Stoney Point OAL gage - how do I use this thing??

[TimK]

I've borrowed a Stoney Point OAL gage to use on my new .308. I've taken about 50 measurements now, and am getting some flakey numbers.

I'm using 168g SMK's, and I have some Federal Gold Medal Match ammo using the same bullet.

The Federals measure measure 2.803". The Lyman book says 2.775" with the same bullet.

When I use the gage, I get numbers like 2.<span style="text-decoration: underline">7</span>03" if I push the bullet up till I just feel resistance. If I exceed that amount of force just a bit, the bullet moves much farther into the barrel and I get stupidly long numbers. I can't seem to figure out the "touch" to get results that seem even remotely reasonable.

I'm about to give up and just seat to 2.810 (researched elsewhere on S.H.).

Any advice on how to use this thing?

 

[desertHK]

Re: Stoney Point OAL gage - how do I use this thing??

Is it a Remy 700? Is the barrel stock, or custom? Are you using the Hornady modified case, or did you manufacture your own?

If it is Remy 700 stock barrel, you have miles to go with the OAL. My stock Remy 308 measures up to like 2.98x.

I ususually keep advancing the bullet until there is resistance. Don't jam it in there. Make sure the you tighten the side screw, so that the inner stick doesn't move.

 

[filefish]

Re: Stoney Point OAL gage - how do I use this thing??

see, this is what I love about reloading, it is the only place where 0.100 inches is "miles to go"... but it's true

 

[TimK]

Re: Stoney Point OAL gage - how do I use this thing??

Stock Rem 700 barrel, and I'm using the modified case supplied by Stoney Point. Your dimension is with which bullet?

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: Stoney Point OAL gage - how do I use this thing??

The trick; Don't believe the readings until you see marks on the ogive (use a magic marker).

I suspect you are going to read about 2.925 (min) for the 168 SMK.

 

[TimK]

Re: Stoney Point OAL gage - how do I use this thing??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MitchAlsup</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The trick; Don't believe the readings until you see marks on the ogive (use a magic marker).

I suspect you are going to read about 2.925 (min) for the 168 SMK. </div></div>

I was fooling with this again earlier, and when I pushed up pretty hard, I was indeed getting numbers like 2.950". With a COAL of roughly 2.810" I think this means I can't get anywhere near the lands. Hmpf.

 

[Suasponte]

Re: Stoney Point OAL gage - how do I use this thing??

Here is a trick I use to double check my numbers! Take a old piece of brass that is sized. Then take a diamond cutting wheel on a dremel tool and cut two slots into the neck to allow you to vary the neck tension by finger on the bullets! Make sure to polish off any burrs from cutting the slots! Stick you bullet into case and chamber it! Be careful extracting it and measure. This should be the length with the bullet touching the lands. Do it several times and you should be right on the money.

Terry

 

[desertHK]

Re: Stoney Point OAL gage - how do I use this thing??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tim K</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MitchAlsup</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The trick; Don't believe the readings until you see marks on the ogive (use a magic marker).

I suspect you are going to read about 2.925 (min) for the 168 SMK. </div></div>

I was fooling with this again earlier, and when I pushed up pretty hard, I was indeed getting numbers like 2.950". <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">With a COAL of roughly 2.810" I think this means I can't get anywhere near the lands. Hmpf.</span></span> </div></div>

Like I said before, you still have a long way to go before reaching the lands. Ususally, with Remy stock rifles, you will be limited by the mag OAL unless you plan to load it single shot at a time.

My 300 WM has an OAL much longer than 3.600", but that' s my mag length. so there you go. But my accuracy at 3.600" is good enough so why load it longer?

 

[shoots100]

Re: Stoney Point OAL gage - how do I use this thing??

I found that I had to size the stoney point cartridge case to my specs and them take the measurement to get good results.When you do this,you'll have to dremel the inside of the neck to have the projo slide for measureing,but it's giving me the exact measurement with a case fit to the chamber.
STEVE

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: Stoney Point OAL gage - how do I use this thing??

I have done this several times with my three remington 700's. I recently bought the Hornady OAL guage. I used a 168 SMK for all three and got between 2.9 to 2.73 depending on the rifle. I will have to try Suasponte's methind to see if my numbers are correct.

 

[sinister]

Re: Stoney Point OAL gage - how do I use this thing??

Remington factory barrels (including the 700V and 700P) have ridiculously LONG lawyer-proof chamber throats and leades to accommodate any round the average "Fudd" shooter might choose -- which includes the 200-grain 308 round nose.

This means you'll get at LEAST 2.900 and a jump for any typical accuracy bullet at 2.800 inches cartridge overall length (from 155 Palma/Sierra Match King, typical 168/175 Match Kings, to 185, 190, 210, and 220 Match Kings).

A pointy Very Low Drag bullet with short shank is going to have a REALLY long jump from case mouth to engraving.

It's really a testament to the 700 that they shoot so well despite the jump.