Determining proper OAL for SMK 80

[NativeCraft]

Without purchasing yet another tool to measure length-to-ogive, how can I get the correct OAL for a SMK 80? AR15. I find that the length to the tips of the bullets varies by several thousandths, so when I think I've got things measured out correctly (by placing a bullet in an empty cartridge and chambering it with the bolt, sans extractor and ejector), successive loadings are all different.
There's got to be an idiot-proof way of loading an SMK 80 properly without investing in even more tools.

 

[mark4567]

Re: Determining proper OAL for SMK 80

I'm not sure if this is what your lookin for. Putting a bullet in a fired case has no means to keep it in place. Take a case and split the neck in half down to the shoulder with a dremel and a fine cut off wheel. crimp the neck with your fingers so it holds the bullet tight enough not to move. chamber and eject this GENTLY. I do this with all the different bullets I shoot,making a case for each. Try loading and unloading these a few times till your sure the bullet didn't move. Then super glue the bullet in the case and you have a OAL gauge for each bullet type.

 

[NativeCraft]

Re: Determining proper OAL for SMK 80

Yes, that's the way I've been doing it.

 

[vman]

Re: Determining proper OAL for SMK 80

Is the length of the round from the base of the brass to the ogive of the projectile the same with each round?

If so then you have projectiles that are different lengths.

Have i totally missed the question here?

 

[DocB]

Re: Determining proper OAL for SMK 80

NC,

The 80gr. SMKs are known for having 0.020" ogive and bullet length variance. Sort and seat the bullets by ogive length, don't worry about COL. They can be loaded as short as 2.465, while the nominal is 2.555. You'll have to reduce the charge appropriately for the shorter length.

HTH,
DocB