COAL problems

[live2huntmt]

I recently purchases a Hornady OAL Gauge and the appropriate modified cases to determine my COAL to touch the lands. I have previously used the old "use the rifle to seat a bullet" method. The problem I am having is this: using my new OAL gauge, my COAL's are coming in much shorter (.120") than my old method. Could I possibly be feeling the lead while I am using the Hornady OAL Gauge? I use a cleaning rod through the muzzle to push the bullet back and forth a few times, and consistantly hit a "wall" on the forward stroke. The rifles are clean with a fresh patch of hoppes weatherguard oil ran through them.

Am I not pushing hard enough with my Hornady OAL Gauge?

 

[live2huntmt]

Could I possibly be seating the bullet .120" into the lands by using the rifle?

 

[IDelkhunter]

I had similar problems using the Hornady the first few times. However, I wasn't seeing that large of a swing (mine was .020-.030"). I even went back and forth between the "old" way you describe to verify results. I also wasn't getting the same reading every time...again a .015-.020" spread. The technique that finally worked for me was to ensure the bullet was fully seated in the cleaning rod and deep inside the case....then VERY carefully move the bullet forwArd while ensuring the rod stays centered in the bore. I also had to a loose set screw on the case holder end that was causing variation.

Hope that helps, but would love to hear what others recommend.

Marcus

 

[RTK]

I recently purchases a Hornady OAL Gauge and the appropriate modified cases to determine my COAL to touch the lands. I have previously used the old "use the rifle to seat a bullet" method. The problem I am having is this: using my new OAL gauge, my COAL's are coming in much shorter (.120") than my old method. Could I possibly be feeling the lead while I am using the Hornady OAL Gauge? I use a cleaning rod through the muzzle to push the bullet back and forth a few times, and consistantly hit a "wall" on the forward stroke. The rifles are clean with a fresh patch of hoppes weatherguard oil ran through them.

Am I not pushing hard enough with my Hornady OAL Gauge?

It does and will happen and. The reason is that the cartridge they supply (saami spec) may be longer or shorter than yours from the shoulder to back of the base.
Since I only bump back minimum during reloading my measurements rarely match.
Best to take a once or twice fired brass from your gun and drill and tap the head.

 

[live2huntmt]

It does and will happen and. The reason is that the cartridge they supply (saami spec) may be longer or shorter than yours from the shoulder to back of the base.
Since I only bump back minimum during reloading my measurements rarely match.
Best to take a once or twice fired brass from your gun and drill and tap the head.

Thanks - I was wondering if this was possibly an issue so I ordered the proper tap yesterday to make my own modified cases. I will let you know if I get different measurement between the supplied Hornady case and my own fire formed case.

 

[okie man]

just drill and tap the primer pocket on a fired case. cut a piece of all tread and screw it into case . push the case with a bullet in it into chamber and screw rod in until bullet touches lands. jam nut the rod and measure oal. I have one for every caliber I have. it's much cheaper than the hornady tool and a case for each caliber.

 

[live2huntmt]

just drill and tap the primer pocket on a fired case. cut a piece of all tread and screw it into case . push the case with a bullet in it into chamber and screw rod in until bullet touches lands. jam nut the rod and measure oal. I have one for every caliber I have. it's much cheaper than the hornady tool and a case for each caliber.

Since I already have the hornady tool, I just ordered the proper $7 tap and will use that to make my own modified cases....now I can have rifle specific modified cases for those calibers I own multiple rifles in!

 

[okierifleman]

Anyone know off the top of their head the thread size on the Hornady tool?

 

[live2huntmt]

Anyone know off the top of their head the thread size on the Hornady tool?

5/16-36tpi tap .... use a 19/64 drill bit ....$8 to your door off ebay