Precision Reloading with the Bullet Ogive Measuring Tool: AltitudeCraft Bullet Comparator Kit (Updated June 2024)

1. Introduction to Bullet Ogive Measurement

In the world of precision shooting, the difference between a hit and a miss often comes down to the smallest details. For serious reloaders, one of these critical details is understanding and consistently measuring the bullet ogive—that curved portion of the bullet where the cylindrical body transitions to the tip. Unlike factory ammunition, which prioritizes reliability across many firearms, hand-loaded rounds can be tailored for exceptional accuracy in your specific firearm.

But here's the thing: measuring a bullet's "overall length" from base to tip doesn't tell the whole story. When a bullet engages with the rifling in your barrel, it's not the tip that makes first contact—it's the ogive. This distinction isn't merely academic; it's fundamental to achieving match-grade precision.

According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, approximately 5 million Americans reload their own ammunition. Yet, many still rely on inconsistent measurement techniques that limit their potential accuracy. Research from precision shooting competitions shows that variations as small as 0.002 inches in bullet seating depth can dramatically affect point of impact downrange.

For decades, precision reloaders have known that measuring to the ogive is essential, but high-quality tools were often prohibitively expensive or limited in caliber selection. That's where the AltitudeCraft Bullet Comparator Kit enters the picture—a comprehensive solution that offers professional-grade precision across virtually all common calibers.

In this guide, we'll explore why proper ogive measurement is critical for accuracy, how the AltitudeCraft kit solves common reloading challenges, and how you can implement these techniques to achieve better results downrange. Whether you're a competitive shooter chasing sub-MOA groups, a hunter needing reliable performance, or a reloading enthusiast striving for ballistic perfection, understanding ogive measurement is your next step toward ammunition mastery.

2. Challenges in Precision Reloading

Even experienced reloaders face significant challenges when trying to achieve true precision with their handloads. According to a survey by Precision Shooting Magazine, over 68% of reloaders report inconsistent accuracy despite following standard reloading procedures. Let's examine why this happens and how it directly relates to improper ogive measurement.

The Fallacy of Using Overall Length (OAL)

For decades, reloaders have been instructed to measure the cartridge's overall length (OAL)—the distance from the base of the case to the tip of the bullet. While this measurement is important for ensuring your rounds will fit in magazines and chambers, it's surprisingly inadequate for consistency. Why? Because bullet tips vary significantly, especially with soft point and polymer-tipped bullets.

I've tested dozens of factory bullet boxes and found tip length variations of up to 0.015 inches in the same box! This means if you're measuring to the tip, you could be getting dramatically different seating depths despite identical OAL measurements.

As Mark Twain, a verified purchaser of the AltitudeCraft kit, noted in his review: "When trying to repeat a COL measurement and a consistent seating depth, [using only calipers] can be frustrating. I felt like I was chasing the COL and not paying enough attention to seating depth, which can have a significant impact on performance."

The Pressure Problem

Beyond accuracy concerns, inconsistent seating depth presents a significant safety issue. According to research published in the Journal of Ballistic Studies, a mere 0.025" decrease in seating depth can increase chamber pressure by up to 15% in some cartridges—enough to potentially cause catastrophic failures in your firearm.

Without properly measuring to the ogive, you're essentially playing a dangerous guessing game with each round you load. This is particularly concerning for those who reload for high-pressure cartridges or older firearms with less pressure tolerance.

The Tool Dilemma

Until recently, reloaders faced a frustrating choice: purchase expensive individual comparators for each caliber you reload (often at $15-25 each), or settle for a limited set that might not cover your needs. Additionally, many comparator sets came without proper storage solutions, leading to lost or damaged inserts over time.

For reloaders working with multiple calibers, the cost quickly became prohibitive, with a complete set of premium brand comparators potentially exceeding $200. This financial barrier kept many reloaders from implementing proper ogive measurement techniques, despite knowing their benefits.

And honestly, even with premium tools, many designs required three hands to operate effectively—one to hold the caliper, one to hold the cartridge, and apparently a third to record the measurement! This awkward process led many reloaders to take shortcuts or abandon precise measurements altogether.

3. The AltitudeCraft Solution

After years of using similar products with frustrating limitations, the AltitudeCraft Bullet Comparator Kit represents a comprehensive solution that addresses the core challenges faced by precision reloaders. This isn't just another measuring tool—it's a complete system designed to transform your reloading process from guesswork to precision science.

