How to Properly Use a Stoney Point/Hornady Bullet Seating Gauge

[centershot]

My question is, how much push do you put on the inserting rod to get an accurate reading? My bullets get stuck in the lands when I do this. Not putting that much pressure on it. The minute I feel contact I stop. That seems to give me a reading into the lands.

 

[TTE]

You can use gravity (slowly or quickly, depends on your patience level) to assist.

 

[46and2]

I make my own cases from once fired brass from my chamber. I size the neck to about a half of a thousandth interference fit.
I leave the bullet way too long with the stick against the bullet base and seat the case in the chamber, lock the shaft and pull the guage and measure. This gives me a very consistent pressure and measurement.

 

[centershot]

So it would appear that pushing on the rod is a no no. Does not sound like either of the previous posters have their pullets stuck in the lands as I do.

 

[M-61]

So it would appear that pushing on the rod is a no no. Does not sound like either of the previous posters have their pullets stuck in the lands as I do.

Mine always stick in the lands. You set the SET screw remove the tool and tap the bullet out with a cleaning rod from the muzzle end. It’s limited how much force you can apply PUSHING on a cable . Bullet slips back into the empty case and measure away. If you get the exact same reading twice, well congratulations. I usually take 5 readings and pick a couple that match or are very close

 

[jelenko]

I use the modified case that comes with the tool. I 'seat' the bullet long. As I push the tool into the chamber I have a finger lightly touching the flexible 'string' and keep the same pressure as the bullet is pressed into the lands. The bullet is always stuck in the lands but comes out by raising the muzzle and tapping on the AR15 handguard with a plastic mallet. With a bolt gun I'd probably tap on the action if it's exposed.
Results are +/- 2 thousands - usually +/- 1 thousandths.

I think this is similar to what 46and2 is doing. That said. I'm thinking his approach would produce even more consistent results

 

[nmkid]

Mine always stick in the lands. You set the SET screw remove the tool and tap the bullet out with a cleaning rod from the muzzle end. It’s limited how much force you can apply PUSHING on a cable . Bullet slips back into the empty case and measure away. If you get the exact same reading twice, well congratulations. I usually take 5 readings and pick a couple that match or are very close

I read on another post somewhere that you should quickly wiggle the tool back and forth as you remove it, and the bullet should come out with it. I tried it, and it works most of the time. Of course, if you jam the bullet too much, it'll have to be punched out.

 

[Texas Solo]

Your just going too fast.
Push the rod SLOWLY until you feel the first bit of contact.

 

[powderbrake]

Push slowly and very lightly. You should be able to feel the bullet touching the lands. It take practice, and is dependent on "feel" and how hard you push.
An easier way to find the lands is Finding your lands Very accurate, but you must have ejector and firing pin removed from your bolt.

 

[Downhill]

I have always inserted a cleaning rod with a blunt jag in the muzzle. Gently Tapping the rod on the tool and using the cleaning rod to push bullet back if I think I am too far in. Takes a little practice but you get a feel where you are in relation to the lands.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

I find that tool is the worst way to do it, but getting the bullet stuck is normal. You can put a little sizing wax on it to reduce the chance of getting stuck. Covering the bullet with sharpie can help you see how much and where it contacts the lands.

You really only need to know where the hard jam is so you don't get a bullet stuck and dump powder all over. Back off hard jam a little and just keep on testing shorter till it shoots good. Doesn't matter if its jumping or in the lands, only the target matters.

 

[gero]

I find the tool is so fiddly as to almost be useless. Most times the bullet will stick and you have to push it out with a dowel or cleaning rod. I usually take an empty sized case, insert the bullet slightly, put it in the action, close the bolt. I use a dowel to feel the depth of engagement, then use a micrometer seater to push the bullet in incrementally till the dummy does not stick by feel with the dowel. I borrowed this technique from Speedy on one of Cortina's videos on how he obtained his starting measurement on a new barrel.

 

[LVLAaron]

Don't overthink it. It's a reference tool, not a measuring tool. Just use the same amount of pressure each time.

 

[rlporter507]

You can use gravity (slowly or quickly, depends on your patience level) to assist.

gravity is what i use. I put the muzzle down, and drop the bullet slowly into the chamber. then i insert the tool behind it with the rod set about a 1/4 from the base of the bullet. i have a mark on the rod for this. then i loosen the nut and let the rod drop on the bullet, tighten, and then put the muzzle up with a bit of wiggle and it comes right out. I have found this method to give me the most consistent results, even if its a little into the lands. I use this on uppers, now my bolt gun i use the wheeler method. eric cortina has a video on doing it by jamming, then backing off to a safe distance which makes sense to me also.

 

[gme]

in my experience the best way to get consistent reading with that tool is to first drop the bullet into the chamber and use a rod to seat it into the lands until it stops, then insert the tool/modified case over the bullet and take a reading off the base of the bullet.

 

[JFrank]

I start with a barrel off touch point ( ie the Speedy method ) note that number than with the barrel on and using the Hornday tool run the same bullet lightly into the lands until it stops and note that number, I call that a transfer, now I can monitor throat erosion quite easily.

 

[Old Navy]

Mine always stick in the lands. You set the SET screw remove the tool and tap the bullet out with a cleaning rod from the muzzle end. It’s limited how much force you can apply PUSHING on a cable . Bullet slips back into the empty case and measure away. If you get the exact same reading twice, well congratulations. I usually take 5 readings and pick a couple that match or are very close

Exactly what I do. Beware sometimes a tight/dirty free bore will give you a false reading.

 

[K22]

I use the Frankfort Arsenal tool method which does not require any cases. Their method consists of two spacers that lock on a conventional cleaning rod. You also need a caliper which almost all reloaders have already. You will also need a blunted jag with the tip ground off flat and parallel to the jag body. If you buy the Frankfort kit, it comes with the blunted jag.

First you insert the cleaning rod into the barrel, muzzle end, until the rod contacts the cocked bolt face. Lock the first spacer in place. This needs to be done only once if you want to measure several bullets.

Second, insert a bullet into the chamber so it fits snugly against the lands using a wooden dowel. A bore guide makes this process easier to align the bullet in the throat.

Third, insert the cleaning rod back into the barrel, muzzle end, until the rod contacts the bullet while using the wooden dowel to keep the bullet held in the lands. Lock the second spacer.

Measure the distance between the spacers. Note the Frankfort spacers have recesses to take into account the thickness of the second spacer. If you use homemade nylon spacers without these recesses, you have to add the thickness of the second spacer to obtain the max base to ogive measurement.

Because of variations in bullet ogives, I often measure five bullets and take the longest as the max base to ogive. This method is quick allowing me to measure several bullets in a lot.

 

[dgeesaman]

My question is, how much push do you put on the inserting rod to get an accurate reading? My bullets get stuck in the lands when I do this. Not putting that much pressure on it. The minute I feel contact I stop. That seems to give me a reading into the lands.

I push pretty firmly and tap the bullet out with a wooden dowel.

It gives a longer number than any method that tries to find ‘touch’ but I find it’s quite consistent.

 

[dgeesaman]

in my experience the best way to get consistent reading with that tool is to first drop the bullet into the chamber and use a rod to seat it into the lands until it stops, then insert the tool/modified case over the bullet and take a reading off the base of the bullet.

Interesting can you make that work with flat base bullets?