Modified case for measuring throat.

[Minesweeper3433]

I have been reading on here for years now about the hornady modified case's for measuring were the throat is. I finally broke down today and made on for my 243win and my 300winmag and I have to say I am amazed at how easy it is. I split the neck down to just bellow the shoulder junction with a dremel cutoff wheel on a piece of old hard work hardened brass. Then i just stick a bullet of my choice in with finger pressure and chamber the round. I get consistent measurements within +- .001" every time without a phantom measurement yet. And best of all I take the case and bullet after knowing what the throat contact is and then can set up my seating die with that same case and bullet. Easiest way of setting up my seating dies I have ever found and I don't think I will ever go back to the old way I was doing things which never consistently worked out.

 

[Baddog0302]

Interesting, I tied an "M" die used to expand and bell case necks for shooting cast bullets. In my case when I close the bolt to finish seating the bullet, the bullet sometimes grips the rifling and the bullet stays and needs tapping out.
I may try the split neck thing.

 

[Mr. Ten-X]

Long before the advent of the Stoney Point tool, my MO was similar. My difference was to to drill a tine hole at the bottom of the saw cut so the neck would more easily expand. I'd then clean the interior/exterior with very fine miniature files to deburr the edges. Have a collection of cases for the Stoney Point and find the system to be pretty consistent overall.