And Another Finding The Lands ?

[Kracken McGraw]

I used the Wheeler method. Got rid of bolt click, and was satisfied with bolt handle to start to fall freely. Question is now loading rounds in with firing pin and ejector spring installed, cleaning Bullet ojive with steel wool can see the faintest square land marks. I’m talking about barely seeing the four or so little marks with a big magnifying glass. Where do you think I’m at, in the lands much at all?
Thanks for your opinion’s.

 

[Doug Beach]

You’re in the lands by the length of those marks.

 

[rardoin]

You’re in the lands by the length of those marks.

Not necessarily. Remember, the point of contact on the ogive still has a little taper as well as the leade angle. Backing off 0.001" could eliminate markings of a longer nature... But, It doesn't matter, just work off the stripped bolt reading and consider it your 'zero' point.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The amount you bump your shoulder. It is not important though you just need a very consistent reference to work from.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Thanks much guys!
I was satisfied with what I did on the stripped bolt test. I’ll just use these marks as my starting point -to load at, and then test out at 20 thousandth jumps to 80 out and see if I find a sweet spot. 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr Hornady hpbt.

 

[270WinDude]

The amount you bump your shoulder. It is not important though you just need a very consistent reference to work from.

This is the logical advice here. I’m a self admitted armchair enthusiast and it’s all about getting the first reference point and going from there. That’s what I’ve done and have got a hunting rifle to shoot way more accurate then it was out of the box shooting factory ammo.

 

[Texas10]

There are many ways to perform this test, you just need to pick one that will give consistent results every time. And then this becomes a reference point to work from for each bullet style or bullet lot.

As Alex reminded, you're measuring the distance from the shoulder to the ogive, but using the case base as the datum, not a great way to do it, but somewhat necessary. Therefore shoulder bump is a factor, and ability to set up your dies properly, and measure case base to shoulder datum accurately is key.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

And now you know why consistent shoulder bump is critical

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Yes, this was some new bulk Hornady brass I was loading. Full lenght sized it, was 2 thousandth back from fired case’s. New sized case’s fed through stripped bolt with plenty of room.

 

[Texas10]

And now you know why consistent shoulder bump is critical

In your experience Alex, how often do you find a bullet has a very narrow, say within .003 inch "happy place" for seating depth? And what type of bullets tend to have a narrow seat depth requirement?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Its quite common when your looking for the most accuracy possible. Obviously if .5 moa is the goal you will have a very wide window. The farther out you go the more the windows narrow up as well because of the way the barrel harmonics compensate. I would not expect to see a lot more of a window than + or - a couple thou if your tuning at 1k.

 

[Texas10]

I guessing you'd have to shoot those at very long distances to tune that load? In other words, tune it at the distance you plan to shoot, and not shorter? And of course, be an expert at using wind flags! Or have your shooting range located in an abandoned train tunnel!

 

[ledward]

Or have your shooting range located in an abandoned train tunne

Or get set up at 5 in the morning and have 45 mins or so of perfect conditions to test loads.
Gain a lot of info this way, and testing at 1000 is easier to see patterns develop and get a good load quicker.
no easy road to success,just hard work and dedication

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Its 4am this time of year in Mt.

 

[KenOath]

I guessing you'd have to shoot those at very long distances to tune that load? In other words, tune it at the distance you plan to shoot, and not shorter? And of course, be an expert at using wind flags! Or have your shooting range located in an abandoned train tunnel!

I’m now looking for an abandoned train tunnel....I used to get up 5am to load test but apparently we’re not allowed to start shooting before 7am... annnd someone got into trouble...!!! Late afternoons can be a good time to test if you can’t get down early mornings..

 

[Shooter13]

Its 4am this time of year in Mt.

Lordy! Go to bed!!