Measuring OAL ?

[micahb]

What is the proper way to measure oal ?
Do yall use a ogive gauge ?
Or just stick the bullet in a mic and measure the OAL ?

I can seat one bullet to get my die adjusted then the next one will be a different oal without touching the die.
That makes me think the tips are different and just sticking the bullet in a mic isn't correct
you can actually see that some tips are shorter than others.

Rem 700 AAC
178gr AMAX

 

[targaflorio]

Re: Measuring OAL ?

Bullet comparator.. Yes, ogive measurement is more consistent than meplat.

 

[Equitum]

Re: Measuring OAL ?

Check out the stickied "Hand Loading for Long Range 3: finding start OAL". It should answer all of your questions.

Short answer, though: If you just whip out calipers and measure a complete cartridge, that OAL reading will only be right for that individual bullet because the meplat on each bullet is not necessarily the same. However, the ogive length should be consistent, so your COAL should be measured using a comparator style gauge that measures off the ogive.

If you want to actually find the COAL that is correct for your rifle (based on how far out the riflings are from the seating in the chamber), then follow the procedure in the sticky. It's really thorough.

 

[micahb]

Re: Measuring OAL ?

Theres so many different kinds
Which one do y'all recommend ?

 

[Mike Sobr]

Re: Measuring OAL ?

I like the Sinclair inserts since they are stainless instead of aluminum like on the Hornady and seem to get a better feel with them but they cost a little more.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/.aspx/pid=34014/Product/Sinclair-Insert-Style-Bullet-Comparator

 

[micahb]

Re: Measuring OAL ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: in2deep</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I like the Sinclair inserts since they are stainless instead of aluminum like on the Hornady and seem to get a better feel with them but they cost a little more.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/.aspx/pid=34014/Product/Sinclair-Insert-Style-Bullet-Comparator</div></div>

10-4
Thanks

 

[gunsnjeeps]

Re: Measuring OAL ?

Depends on what your loading for. For rapids mag length is more important than where the ogive measurment is. For long range single loads, ogive consistancy may be more important. Even in th esame box of bullets there is some variance in length on bullets.

 

[micahb]

Re: Measuring OAL ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Gunsnjeeps</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Depends on what your loading for. For rapids mag length is more important than where the ogive measurment is. For long range single loads, ogive consistancy may be more important. Even in th esame box of bullets there is some variance in length on bullets.</div></div>

Yeah il have a mag length for hunting
And a whatever length for accuracy that's what il measure the ogive