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Posted: 11/20/2011 9:14:46 AM EDT
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Is there any benifet to making your own fire formed (and neck sized) case to use with the Hornady OAL case gauge? Or is it just as good to use the Hornady case? I'm starting with two new spendy bullets in a gun and am going to pick the gauge up VS searching for the lands.
Guns a Win M70 7mm RM and 180 VDLs out to 600 yards. Looking for some accuracy a little farther out there. I searched and looked through the tacked links. Thanks for any help. 
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If you can drill out and tap the case for threading, then make your own. If you don't have the tools just use their modified case.
To get really precise you'd need to take into account deltas between the Hornady's HS measurment and the HS measurement on one your fired cases. In other words, adjust the seating depth measurement by the delta inbetween HS measurements. |
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I have the bits, taps, and drill press to make my own. With having a construction co, you end up with a machine shop on the side just to keep everything running. I'm going go the way of arfcom and get both.
I'll see if there is any differences between the results. I'm bumping the neck on all of the brass for this gun and wasn't sure if the supplied brass gauge case was much different than my chamber. As it is, there is .019 between my fire formed and neck bumped brass, and most factory ammo. Thanks for the info.
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I made my own. I ordered the tap and while I waited I loaded some rounds using the suggested OAL and fireformed the brass. If there's a trick to making your own case, it's ensuring the tapped hole is "straight" (concentric with and parallel to the centerline of the case which is easier typed than done). I have a Wilson case trimmer, so I placed the case in the case holder and used the case holder as a jig. I used my drill press to drill the pilot hole (with motor power) and also as a tap holder (no motor power) when threading the hole. Just rotate the quill by hand and apply some downward pressure using the handle.
The good news was, once I tapped the case, it definitely has the proper headspace. That way there's no futzing around with adjustments. Just measure and go. I remember measuring the headspace on several different cartridges and seem to recall the Stoney Point cases measured right at SAAMI nominal spec. I don't have any new production Hornady cases, so I can't vouch for those. I hope this helps in some way. |
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Quoted:
I made my own. I ordered the tap and while I waited I loaded some rounds using the suggested OAL and fireformed the brass. If there's a trick to making your own case, it's ensuring the tapped hole is "straight" (concentric with and parallel to the centerline of the case which is easier typed than done). I have a Wilson case trimmer, so I placed the case in the case holder and used the case holder as a jig. I used my drill press to drill the pilot hole (with motor power) and also as a tap holder (no motor power) when threading the hole. Just rotate the quill by hand and apply some downward pressure using the handle. The good news was, once I tapped the case, it definitely has the proper headspace. That way there's no futzing around with adjustments. Just measure and go. I remember measuring the headspace on several different cartridges and seem to recall the Stoney Point cases measured right at SAAMI nominal spec. I don't have any new production Hornady cases, so I can't vouch for those. I hope this helps in some way. Yes it did help. Thanks. I was thinking what you stated. By making your own brass gauge, you don't have to add length to your "gauged brass" set up. The difference between my fire formed (and neck bumped back .004") brass and factory ammo, is .019" of headspacing. Pending the length of the Hornady brass gauge, I'd have to add length to it to get the desired distance from the lands. I have fire formed brass on hand. That is what is ready to load. Time to sharpie on the bullet test for lands. 
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Quoted:
Well I picked up the Hornady OAL gauge and wouldn't you know they didn't have a 7mm RM case and I don't have the right tap. 
So this pound of H1000, Fed 215M, 180 grain VLD, and Win fully prepped brass will sit here on the bench top till I figure this out.  You can order one from Midway. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/482631/hornady-lock-n-load-overall-length-gage-modified-case-7mm-remington-magnum |
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