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Hornady Ammo Concentricity Tool

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rkingston View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rkingston Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Hornady Ammo Concentricity Tool
    Posted: December/01/2010 at 14:56
Anyone tried the Hornady Concentricity Gauge / Tool for finding and correcting bullet run-out? I have measured my reloads and found them to be anywhere from .000 to .006 run-out. Thought this tool might help.
RK 
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jonoMT View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/01/2010 at 15:26
Nothing wrong with having a tool to check concentricity, but I'd prefer to fix whatever's causing the runout in the first place. I've had really good results since switching from a standard die set to a Redding S Bushing die for resizing, along with their competition seating die. The bushing dies come with a standard size decapping rod or you can use just a retainer so that you're not working the brass as you pull the decapping rod back up through the neck.

The seating die uses a floating sleeve that positions and aligns the bullet with the case. It feels smoother in operation than my other dies (both RCBS and Redding). And it never leaves any ring or other marks on the bullet.

There are, of course, other reasons why runout can occur, but paying the extra price for really good dies won't hurt anything but your wallet. Handloading is time-consuming enough without having to add another step to the process each and every time you run a batch of ammo.
Reaction time is a factor...
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supertool73 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/01/2010 at 15:49
I have it, it is very nice.  In just a few seconds per round you can fix all your ammo to around .001.  I really like it and recommend it. 

Jono is right on on getting a bushing die.  Typically it is the expander that will cause it a long with varying neck thickness. 

I only went so far as to buy a bushing die for my precision .308.  All my hunting and plinnking guns I will continue to use the regular dies I have.  Especially since I can correct it with the hornady tool.
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rkingston View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rkingston Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/01/2010 at 16:04
I'm using Redding dies (not competition) and a Redding press. I try to be precise and even seat the bullet in 3 increments turning it a little each time. Most are within .002 but I still get the random .005 or .006. Good feedback though. Sounds like the Hornady tool will correct the problem, even if I cant.
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tjtjwdad View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tjtjwdad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/01/2010 at 19:27
After you fire a case the runout should be pretty darn good.
 
Check your cases before you (full length) resize them and record the readings.  If they improve then your die is probably OK.  If they get worse take a good hard look at the stem because if it's off, even by a little bit, run outs can occur.  From my experience, neck sizing (only) a case with a bad run out doesn't do much, whereas a full length die will straighten it to some degree. 
 
After the above, if the runout is good check the seating operation.  MAke sure the case mouth is beveled for proper seating alignment.  Then check again.
 
Another place to look is your press.  Take a good hard look and check the ram movement is straight up and down with no side-to-side play.  That too can cause run outs.
 
HTH, 
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trigger29 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote trigger29 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/01/2010 at 19:30
Anybody compare a Lee collet neck sizer to the Redding bushing die, and see how runout compares? I use a lee collet neck sizer, and a Redding body die to full length size.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SD Dog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/02/2010 at 11:34
Think SakoMato (Bob) has used both.  Think he like the Lee collet better but not 100% certain.  Hopefully he will chime in.
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supertool73 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/02/2010 at 12:23
I hope so, SakoMato is the master at reloading
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jonoMT View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/02/2010 at 14:13
I've heard good things about the Lee collet dies. RKingston, FWIW, I've done the 120 deg. rotation thing too with regular dies. With the comp. seater, I've never bothered. Because of the sliding sleeve it also seems to get the bullet aligned with the case a little faster so they don't go up into the die cockeyed.
Reaction time is a factor...
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