I ordered one of these because I got tired of other methods of figuring out OAL on some handloads.  Anyone have any experiece with one?  I ordered Amazon same day so I'm getting it but curious if it makes the process of placing the bullet in the lands to figure out how long you'd like to load any easier?

 

Right now I either use candle smoke or a sharpie marker, neither of which is very scientific.  

Wooden dowel is still my preferred method.

 

Are you looking for oal for rifle or handgun?

 

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OAL for a rifle.  How can you use a dowel to see where the bullet hits the lands?

Empty the chamber, close the bolt.

 

Stick a dowel from crown all the way down until it contacts breech. Make a mark with a razor on the dowel around the crown.

 

Pull out dowel.

 

Take a sized case with a bullet loosely seated in the neck and put it down the barrel until the bullet makes contact with the lands.

 

Insert dowel from crown again until it touches the bullet. Make another mark on the dowel.

 

Measure between the 2 marks, that's your max oal.

 

Subtract a few thousandths for stacking tolerances.

 

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Takes 2 minutes and much easier than the Hornady tool.

 

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I do it now with die or a sharpie marker and sized case.  I was hoping this was easier, I'll try it and return if it doesn't help.  

Never used one but the videos make it seem easy to use and accurate. You can also check finished rounds at the ogive with a comparitor.

I got one for my 308's yes its easy. There are other ways but. Yes it works. Ive got more rifles than most i reload for precision and im fine with it.

Ogive comparator is the best way.

I have the ogive comparator for bullet length measurement.

OK you guys....  I have one for every caliber....Take a properly sized case with the neck sized loose (so bullet can slip out w/ pressure)

Drill and tap the primer pocket and insert a screw.  Push the case in the chamber and slowly turn screw until you get "touch".