Finding your lands (video)

[L1986]

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[Sheldon N]

I will eventually do one on sizing as well. The reason you experienced what you did is because the angle of the shoulder in your chamber is not exactly the same as in you die. And your comparator only measures one spot. The best way is to have your smith make you a comparator with the reamer used on your barrel.

I've got one for a different rifle, I'll have to try and see if there's a difference there on that gun and brass combo.

 

[Keone]

Can this method be used with factory rifles?? like a Savage Model 12?? I haven't taken my bolt apart yet to try it but it just doesn't seem like the bolt would fall close like on the gun shown in the video.

 

[oldrem]

Wow, this old man is excited to try it out. I learned a lot. Thanks for the great video.

 

[lpreddick]

I'v been wearing this technique out! Most of " my lands" were long and in some case I was barely touching, thinking I was .020 into. This could explain why some loads would shoot good, then not good...we are always trying to explain stuff like this. I found if I pushed the shoulder back so that bolt closure is very loose, I could feel the difference in .002 easily. Another thank you.

 

[6BRinNZ]

My thanks to zFast - this video just saved me a world of time. Took me a couple of goes - its tight and then .002 in and the handle drops - woops too much. But very repeatable. Most confidence I have had on finding the lands to date.

 

[Hicky214]

Can this method be used with factory rifles?? like a Savage Model 12?? I haven't taken my bolt apart yet to try it but it just doesn't seem like the bolt would fall close like on the gun shown in the video.

I wanna know this also

 

[Patch700]

Can this method be used with factory rifles?? like a Savage Model 12?? I haven't taken my bolt apart yet to try it but it just doesn't seem like the bolt would fall close like on the gun shown in the video.

Yes.. You must strip the bolt as you would any other except in the case of a savage you also remove the extraction ramp. It will most definitely fall freely.
This is also the same "feel" that most use to decide how much a case gets sized.. On my rifles that get set up on bags i want the sized brass to allow a stripped bolt to ever so slightly fall on a chambered empty case thats been sized.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

It would be hard to do on a Savage. You would have to remove the firing pin and baffle. You need the extraction "ring" on the bolt to give extraction but you need to remove the spring and detent ball for it to fall freely. Just one more "hit" against the Savage design IMO.

 

[jray57]

Doesn't the steel wool method (in the Savage-or a fancy custom action)do the same thing without the necessity to "feel" contact with the lands?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Its good to have many tricks at your disposal. Some may not work sometimes but another will.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Exactly. I know lots wont try it out of fear of a nut kick but its ok if you use it or not. This topic shouldnt have even got a single reply! Thanks for taking the time to make the video alex. I for one appreciate it

 

[fguffey]

I have no problem determining the distance from the lands to the bolt face. Without the latest in tools and videos I simply drill the primer pocket/flash hole out to a diameter that will accommodate a cleaning rod. I use fired cases with all the bullet hold I can get; meaning I neck size or check the chamber length from the shoulder of the chamber to the bolt face.


I remove the bolt and chamber a case with a seated bullet. I make the bullet is seated short, after chambering the test cease I use a cleaning rod to push the bullet out of the case and into the lands. When the bullet contacts the lands I stop pushing and then remove the test case.


It is about this time the test case becomes a transfer. I adjust the seating plug to zero on the bullet and avoid crimping. When finished I measure the height of the seating stem above the die and call it ‘zero’. If I choose to seat the bullet .020” off the lands I lower the stem .020”.


I want to know the distance from the lands to the bolt face. I am the fan of ‘the bullet jump’ I want my bullets to have that running start. Then there is bullet hold, I want all the bullet hold I can get.


F. Guffey

 

[dmoran]

^^ Thought that old method died about the same time as bag phones.... lol
But your way is your way, and works for you right.....

Stripped bolt on cam for me...... accurate and repeatable
Donovan

 

[saunaking]

The best way is to have your smith make you a comparator with the reamer used on your barrel.

The gunsmith I used years ago for a 6.5 WSM build used the reamer on the end of the barrel he cut off to make a comparator for me. I have asked every gunsmith since to do the same thing for me when chambering a new barrel...works great.

 

[dmoran]

Exactly, ....... It's just a free tip guys. No one is gonna kick you in the nuts for not trying it

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Awesome D

That guy shoulda tried the video method.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Patiently awaiting this weekend's video..... where is it @zfastmalibu ? Hmmmm.

Tom

Here it is http://www.wheeleraccuracy.com/#!videos/p62ad

 

[dmoran]

^^^^ Another great instructional video Alex !.!.!

Good of you,
Donovan

 

[gilream]

zfastmalibu...I tried your method for finding the lands on my BAT MB action after removing the firing pin and ejector assemblies. It worked very well and thanks for posting the excellent videos on your website. It also works extremely well for FL sizing the brass case. (I learned that I was not sizing my brass quite enough)

Prior to running the "lands" test I first went through the process with my Stoney Point (Hornady LNL) tool when the same bullet in pristine condition. After all was said and done the results were within one thousandths (.001) of each other. Very close.

I sent two fired cases to Hornady to make my customized modified case and it fits the chamber like a latex glove. I do not need to add a headspace factor to my readings on the gauge.