How far off the lands do you start?

[Wrench]

Most accuracy smiths will tell you jam 20 in or 20 out to start. Don't start at a light kiss.

A jam is a nightmare in a hunting rifle.....so 20 off as a minimum.

Without a gauge you can put a dab of super glue in a case mouth of a fired case and chamber it with your bullet of choice. Once set....that's pretty much your kiss length.

You can drop a sized case in the chamber and measure to the case head with caliper or if you can pull the tube, a chamber checker.....them seat a bullet long and lower it in and measure again. You can take the difference and seat the bullet that much....and be at your kiss length.

The actual kiss can be tricky to measure. The important thing is to pick a spot and document it and then work away from it till you satisfy your needs.....like fitting in the mag box or accuracy....etc.

 

[WVELK]

Will throw my hat in a say you goal dictates methodology. I start with .020 off. Some say distance from lands does not matter, some say go with .030 and roll. For me, my “goal” for my magnums is to be able to have three shots inside or cutting the lines of a one inch square on a sight in target at 600 yards. Do you need to be that accurate to hunt? No. But, I am a little obsessed with trying to be as accurate as possible. So in my situation distance off the lands is very important and I can tell you it will often really fine tune your groups as a last or next to last step. But, to answer you question I start at .020 off unless I know what that bullet generally likes. For example, 180 VLDs for me always shoot best jammed .003 to .004 into the lands so I would start there with the 180 VLD and a new rifle. Hope you get whatever accuracy you are looking for my friend.