11 days later still not received
You asked for a review but I have yet to receive my order. I have ordered from multiple on line stores on that same day and received them all last week. I at this time would not know how to rate the item.
Inexpensive
Excellent tool for quick seating depth measuring. I've dobe it removing the firing pin and ejector off the bolt for a long time but this tool makes it a lot easier.
OAL Gage
Quality product. I look forward to my shot groups shrinking. Brownells had a decent price and was one of just a few suppliers who had the gage in stock.
Works great for precision reloading.
I use this to determine the distance to lands in an AR-15 for greater than magazine length loads using Sierra Match King 80gr bullets that are single loaded. It's a great way to enhance accuracy when done right. The only headache is getting repeatable measurements on the distance to lands because of the shape of some leades (tapered start of rifling). Take your time, try different insertion methods and keep at it until you can get 10 consistent readings. At my best I'll get 10 readings with only .001" difference between them. The photo below shows a 3 round group in the top right corner of the target I fired at 680 yards after the two in the center and one low left.
Works great
I purchased this to make my rounds more accurate without the guess work. I used to take a piece of brass, barely crimp the end to hold the bullet, and then use that, but it was very innacurate. This solved the issue. The gauge requires the specific pieces of brass (which you can make with a tap and die set...) and it takes out all the guess work. You insert the bullet into the case, slide it into the chamber, ram the rod all the way up so the bullets are hitting the lands, hold the case firm against the chamber and tighten gently. Pull the case back out, and get the same bullet (don't use a different one). I use the Hornady Comparator set which gives MUCH more accurate readings than doing an OAL. I start .005" back and work back from there. This works great because even when you use the same brand of bullet, they are still way different and it's nice to be able to do this as fast as possible (takes 2 minutes) and have match grade rounds coming out without the guess work. I have never had a quality issue, I have dropped mine, it has been sitting in a drawer with other tools, and it has never been an issue. Hornady stuff is great, and I will continue to purchase it.
Handy tool
WISH I HAD THIS 30 YEARS AGO! I used to determine seating depth with using a carbide lamp to blacken bullets with soot and carefully chamber the round to get a "touching the rifling" O.A.L. This tool is simple and it works. Although it does take a few tries to get the "feel" of when the bullet just touches..
HORNADY Lock-N-Load OAL Gauge
I use it for competitive shooting. Easy to use. The inconvenience is the necessity for a modified case.
Great tool
Okay I got this tool some time ago, and did not think much of it until I did some reloading of new stuff. I got some new bullets that I don't normally use they are longer and much better brand. I set up the stuff and went to work. Put the finished round in the gun and stuck the bullet in the barrel. With this tool I got the new overall length and I'm back in business.
Poor Construction
Opening the shipment I found the plastic internal rod did not slide at all. I removed the set screws completely and then removed the plastic rod to the point of breakage. Close examination reviled excess plastic at the seams points which was causing the friction preventing the rod from sliding inside the tube. A few light passes with a knife blade (scrape) on each seam fixed the problem. I also find the set screws inadequate as they are too small in size and should be addressed by the manufacturer. The next "set screw" size up would do wonders. I will custom correct this.. Other then that I am looking forward to using the tool. I think it is a good concept for precision.
Fragile
Gauge works well, buy is very fragile. Do not drop it.
