Question about the Hornady Overall (OAL) Gauge

[hoardingthemanual]

I have started using the Hornady Overall Gauge for reloading rile rounds. It's a new tool to me, and I have a question about its use:

Setup: When I apply pressure to the rod and push the bullet into the rifling, sometimes the location of the case mouth doesn't align with the cannelure on the bullet.

Question: In that example, where should you seat the bullet? Is it the cannelure or measurement that's wrong?

Extra: I am also using the Hornady Bullet Comparators in conjunction with the OAL Gauge.

Thanks for reading I appreciate your time.

 

[Jonny2guns]

Someone will be along soon with a more detailed answer, but that is a very good question. OAL for one bullet type doesn't always work between manufacturers. I usually set mine to the cannelure, but I'm also not near max powder/pressure load.

 

[MEHavey]

The gauge tells you where the bullet ogive physically engages to jam into the rifling.
That is a reference point, not necessarily where you are to set the final cartridge length.

Most people will set the cartridge length to be (at least 5) to 10/20 thousandths off of that,
depending on best grouping as they play with load combinations.

Most bottleneck/bolt action rifles do not need -- or even want -- crimping.
Ignore the cannelure.

Ditto gas guns as long as neck tension is within reasonable spec.

-- BUT -- if crimp desired :
If final Cartridge length is decided to be where mid-cannelure/case mouth are aligned, great. Crimp there.
If different, just crimp in separate step -- wherever.

.

 

[Remington1911]

I agree with @MEHavey what that gage is telling you is when that specific bullet hits the rifling. I hate the word never, but you never use that as your starting point, but I know people do. I typically back off a few thou and then start playing. Only change one thing at a time or your going to get lost. And if one bullet/powder combo liked being X thou off means nothing when you start mixing stuff up, the next powder may act different, or bullet for that matter.

You are getting into the real fun of it (at least to me) in doing this. Oh and it should go without saying that just because this rifle likes that distance does not mean that rifle will. You need to work up loads for each rifle if you have more then one in a given caliber. I generally put the last 3 of the SN# on the plastic boxes that hold the loads.

Also remember that the distance you find in these tests might be too long to fit into the mag of the rifle you are using, generally a thing with external mag rifles, never had a issue with a rifle with an "internal" mag.

 

[jmorris]

If you are going to apply a crimp, use the cannelure.

If you want to be able to chamber and eject your round without firing, don’t run your bullet into the rifling.

Your “too the rifling” length might be too long to fit into a magazine, making your rifle a single shot.

Into, touching, some distance off the lands are all efforts to find better accuracy. You must also adjust load data because normal load data will have the bullet back of the rifling so it has a running start as it exits the case before contact with the rifling. You know exactly how much using your tool, it’s how far off the cannelure the top of the case is when you shove the bullet forward to meet the rifling. Seating a bullet to this longer length will create higher pressures and you need to adjust your powder charge accordingly.

If you are just trying to make ammunition that runs in everything so chambered, a case gauge would be a better tool.

 

[MEHavey]

I would offer for consideration that -- w/ the exception of plated -- you can crimp wherever
needed.... as long as done in separate step after seating.

Lead/cast doesn't care, it will crimp right into the material.
True jacketed doesn't care all that much either, as long as crimp isn't ridiculously excessive.

 

[txtaxman]

I have started using the Hornady Overall Gauge for reloading rile rounds. It's a new tool to me, and I have a question about its use:

Setup: When I apply pressure to the rod and push the bullet into the rifling, sometimes the location of the case mouth doesn't align with the cannelure on the bullet.

Question: In that example, where should you seat the bullet? Is it the cannelure or measurement that's wrong?

Extra: I am also using the Hornady Bullet Comparators in conjunction with the OAL Gauge.

Thanks for reading I appreciate your time.

You did not tell us about your application, e.g., rifle, bullet. etc., so a bit more information might help get more thorough replies.

Seating the bullet to the cannelure is the ez button, but changing the seating may or may not shrink your groups. Your target will tell you the answer.

I found that in some cases it is not even possible to seat bullets into the rifling, because of short bullets and long throats. As has already been mentioned, magazine length is one consideration. Additionally, many people recommend seating the bullet at least one caliber into the neck of the case.

As always, start low and work up with the powder charges, and only change one variable at a time.