Overall-Length Tool and adapting it to odd calibres, (such as 6,5x54 M.Sch.)

It occurs to me after writing this, that you normally order with this tool a SAAMI spec cartridge case in whatever calibre you are loading. This has the primer pocket already tapped for the tool and also the neck is made a sliding fit for the bullet. The idea is, you put the case and bullet into the chamber, put a cleaning rod, (I use a small diameter wooden dowel), in the muzzle end and push a similar plastic rod on the tool from the breech end until you feel the bullet touch the lands. You lock the breech rod in place with a screw and remove and measure the case and bullet to get OAL to lands. Subtract 10 thou or so and you have a useful seating depth FOR THAT RIFLE ONLY.

You can use SAAMI or European CIL specs, but the OAL tool gives you a custom COL length. In the case of the Carcano bullet above, neither SAAMI nor CIL apply so you must use this tool.

So how do you make a 6,5x54 M.Sch. case (or any other non-listed case that money cannot buy), for this tool?

The reaming job is straightforward, you just need the right tap. If you've used the RCBS stuck case remover, you'll know what to do - or ask your gunsmith to do it for you. I assume you can work out the Hornady thread size. If not, let me know and I'll find my thread gauge.

Now comes the neck; how do you make it a sliding fit? I guess you could fire the cartridge and not size it, tap it and you're good to go. But one day you'll accidentally size it in a batch. What do you do then?

I use some thin plastic sheet that came from Ballistic Products, (I think it's "mylar wrap", but the description has gone). This plastic is hard enough and also thin enough that if you wrap a bit into a funnel shape and insert it into the case mouth, you can now lower the FL die and expander button into the case and the plastic will not split. The case neck is now several thou oversize and a bullet is a sliding fit. If the plastic falls in, (rarely), just use a bullet puller to get it out.

Whatever odd calibre you have, (such as 9,5x57 M.Sch, 9x56 M.Sch., 8x56 M.Sch. and so on),you can now make a custom case to establish the best OAL. Likewise, for any of the listed calibres for which Hornady do have a SAAMI spec case, (e.g. .243Win., .270 Win., etc.), you can instead make your own and it will be a custom fit to your rifle so the OAL length will be exact, not just approximate.

It's also quite useful to discover if you have free-bore and simply learn more about your rifle. For instance, I used it on three .243's and each of them were quite different.