Your own cases tapped fo the Hornady O.A.L Gauge

[Alpha1]

The guy at work who was looking at Knocking out the bits to drill and tap some cases for me came back from his Hols after a couple hours catching up he went to work.
I now have a fire formed drilled and tapped case for each gun that I own that will fit my stoney point O.A.L gauge.
He has stored the bits so any time in the future I want a case moddng I can just drop it off for him.
I call that a result. :goodjob:

[Dougan]

I'm getting a new .308 TR rifle, and intend to start reloading for it - so got one of Ovenpaas O.A.L Gauges, with drilled cases and bits for the comparitor. I've been wanting to try it, but my variation for the TR is going to be a little while yet - so as I'm getting ready for the Trafalgar, I thought I'd try it on the SMLE. I knew it wasn't necessary (due to the expected long jump)...but was curious.

I was well impressed with the Gauge - It's very sturdy, but you can still feel the slightest touch on the lands.

I had cases that had been used in the rifle drilled and tapped, so that the measurements would be correct for reloads - but also found that by using cases fired in the rifle, made the whole thing fit perfectly in the chamber...I would imagine that using factory cases would give a loose fit, and make the measurement taking a bit trickier...

Great kit Ovenpaa :goodjob: I can't believe you made it in your shed

[Dougan]

So the results: Well I was expecting a jump that would be too big to bother altering the seating for...but not this :G :lol:

I got the .311 insert for the comparitor from Ovenpaa aswell (can't get these from the usual suppliers ) - works a treat - I'll get more use of it tomorrow when I'm seating....

I have to stick to a pretty standard OAL for the loads I'm doing, as most of them are being fed from the magazine - but it might be worth considering 'medieval methods' for single fed precision rounds...Is there anyone on the forum who knows about boolits for SMLEs... :P

[Mike357]

Holy crap, now that's jump.

[Alpha1]

You are wasting your time using a COL gauge on milsurp rifles.

[Dougan]

You are wasting your time using a COL gauge on milsurp rifles.

Well I thought that before I did it - As I said, I got the kit so that I can get my reloading right on my new TR (which I'm currently waiting on the variation) - But I wanted to try the kit, having never used an OAL guage before - It was a useful excercise, for me,...and it showed me that the jump on my SMLE is a lot more than I thought it would be...

Playing with the kit was also good for my overall reloading learning curve - Using the .311 insert in the comparitor has helped with measuring the seating, as the 'cheap' bullets I'm using have more variation when measured from the point. With the basic dies, and bullets I'm using, the consisency of seating on my .303s is OK but not spot on - As I'm planning to load my .308s as close to the 'ideal 20 thou' jump as possible...I have learned that I will need better (SMKs) bullets, and will also have to invest in a quality seating die....

Recently I have had little time, so have been just knocking up rounds quickly when I need them - So as I've finally got a full free weekend, it's been good to have a 'tinker' in the mancave...and I'm enjoying it...so time not wasted :)

[20series]

I called into Christel and Ovenpaa's on my way down to Bisley today. Dave has done a couple of cases for me and they look the part. i'll try them when i get chance in the week.

Alan