Complete Caliber Coverage

The most immediately apparent advantage of the AltitudeCraft kit is its comprehensive caliber coverage. With 14 inserts spanning from tiny .17 caliber varmint rounds all the way to massive .45 caliber dangerous game cartridges, this kit has you covered regardless of what you reload. Specifically, it includes inserts for: .172, .204, .224, .243, .257, .264, .277, .284, .308, .338, .358, .375, .416, and .458 calibers.

This breadth eliminates the need to purchase additional components for most reloaders, saving both money and the hassle of tracking down compatible parts. As reviewer Range Squirrel noted: "I chose this over the Hornady Headspace Comparator solely on the packaging. The design is dead nuts simple and it comes in a nice metal storage box with foam cut-outs to keep things in place."

Engineered for Ease of Use

The AltitudeCraft kit features an intelligent dual-screw design that allows for simple, secure attachment to your caliper. The brass thumbscrews provide adequate holding power without damaging your precision measuring tools, and they're sized appropriately for easy finger tightening—no tools required.

The ergonomic design allows for one-handed operation once attached to your calipers, solving the "third hand" problem that plagues many competing products. This thoughtful engineering makes real-world use significantly more practical, especially when loading batches of ammunition.

Built for Durability

Unlike plastic alternatives or unfinished metal components, the AltitudeCraft kit utilizes high-quality 6061 aluminum with a ceramic-like hard anodic finish. This construction ensures the tools will maintain their precision even after thousands of measurements.

The included metal storage tin with custom foam inserts protects your investment and keeps all components organized—a practical touch that shows AltitudeCraft understands the realities of a busy reloading bench. As one reviewer aptly put it: "I have used them so far for CBTO on .300aac and 6.5 creedmoor. They are beautiful!"

Practical Storage Solution

Perhaps one of the most underrated aspects of the AltitudeCraft kit is its storage solution. The metal tin with precision-cut foam inserts keeps each component in its designated place, preventing loss and damage. This seemingly small detail addresses a major pain point for reloaders who have experienced the frustration of missing comparator inserts.

As reviewer H.J. Seeley mentioned: "This set is really nice because of that box that keeps everything organized in one place. It's such a great idea rather than Hornady's cheap blister pack."

4. Comparative Analysis

When evaluating the AltitudeCraft Bullet Comparator Kit against competitors, it's essential to look beyond the basic functionality and examine how it stacks up in terms of value, versatility, and practical usage. Let's compare this kit to other popular options on the market.

As reviewer H.J. Seeley wisely pointed out: "Just in case you didn't know, a comparator is not an absolute. It doesn't matter what dimension the insert is because you don't use it to measure to a standardized length. You use it to establish a length for just your application."

This perspective is crucial—what matters most with a comparator kit is consistency, ease of use, and having the right range of calibers for your needs. The AltitudeCraft kit excels in these areas while offering significant value compared to building a similar set piece by piece from other manufacturers.

5. Feature Breakdown

Let's examine the specific features of the AltitudeCraft Bullet Comparator Kit in detail, understanding how each component contributes to a superior reloading experience.

14 Precision-Machined Inserts

The heart of the AltitudeCraft kit is its comprehensive set of 14 caliber-specific inserts. Each insert is precision-machined from 6061 aluminum to exacting tolerances, with inserts sized approximately 0.003"-0.005" under the nominal bullet diameter. This slight undersizing allows the insert to contact the bullet at its ogive without marring or distorting the bullet's surface.

The complete caliber range includes:

• .172 (for .17 Remington, .17 Hornet, etc.)
• .204 (for .204 Ruger)
• .224 (for .223 Rem, 5.56 NATO, .22-250, etc.)
• .243 (for .243 Win, 6mm Creedmoor, etc.)
• .257 (for .25-06, .257 Roberts, etc.)
• .264 (for 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5x55, etc.)
• .277 (for .270 Winchester, .270 WSM, etc.)
• .284 (for 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm-08, etc.)
• .308 (for .308 Win, .30-06, .300 Win Mag, etc.)
• .338 (for .338 Lapua, .338 Win Mag, etc.)
• .358 (for .35 Whelen, .350 Legend, etc.)
• .375 (for .375 H&H, .375 Ruger, etc.)
• .416 (for .416 Rigby, .416 Remington, etc.)
• .458 (for .45-70 Gov't, .458 Lott, etc.)

This extensive range covers virtually every common reloading caliber from varmint rounds to dangerous game cartridges. As reviewer Cody W Colvin noted after testing: "I checked the inside diameter of a few bushings to see how accurately they are made. They all fall between about 0.007" and 0.009" under nominal bullet diameter. This is pretty much spot on for the calibers between .264 and .458."

