Finding the lands without any tools.

[ELR LVR]

Close, .... but actually use two stop collars on the rod. Lock the second one from the muzzle on the bolt face (not the firing pin!). And lock the first one on the bullet. Measure between them.
If you have trouble figuring how much to tap the bullet in, use one of these to get repeatability on your 'push' rather than tapping. The insertion force gauge is like a trigger pull scale that works in reverse. Oh, and put a blunt jag on the rod, or just use 0.187 stock from the shop that has benn faced off, not just sheared.View attachment 1746415

2 Stop Collars, Perfect idea ! That would be a nice addition to refine it
The hardware store sells nylon bolts that wouldnt damage the cleaning rod
Or McMaster I think has Nylon tipped set screws also
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The Insertion force gauge is also a Great Idea !
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keep in mind when I tap the base of the bullet, its not like Im getting a foot back and running at it
I push the rod against the base to feel where it is, then maybe tap lightly from 1/4 to 1/2 inch away
perhaps 2 light taps
it gets lodged in easy enough to where you have to tap it back out from the front when youre done
but not lodged so hard it even dents the meplat when you lightly tap the front to get it back out

 

[Paddyd]

It seems to me that the same thing can be done by loading the cartridge too long and then slowly seat the bullet until the bolt closes.

This would be easier with a micrometer bullet seating screw. Do 0.10, then 0.05, etc.

That works well to, but very tedious.

 

[JFrank]

With the barrel off, finding the exact touch point is easy and exact, this PMA tool makes finding the touch point a simple step without pulling the barrel.
Why strip the bolt if you don’t need to …

Touchpoint Seating Depth Tool - BR/308 Caseheads

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[AlNyhus]

Not to argue or disagree at all but my findings were exactly opposite. Once I began using the Wheeler method it was plain as day that I was jamming far more with the L & L device than the Wheeler method was giving me.

Morning, Bill. Yes...that just shows how hard it is to compare stuff. The leade angle, bullet ogive and bullet diameter all play into this.

The main thing, for me anyway, is to have a reference that repeats and that I can go back to as a baseline.

Good shootin' -Al

 

[Bill Norris]

Morning, Bill. Yes...that just shows how hard it is to compare stuff. The leade angle, bullet ogive and bullet diameter all play into this.

The main thing, for me anyway, is to have a reference that repeats and that I can go back to as a baseline.

Good shootin' -Al

Agree 100%

 

[Orr89rocz]

On the long loaded bullets being worked in, you cans scotch-brite the bullet each time to remove the groove marks. When the slightest mark is gone your in the touch area.

I use sharpie marker and it always leaves a nice land mark. I found on my latest rifle that i can jam .080… i seated long and was able to force close bolt and it wasnt until roughly 80 thousandths off that the marker stopped getting marked up by lands. I was surprised.

 

[Tesoro]

I use sharpie marker and it always leaves a nice land mark. I found on my latest rifle that i can jam .080… i seated long and was able to force close bolt and it wasnt until roughly 80 thousandths off that the marker stopped getting marked up by lands. I was surprised.

I assume you locktite yr bullet in case neck n let it sit overnight before extracting?