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How to Use the Hornady Bullet Comparator

Many firearms enthusiasts reload their own ammunition. Reloading, also called handloading, is not only cheaper than buying factory-produced ammunition, it also allows the shooter to have greater control over the finished cartridge. Bullet style, weight, length and the depth that the bullet is seated into the cartridge case all affect accuracy. The overall length of a loaded cartridge is usually measured from the bottom of the rim to the tip of the bullet. However, small differences in bullet tips can have enough variance that this method can be inaccurate. The Hornady Bullet Comparator uses the bullet's ogive (rounded portion between the nose and shank) as a measuring point, which is more accurate.

Things You'll Need

Dial calipers
Hornady caliber-specific bullet insert
Allen key
Loaded cartridge

Instructions

- 1
  Slide the jaws of the dial calipers open.
- 2
  Install the Hornady Bullet Comparator body to the sliding jaw of the caliper and tighten the knob.
- 3
  Select the insert for your caliber, and install it into the body of the comparator. Tighten the set screw using the Allen key.
- 4
  Slide the jaws of the calipers shut and press the reset button until the display reads 0.000 inch.
- 5
  Slide the jaws of the caliper open and insert the loaded cartridge into the jaws. Ensure that the nose of the bullet fits into the insert, then close the jaws. The bullet is now secured with the nose in the insert and the other jaw pressing against the base of the cartridge.
- 6
  Read the number displayed on the screen. This is not the cartridge's overall length, but a baseline measurement to use when comparing cartridges.

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