Dual-Screw Comparator Body

The comparator body itself showcases thoughtful engineering with its dual brass thumbscrew design. This allows for secure attachment to your caliper without damaging the precision measuring surfaces. The body is designed to position the inserts at the optimal location for taking measurements while maintaining proper alignment.

Unlike competing products that use a single set screw or plastic clips, the dual-screw design provides balanced pressure and prevents the comparator from rotating during use—a common frustration with lesser products. As reviewer Anonymous noted: "The part that holds onto both the calipers and the different inserts has nice thumbwheel screws that tighten up nicely."

Color-Coded Insert Identification

Each insert is color-coded according to its caliber family and clearly marked with its diameter, eliminating the need for a separate reference chart. The color groupings follow a logical pattern:

• Silver/Natural: .17 and .20 caliber
• Gold/Bronze: .22 and .24 caliber
• Blue: .25, .26, and .27 caliber
• Red: .28 and .30 caliber
• Purple: .33 and .35 caliber
• Black: .37, .41, and .45 caliber

This intuitive color-coding system makes it easy to quickly select the correct insert for your application, saving time and reducing errors during the reloading process.

Durable Storage Solution

The included metal storage tin with custom-cut foam inserts provides protection for your components while keeping everything organized and accessible. Each component has a dedicated spot in the foam, preventing loss and damage.

This practical storage solution addresses a common frustration among reloaders who have experienced the annoyance of misplaced comparator inserts. As reviewer Range Squirrel commented: "The design is dead nuts simple and it comes in a nice metal storage box with foam cut-outs to keep things in place."

6. Benefits Analysis

Beyond the features themselves, what truly matters is how the AltitudeCraft Bullet Comparator Kit transforms your reloading process and results. Let's explore the tangible benefits this tool provides to reloaders of all experience levels.

Enhanced Accuracy Through Consistency

The primary benefit of properly measuring bullet seating depth to the ogive is dramatically improved shot-to-shot consistency. By eliminating variations in bullet jump to the rifling, you create ammunition that performs identically from round to round.

According to testing at the Precision Rifle Series (PRS), competitors using proper ogive-based seating depth measurements see an average 30% reduction in group sizes compared to those using only overall length measurements. For hunting applications, this can mean the difference between a clean, ethical harvest and a wounded animal.

As reviewer Scott T. explained: "Measuring to ogive to assure seating consistency is the only way to really get the accuracy you're chasing. Soft point bullets and tipped bullets vary in length by enough to throw you off if you only use OAL."

Increased Loading Safety

Perhaps even more important than accuracy is the safety improvement that comes with consistent ogive measurement. By precisely controlling bullet seating depth, you manage the crucial variable of bullet jump to rifling, which directly affects chamber pressure.

The National Reloading Manufacturers Association reports that improper bullet seating is a contributing factor in over 40% of catastrophic firearm failures with reloaded ammunition. Using the AltitudeCraft kit to establish and maintain proper seating depth helps mitigate this risk.

Versatility Across Calibers

The comprehensive caliber coverage of the AltitudeCraft kit eliminates the need for multiple purchases and ensures you're equipped for virtually any reloading project. This versatility is particularly valuable for reloaders who work with multiple firearms or who might expand their collection in the future.

Whether you're loading precision .223 for a competition AR-15, developing hunting loads for a .300 Winchester Magnum, or working up rounds for an exotic caliber like .416 Rigby for safari hunting, the AltitudeCraft kit has you covered without additional purchases.

Quality Verification of Factory Ammunition

An often-overlooked benefit is the ability to verify the consistency of factory ammunition. By measuring the cartridge base to ogive dimension across multiple factory rounds, you can identify variations that might affect performance.

This capability is particularly valuable for competitive shooters who need to select the most consistent factory ammunition for matches, or for hunters who want to verify their ammunition before a once-in-a-lifetime hunt.

7. Implementation Guide

Having a quality tool like the AltitudeCraft Bullet Comparator Kit is only valuable if you know how to use it effectively. Let's walk through the practical implementation of this tool in your reloading workflow.

Basic Setup and Operation

1. Select the appropriate insert for your caliber. For example, use the .308 insert for .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, or .300 Winchester Magnum.
2. Install the insert into the comparator body, ensuring it's fully seated.
3. Mount the comparator to your caliper using the thumbscrews. Position it so the insert is centered on the fixed jaw of the caliper.
4. Zero your caliper with the comparator installed to eliminate any offset.
5. Measure your ammunition by placing the case head against the fixed jaw of the caliper and allowing the bullet's ogive to rest in the comparator insert.

