Hornady OAL Gauge issues.

Braces Airgun Masters
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Helix

Active Member
Hi All,

Been having a mare of late with my OaL gauge for 6.5 cm. I’ve been following the video and using the hornady modified case and the spread of results has been massive and inconsistent. Been using the same batch of A-max 140grn trying not to mix it up same caliper etc ..
I don’t feel like I’m being dull but…

Is it worth looking at getting some fired/form brass drilled and tapped? I’d have to look at
finding someone with a lath etc.

any constructive advice would be greatly received!

Cheers
 
Yes !
Get some fire formed cases in the calibres you need and find someone to machine and thread them to your OAL gauge. This is exactly what I did and it’s then accurate. And then after all that, once you’ve found your favourite bullet and seating depth, you’ll never use it again …..
If you cannot find anyone to drill and tap them, PM me and I might be able to direct you to someone.
 
Thanks bud..
Thought I was going mental luckily it’s only the one cal , will pm as I’m in need of someone who can help.
 
Probably not what you'd consider constructive, but why not abandon the headaches and load to manufacturers O.A.L. in a full length resized case? The best factory Match ammo does it this way . -Muir
 
The way I do it (using my 308 as an example) is load them to mag length as a starting point then bump the seating depth back until they just clear the feed ramp in my rem 700. That then is my starting OAL for me to do my load development and I can shorten from there if I need to tighten my groups up. I dont care where the lands are because to get near them the cartridge is to long to feed from an AICS mag so it would be a pointless cartridge length for me to use.
 
My current process is a bit of a blend of both, I took the SAAMI specs as well as measured the max COAL for the bullet type for the stock magazine. And used those figures to ensure I was within safe tolerance.

My next step with the gauge was to measure as best I can the lands measurements so I know my max CBTO. As I mix bullet types (whatevers available at the time) my understanding the ojive would be my consistent-ish value.
 
Having the same issues, thought it was me! If anyone can recommend someone who could help thread two for me, 223 and 6.5mm CM I'd happily pay for the service, and pop a few quid into a charity of their choice, just to regain my sanity!
 
I load for two different 6.5CM's

Both use the same load, Viht N150 and 139gr Lapua Scenars at a COAL of 2.717" (Viht specs)

The 139gr Scenars are very insensitive to jump distance, both the Tikka TAC-A1 and Bergara BMP consisterntly shoot 5 shot groups around .32" centre to centre.
 
I do wonder if seating out to the lands makes much difference in factory rifles. The most accurate loads I have made up over the years have been way off the lands. I was usually restricted by magazine length or by not having enough bullet left in the case after seating out to the lands .
 
fordy1967 said:
Having the same issues, thought it was me! If anyone can recommend someone who could help thread two for me, 223 and 6.5mm CM I'd happily pay for the service, and pop a few quid into a charity of their choice, just to regain my sanity!
Click to expand...
Pm me. I can sort this for you.
 
Helix said:
Hi All,

Been having a mare of late with my OaL gauge for 6.5 cm. I’ve been following the video and using the hornady modified case and the spread of results has been massive and inconsistent. Been using the same batch of A-max 140grn trying not to mix it up same caliper etc ..
I don’t feel like I’m being dull but…

Is it worth looking at getting some fired/form brass drilled and tapped? I’d have to look at
finding someone with a lath etc.

any constructive advice would be greatly received!

Cheers
Click to expand...
Are you sure it isn't just the bullets? Ogives can shift significantly, even within a box of bullets, if they were made at the end of the toolings life, or the machines were run too fast.

Might want to measure the bullets themselves, before attributing the poor results to just the case itself. Stacking tolerances can cause some significant variances.

IF you find the ogives are inconsistent, then I'd suggest you take Muir's advice above, and just load to factory OAL. A-Max (IIRC) are tangent ogives, so they are more forgiving on bullet jump.
 
I bought one and only used it once. I come to the conclusion that it really is a waste of time as the seating depth gets adjusted anyway
 
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