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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Reloading
Hornady Comparator, Headspace and OAL gauges?
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<blockquote data-quote="johnnyk" data-source="post: 1778521" data-attributes="member: 307"><p>Do you have to make a fired case? No, you don't HAVE to. Hornady makes modified cases for most every cartridge out there but they are SAAMI spec'd, meaning they will fit your chamber and your buddy(s) chamber. Modified cases can be made if you're a tinkerer like myself and a lot of reloaders. It takes a fired case from your rifle's chamber and a 9/32" drill bit and a 5/16-36 tap. Easier done on a lathe, I'm sure, but not everyone has access to them. A drill press will work, just try to get the drilled hole as centered as possible. Sometimes the case will try to spin so you have to put something on the vise jaws to hold it yet not crush the case. You may have to try it a couple of times but it does work.</p><p>The OAL gauge works great for finding the lands and grooves with each different type bullet you may try in your barrel. Berger VLDs can be persnickety sometimes and finding the OAL that your rifle likes can take a few tries. There are threads on this forum for finding the optimum seating depth with Bergers. Magazine length is a no brainer for me, just seat it until it fits in my magazine.</p><p>I like the Headspace Gauge because it gives you a tangible measurement off the cases datum line after it's been fired. From this you can adjust your sizing die (not neck die) to bump the shoulder back .0015-.002. Your new brass might not need bumping back until after a couple of firings. Depends on your chamber.</p><p>Here's where the Universal de-priming die comes in. Like another member mentioned, you should knock the primer out, without resizing the case, to get an precise datum line to case head measurement. This die allows you to do this. I got the Lee and modified it to work with Lapua 6mmBR cases (the flash hole is 1.5mm or 059" and the de-capping pin is bigger). Just something to be aware of. Hornady, RCBS, Lyman and Sinclair all make their version of the de-capping die and some come with smaller pins for SR flash holes. I have used the Lee on 7mm/.300RUM cases down to 6mmBR cases.</p><p>All great tools, that I use a lot, for reloaders. Enjoy and ask if you have more questions.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="johnnyk, post: 1778521, member: 307"] Do you have to make a fired case? No, you don't HAVE to. Hornady makes modified cases for most every cartridge out there but they are SAAMI spec'd, meaning they will fit your chamber and your buddy(s) chamber. Modified cases can be made if you're a tinkerer like myself and a lot of reloaders. It takes a fired case from your rifle's chamber and a 9/32" drill bit and a 5/16-36 tap. Easier done on a lathe, I'm sure, but not everyone has access to them. A drill press will work, just try to get the drilled hole as centered as possible. Sometimes the case will try to spin so you have to put something on the vise jaws to hold it yet not crush the case. You may have to try it a couple of times but it does work. The OAL gauge works great for finding the lands and grooves with each different type bullet you may try in your barrel. Berger VLDs can be persnickety sometimes and finding the OAL that your rifle likes can take a few tries. There are threads on this forum for finding the optimum seating depth with Bergers. Magazine length is a no brainer for me, just seat it until it fits in my magazine. I like the Headspace Gauge because it gives you a tangible measurement off the cases datum line after it's been fired. From this you can adjust your sizing die (not neck die) to bump the shoulder back .0015-.002. Your new brass might not need bumping back until after a couple of firings. Depends on your chamber. Here's where the Universal de-priming die comes in. Like another member mentioned, you should knock the primer out, without resizing the case, to get an precise datum line to case head measurement. This die allows you to do this. I got the Lee and modified it to work with Lapua 6mmBR cases (the flash hole is 1.5mm or 059" and the de-capping pin is bigger). Just something to be aware of. Hornady, RCBS, Lyman and Sinclair all make their version of the de-capping die and some come with smaller pins for SR flash holes. I have used the Lee on 7mm/.300RUM cases down to 6mmBR cases. All great tools, that I use a lot, for reloaders. Enjoy and ask if you have more questions. [/QUOTE]
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Hornady Comparator, Headspace and OAL gauges?
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