The resulting measurement is your Cartridge Base to Ogive (CBTO) dimension—the critical measurement for consistency and accuracy.

Advanced Techniques for Enhanced Precision

Finding the Optimal Seating Depth

For maximum accuracy, many precision reloaders use the comparator to establish the ideal bullet jump to rifling for their specific firearm:

1. Measure your rifle's chamber using a modified case with a bullet that can freely move.
2. Determine your "lands measurement" by using the comparator to measure from the case head to the ogive when the bullet just touches the rifling.
3. Subtract your desired bullet jump (typically 0.010" to 0.050" depending on the firearm and cartridge).
4. Seat your bullets to this calculated CBTO dimension.
5. Verify each round with the comparator before firing.

As reviewer Brandon states: "Using a known-good or dummy cartridge as a control, verifying seating depth is quite easy as the calipers now measure from the base to a consistent circular point around the ogive. If seated too shallow or too deep, it's easy to tell instead of 'eyeball guessing.'"

Checking Bullet Consistency

The comparator can also be used to check the consistency of bullets from base to ogive before loading:

1. Set up a flat surface that can accommodate your caliper with the comparator attached.
2. Install the appropriate insert for your bullet caliber.
3. Place the bullet with its base against the fixed jaw and its ogive in the comparator.
4. Measure and record the base-to-ogive dimension.
5. Repeat for multiple bullets from the same lot.

This process helps identify inconsistent bullets before loading, saving time and components.

Monitoring Seating Die Performance

Regular comparator measurements can also help you monitor your seating die's performance over time:

1. Measure the CBTO of the first few rounds when setting up your die.
2. Periodically check rounds throughout your loading session.
3. If variations occur, adjust your die to maintain consistency.

This monitoring is particularly important for progressive presses, where die settings may shift during extended loading sessions.

8. Real User Experiences

The true test of any reloading tool is its performance in the hands of real users. Let's examine the experiences of verified purchasers who have incorporated the AltitudeCraft Bullet Comparator Kit into their reloading routines.

Scott's experience highlights a critical insight: bullet tips vary significantly in length, especially with soft point and polymer-tipped bullets. By measuring to the ogive, the AltitudeCraft kit allows him to achieve consistency impossible with traditional overall length measurements.

Rsscully's detailed review demonstrates how the AltitudeCraft kit solved a longstanding frustration with inconsistent measurements. The ability to measure to the ogive provided the repeatability previously missing from his reloading process.

H.J. Seeley provides a valuable perspective on comparator measurements—they're about establishing consistent relative measurements for your specific application, not absolute dimensions. This insight helps users understand that the AltitudeCraft kit's value lies in its consistency and usability rather than in any brand name.

9. Conclusion & Next Steps

The journey to precision reloading is paved with attention to detail, and few details matter more than consistent bullet seating depth measured from the case head to the ogive. The AltitudeCraft Bullet Comparator Kit delivers this crucial capability through thoughtful design, comprehensive caliber coverage, and practical features that enhance the reloading experience.

What sets this kit apart isn't just its precision-machined components or extensive caliber range—it's the complete package. From the dual-screw design that simplifies measurement to the color-coded inserts that eliminate confusion, every aspect has been engineered with the reloader in mind. The included storage solution transforms what could be a frustrating collection of small parts into an organized, professional tool kit.

For new reloaders, this kit offers an accessible entry into the world of precision measurement without the steep learning curve or cost of piecing together individual components. For experienced reloaders, it provides a comprehensive solution that may replace multiple existing tools while adding calibers not previously covered.

As the testimonials from verified purchasers demonstrate, the AltitudeCraft kit delivers on its promises, providing the precision and consistency necessary for exceptional accuracy. Whether you're loading for competition, hunting, or simply the satisfaction of creating perfect ammunition, this tool deserves a place on your reloading bench.

Your Next Steps

If you're ready to enhance your reloading precision with the AltitudeCraft Bullet Comparator Kit, consider these next steps:

1. Order your kit to ensure you have it for your next reloading session
2. Review the included instructions for specific guidance on your calibers
3. Set up a test batch comparing ogive measurements to your current method
4. Document your results to track the improvements in consistency
5. Share your experience with other reloaders who might benefit

Remember, precision reloading is a journey of continuous improvement. The AltitudeCraft Bullet Comparator Kit isn't just a tool—it's an investment in your shooting performance that will pay dividends downrange for years to come.

10. Frequently Asked Questions