Hornady OAL Gauge

[Gary in Illinois]

Can anyone tell me what thread is used on the Hornady OAL gauge? I am guessing it is 5/16" x 40 TPI but I am not from certain.

I would like to modify several wildcat cartridges and would rather not pay Hornady $15.00 each. I would prefer to order a tap and do it myself if possible.

Thanks for your help.

Decided (after posting) to call Hornady. If anyone else needs this information, the tap size is 5/16" x 36 TPI.

[Danny]

Originally Posted by Gary in Illinois

Can anyone tell me what thread is used on the Hornady OAL gauge? I am guessing it is 5/16" x 40 TPI but I am not from certain.

I would like to modify several wildcat cartridges and would rather not pay Hornady $15.00 each. I would prefer to order a tap and do it myself if possible.

Thanks for your help.

Decided (after posting) to call Hornady. If anyone else needs this information, the tap size is 5/16" x 36 TPI.

I started searching for this before you called Hornady, but in any case, maybe there might be some other helpful info. found in this article.

You have to expand the necks, which I do not have equipment for, so I elected to not buy the tap for it and just continue to buy the cases.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/...y-o-a-l-gauge/

Danny

[Gary in Illinois]

Danny,
Thanks for the link. It is just what I needed. Now maybe even I can do this!

[moorepower]

What case are you looking for?

[Gary in Illinois]

Originally Posted by moorepower

What case are you looking for?

The cases I am looking to buy or make are:
17 Ackley Hornet (may not be able to make this one due to the small case head?)
17 Fireball
17 Javelina
17 SmC
17 Tactical
17 PPC
20 VarTarg
20 Extreme
20 PPC
20 Titan
222 Remington
223 Remington (Hornady lists this one)
6mm PPC
6 x 47 Lapua
250 Savage (I think Hornady lists this one)
300 Savage

At $15 each for Hornady to modify the cases, I think I will just buy the tap.

[Rick in Oregon]

I purchased the tap and now do all my own modified cases, especially wildcats that no standard modified case is available for.

The tap size is a real oddball: 5/16"-36TPI

You won't find this critter at Ace hardware, but rather a specialty machine and tooling supply house.

[Danny]

Originally Posted by Gary in Illinois

The cases I am looking to buy or make are:
17 Ackley Hornet (may not be able to make this one due to the small case head?)
17 Fireball
17 Javelina
17 SmC
17 Tactical
17 PPC
20 VarTarg
20 Extreme
20 PPC
20 Titan
222 Remington
223 Remington (Hornady lists this one)
6mm PPC
6 x 47 Lapua
250 Savage (I think Hornady lists this one)
300 Savage

At $15 each for Hornady to modify the cases, I think I will just buy the tap.

Gary,
I just got a 22 Hornet case. That is an odd situation in their system. The Hornet cases require an "adapter" which is a small length of brass with the female thread of the "normal" case threading. The adapter also has the slot for the caliper to get behind the base of the case that the tool already has, and a piece of brass which acts as an extension to go through the middle of the adapter and case to engage the bullet base due to the added length. I don't know why they just didn't go with the smaller Hornet threading to start with and use them on all cases. Oh, and, unmodified, the Hornet adapter only works on the straight tool, which may or may not be an issue. The curved tool is slightly different in that it has some unthreaded material ahead of the male threads that the straight tool does not have, and the adapter will not screw on with that extra material. Kind of awkward to describe. Hopefully it is clear. If not, pm me with an email and I will send you a picture.

Danny

http://picpaste.com/20170408_111922-U38wgNpR.jpg

[Danny]

Originally Posted by Rick in Oregon

I purchased the tap and now do all my own modified cases, especially wildcats that no standard modified case is available for.

The tap size is a real oddball: 5/16"-36TPI

You won't find this critter at Ace hardware, but rather a specialty machine and tooling supply house.

Rick
Did you already have a way to expand the neck to allow the bullets to slide in your manufactured cases, or did you come up with a work around? As I do not neck turn (yet) and do not have a way to expand cases, I elected to not buy the tap and just buy theirs and be done with it. Right now, I probably only have to buy 22-250, .30-06 and maybe .243, if I shoot the rifle I have in that cartridge and do not rebarrel. I think I now have everything else covered, unless I broaden my horizons.

Danny

[doggone]

Gary, Here's a photo of the adapter Danny describes above.


The tap can be purchased from various sources. I bought mine from Amazon. Search for
5/16" - 36 HSS Right Hand Thread Tap 5/16 - 36 TPI by Merlintools

[Rick in Oregon]

Originally Posted by Danny

Rick
Did you already have a way to expand the neck to allow the bullets to slide in your manufactured cases, or did you come up with a work around?

Danny, I neck sized first with a larger than normal bushing, then used a fine jewelers saw to slit the neck. The bullet can then be moved in the neck for finding the start of the lands with the Hornady tool (my tool is the old Stoney Point tool, but same-same now).

There's no doubt better methods, but his has worked very well for me for quite a while now.