Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Need to measure OAL

Just getting in to reloading and all me equipment came today. The only thing I am missing is a way to measure the OAL in my CZ 6.5x55. I want to purchase the Hornady� Lock-N-Load� OAL Gauge which I can find but the Hornady� Lock-N-Load O.A.L. Gauge Modified Case I need for the caliber is back-ordered for months everywhere I have looked.

Any suggestions on how I can measure it or does anyone have gauge case for sale, or rent?

http://surplusrifle.com/shooting/oal/pdf/measuringoveralllength.pdf


This is what I do

Hey bud, you any good with tools? If so make one. Drill out the base of a once fired case you've got. Tap the thing to the right threads to fit device. Do not resize. Wolla, you've got a stoney point/hornady case guage fit to your rifle.

Takes a 5/16 x 36 tap and a letter K drill bit

Good luck finding one, usually have to be ordered

Thanks guys.

We had to go to an industrial tool supplier and order this tap. Darned smart of the company to not use a standard NC or NF tap.

Be sure to use a once fired unsized case. Or use a mandrel to open up neck so bullet can slide in and out easily.

Caliper?

He's actually wanting to measure distance to lands rather than OAL, which is good, since none of the published sources for OAL used his rifle to establish their number.

I just take a once fired case and cut slots in the neck to make a slip case. Put bullet in,extra long, and chamber. Carefully remove case and measure. I do this more than once to be sure. You can squeeze together or open up to adjust tension. Too much tension will make the bullet stick in the lands and too little will let the bullet move on removal, but it is easy to get this to work. miles

Tap is about 10 bucks on fleabay http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=5+16+36+tap&_frs=1

a 9/32 drill bit is what you need.

I ordered the tap and have ordered the Hornady OAL Guage and the Hornady Comparator. They are in stock, it is only the special cases you cannot get. I am starting out just loading 6.5x55 and .223 for AR's and I will load the AR's to the COL spec's in the reloading manuals. After I feel comfortable I will reload for the rest of my calibers - 30-06, .270, 30-30 and .243. I will load the 30-30 to COL spec but on the others I will be able to make my own case. And since we have two 30-06's and two .243's I will make a case for each one. Thanks for all of your help.

That's all I do too. However I also soot the bullet as well. That tells me if the lands grabbed the bullet and pulled it from the case just a hair (which they tend to do sometimes). You'll see that plain as day. Pretty easy to make your own oal gauge. The other methods are a waste of money and time..

I have done that also and used magic marker too. Not at the same time. Now I just run it through two or three times. If the multiple measures are the same, I call it good. Helps me keep from misreading or find other mistakes. miles