Using a Hornady OAL gauge

[broham]

I just purchased this to check distance to the lands. I used to do this the old fashion way but thought I'd give this tool a try. I bought the curved one so I could do auto's as well as my bolts. I must say it works real good except when I go to measure the case. You can't get the cartridge to line up straight between the calipers and the ogive bushing. The OAL gauge has a notch in it where the calipers fit in but it doesn't line up with the bushing at the other end.

 

[Rancho Relaxo]

I wiggle it a little then take four measurements and take the average. Seems to work well for me.

 

[BrokenWheel]

I wondered about this too. Seems to me the design needs to fixed so you could get an accurate measurement.

 

[JimKirk]

I like the Sinclair Hex nut type better.... nothing to align but the top of the nut and the base of the case. It does not tie up my calipers either so I can measure other stuff with out the assembly/disassembly process. There are two of the "nuts" to cover just about all the calibers up to .338.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/.aspx/sid=66673/sku/Sinclair_Bullet_Comparator__1

http://www.sinclairintl.com/.aspx/sid=66664/sku/Sinclair_Bullet_Comparator__2

Jimmy K

 

[USSR]

I like the Sinclair Hex nut type better.... nothing to align but the top of the nut and the base of the case.

+1.

Don

 

[higgite]

Remove the bushing assembly from the caliper, turn it around and put it back on the caliper blade. It is made with an offset to work with the OAL gauge.

 

[broham]

I could have sworn I tried that but still it would not line up straight, I'll try again tonight and see. Maybe I'll have to shim the comperator body.

 

[BrokenWheel]

Higgite-

Unless I totally overlooking something (could be), I have turned the bushing around, put the attachment screw in from the other side, upside-down, etc but the hole for the bullet never lines up for me....

 

[higgite]

As you know, there's a fat side and a skinny side on on the bottom of the base (bushing holder) where the slot is cut. To make it line up with the OAL gauge, put the thumb screw in the fat side. Then when you tighten the thumb screw, it pushes the base/bushing assembly off center of the caliper blade. At least that's how mine works.

 

[fguffey]

Not sure about the old fashion way but I use a drill, 3/8 drill bit and cleaning rod when I want to know the ojive contact. I can I PICK A NUMBER, similar to DATUMS, the throat is tapered, the number on the taper is + or - .004 and between .300 and 308 for a 30/06 (308 bore)., of course I need to know what I am loading, 30/06 .270, 25 cal etc.. after determining the length of the case from the head of the case to the ojive all I need is a press, die and shell holder and a dial caliper. I make transfers and standards that eliminates the Hornady type tool, unless someone has developed a way to seat bullets with the Hornady type tool. Any thing the Hornady tool can do I can do with a seater die, the seater die is adjustable, it has threads.

F. Guffey