Thread: AOL gauges? Worth it?

Been looking to try and start reloading for accuracy now I have a basic grasp of it. I have loaded about 400 rounds so far, and found that the rifle likes either 39.8 gn, or 41.9gn. I haven't crony'd the loads so I don't know velocitys, but I have picked the lower of the two to help keep the barrel cooler, and prolong the barrel life. Now I have been reading about AOL, and its effects on pressure and accuracy, and am considering going to reloaders and getting the Hornady tool, then I figured there has to be a DIY way to do it. How do you guys measure the AOL, and seat your bullets accordingly. I am about to go measure the magazine, and compare it to the load data in the lee book, and then see how much room I have.

I'd like to hear from some of you guys as to how you measure you AOL.