I just got one of these, and since i have never used one before, would it be a good idea for me to tighten the set screw before i push the whole thing into the chamber so i can make sure that it is all the way in before i try to push the bullet out towards the lands? and as far as knowing when you hit the lands, i just pushed really slow until i felt resistance which i am assuming was the lands, would that be the best way to tell if i hit the lands or not. Any help with using this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Hornady Lock-N-Load Overall Length Gage Bolt Action
- Thread starter dezmick
- Start date
Teknys
Handloader
- Jan 14, 2008
- 838
- 358
Short answer - Yes and Yes.
I hold my guns upright and push the unit up solid so the shoulder of the case is up tight in the chamber. I then loosen the set screw and push the rod - and bullet up against the lands. I don't just "JAM" it up there to the lands but gently push till it hits, then tighten the set screw. If the bullet sticks it will fall back out with a gently bump of the stock. I usually repeat this a few times with diff bullets to get an average which the measurement to the ogive should be fairly repeatable. OAL can vary a little especially with lead tip (Partition) bullets. While you’re doing this, it's a good time to measure the magazine to get a ball park max length.
I hold my guns upright and push the unit up solid so the shoulder of the case is up tight in the chamber. I then loosen the set screw and push the rod - and bullet up against the lands. I don't just "JAM" it up there to the lands but gently push till it hits, then tighten the set screw. If the bullet sticks it will fall back out with a gently bump of the stock. I usually repeat this a few times with diff bullets to get an average which the measurement to the ogive should be fairly repeatable. OAL can vary a little especially with lead tip (Partition) bullets. While you’re doing this, it's a good time to measure the magazine to get a ball park max length.
rick smith
Handloader
- Apr 6, 2005
- 1,249
- 0
First try the modified case in the chamber, without the rod, close the bolt and then extract. If the case is tight you need to know. I use two different methods with the modified case. If the bullet will drop into the neck of the modified case I drop the bullet into the case, insert the case into the chamber with the muzzle pointed up, point the muzzle down, release the rod letting it hit the base of the bullet and tighten the set screw. If the bullet is tight in the modified case mouth, start the bullet into the case mouth then insert the unit into the chamber letting the lands push the bullet into the case. then slide the rod to touch and lock the set screw. I don't use the rod to push the bullet.
With the measurement verified by several tries, I make a dummy round to check for land marks. Either of the above methods can put the bullet into the lands. With my dummy round, I turn 4/0 steel around the bullet a couple times and try it in the rifle by hand inserting the round into the chamber and closing the bolt. When extracting the round, I put my fingers in the extraction port to prevent bullet contact.
Once you are satisfied you are the desired distance off the lands, check magazine fit.Rick.
With the measurement verified by several tries, I make a dummy round to check for land marks. Either of the above methods can put the bullet into the lands. With my dummy round, I turn 4/0 steel around the bullet a couple times and try it in the rifle by hand inserting the round into the chamber and closing the bolt. When extracting the round, I put my fingers in the extraction port to prevent bullet contact.
Once you are satisfied you are the desired distance off the lands, check magazine fit.Rick.
Similar threads
