measurements each time so as to not go past my desired OAL.
Give it a try and let us know what you get. This method has worked for me for years. JohnnyK.
Moman
Well-Known Member
joe4570
Member
This one may contain a little more detail in illustration and description. It's a really handy piece of equipment to have around.
Real Guns - Gauges
