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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Reloading
Hornady OAL Gauge is Driving me Crazy(er)!
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<blockquote data-quote="Muddyboots" data-source="post: 2032799" data-attributes="member: 63925"><p>I have been using the Stoney Point Gauge since it came out many moons ago. I use to have some differences until I developed a procedure that I follow every time no different than each loading step is recorded to insure consistency.</p><p>1 - Its been said but this is most important requirement for consistent ogive to land measurement IMO. The throat HAS to be absolutely crystal clean so spend some time to clean down to steel. Before I did that, measurements were not consistent at all. Now they are and usually within 0.001 of each one. Throat is dirty , don't bother measuring anything.</p><p>2 - Use a fired case from the rifle being measured to insure the specific fired brass headspace is perfect alignment for that rifle. I purchased a tap so I do my own. I also clean the brass so there is no residue in neck and insures the brass is headspacing tightly to chamber. Plus it looks pretty.<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite9" alt=":eek:" title="Eek! :eek:" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":eek:" /></p><p>3 - I went back to using dial calipers just for measuring the Ogive land measurement since I believe it gives me more consistent measurement.</p><p>4 - Set the base on the caliper blade in same exact point every time and securely lock in place. Make sure the right comparator is used and is clean. Also make sure it is tight to base and securely locked into place with set screw.</p><p>5 - When I press the rod forward to push the bullet into the lands, I do it with enough pressure that the bullet stays in lands until I push it out with rod from muzzle. I also mark the bullet with a sharpie to give me a visual reference of marks on the bullet. After a while, you do develop a sense by observation if the bullet marks look consistent to what you are trying to do.</p><p></p><p>The real problem with finding the lands is that the measurement that you are taking is a snapshot in time. You have to realize this measurement moves as the throat deteriorates which depending upon cartridge and loads can be faster that you think. Hot loads and it can be 100 rounds and it has moved a lot. I remeasure every 100 rounds for that reason.</p><p></p><p>The next problem is when dealing with cup core bullets is the ES on them for the ogive to lands measurement within the same box and lot number can be frustrating as well.</p><p></p><p>Mono style bullets seem to be much better in their consistency. I recently started to use Hammer Bullets more and their consistency is a real eye opener. </p><p></p><p>The last comment I will make is we sometimes go crazy over measurements when in reality some rifles will shoot at SAAMI COAL just fine so the ogive to land measurement is irrelevant. Nosler ABLR taught me that one when my best accuracy was just about at SAAMI so the jump was actually a leap! Hammer bullets was another example for me where they don't care how far they are off lands for most part. My Sendero 300WM shoots 1/2 MOA with the 196 HH that is 0.095 off so it can feed properly. Sierra Gamechangers are another that shoot much better closer to SAAMI than getting close to lands. I still measure every bullet just so I know what the jump or leap will be for that specific bullet at that specific time I measured them.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Muddyboots, post: 2032799, member: 63925"] I have been using the Stoney Point Gauge since it came out many moons ago. I use to have some differences until I developed a procedure that I follow every time no different than each loading step is recorded to insure consistency. 1 - Its been said but this is most important requirement for consistent ogive to land measurement IMO. The throat HAS to be absolutely crystal clean so spend some time to clean down to steel. Before I did that, measurements were not consistent at all. Now they are and usually within 0.001 of each one. Throat is dirty , don't bother measuring anything. 2 - Use a fired case from the rifle being measured to insure the specific fired brass headspace is perfect alignment for that rifle. I purchased a tap so I do my own. I also clean the brass so there is no residue in neck and insures the brass is headspacing tightly to chamber. Plus it looks pretty.:eek: 3 - I went back to using dial calipers just for measuring the Ogive land measurement since I believe it gives me more consistent measurement. 4 - Set the base on the caliper blade in same exact point every time and securely lock in place. Make sure the right comparator is used and is clean. Also make sure it is tight to base and securely locked into place with set screw. 5 - When I press the rod forward to push the bullet into the lands, I do it with enough pressure that the bullet stays in lands until I push it out with rod from muzzle. I also mark the bullet with a sharpie to give me a visual reference of marks on the bullet. After a while, you do develop a sense by observation if the bullet marks look consistent to what you are trying to do. The real problem with finding the lands is that the measurement that you are taking is a snapshot in time. You have to realize this measurement moves as the throat deteriorates which depending upon cartridge and loads can be faster that you think. Hot loads and it can be 100 rounds and it has moved a lot. I remeasure every 100 rounds for that reason. The next problem is when dealing with cup core bullets is the ES on them for the ogive to lands measurement within the same box and lot number can be frustrating as well. Mono style bullets seem to be much better in their consistency. I recently started to use Hammer Bullets more and their consistency is a real eye opener. The last comment I will make is we sometimes go crazy over measurements when in reality some rifles will shoot at SAAMI COAL just fine so the ogive to land measurement is irrelevant. Nosler ABLR taught me that one when my best accuracy was just about at SAAMI so the jump was actually a leap! Hammer bullets was another example for me where they don't care how far they are off lands for most part. My Sendero 300WM shoots 1/2 MOA with the 196 HH that is 0.095 off so it can feed properly. Sierra Gamechangers are another that shoot much better closer to SAAMI than getting close to lands. I still measure every bullet just so I know what the jump or leap will be for that specific bullet at that specific time I measured them. [/QUOTE]
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Hornady OAL Gauge is Driving me Crazy(er)!
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