Measuring Lands?

[Reece123]

2nd time using a Hornady oal tool to measure the lands on a rifle. First one is a 243 tikka with 103 eldx. When I did it, it was easy to push and then hit the lands hard and stopped. Pretty straightforward. On my seekins 6.5 prc im measuring with 147 elmd and 156 Bergers. With both of these bullets, it seems a little mushy and then hits the lands hard. Do I stop when I feel the slight resistance or when it gets firm?

 

[wapitibob]

You can run the bullet thru a wax candle flame to smoke it and you'll then see where the lands touch.

 

[JRay]

Videos | wheeleraccuracy

www.wheeleraccuracy.com

Watch the Finding your lands video. I use this and it works very well. You have to disassemble your bolt and it takes some time, but it is accurate.

 

[EdP]

I use the Hornady tool. 9 readings are taken, 3 with the brass knob at TDC, 3 at 90 deg CCW of TDC, and 3 at 90 deg CW of TDC. The readings are generally within a few thousanths and any that differ significantly are tossed and retaken. The 9 readings are averaged, or I may toss the high and the low and average the remaining 7.

 

[Castle Rock]

Gently, if you push firmly you are well into the rifling

 

[Shortschaf]

Videos | wheeleraccuracy

www.wheeleraccuracy.com

Watch the Finding your lands video. I use this and it works very well. You have to disassemble your bolt and it takes some time, but it is accurate.

+1 to this
Least subjective and most repeatable IMO.
Skip the fancy tools that take longer to use and aren't as accurate

 

[Caseknife]

2nd time using a Hornady oal tool to measure the lands on a rifle. First one is a 243 tikka with 103 eldx. When I did it, it was easy to push and then hit the lands hard and stopped. Pretty straightforward. On my seekins 6.5 prc im measuring with 147 elmd and 156 Bergers. With both of these bullets, it seems a little mushy and then hits the lands hard. Do I stop when I feel the slight resistance or when it gets firm?

Brand new rifle or has it been shot? What does the bullet look like when you remove it from the chamber? Does it have scuff marks or is it pristine like the others in the box of bullets? If it has scuff marks, you are pushing it through a carbon ring and then hitting the lands.

 

[WeiserBucks]

I use the Hornady tool. 9 readings are taken, 3 with the brass knob at TDC, 3 at 90 deg CCW of TDC, and 3 at 90 deg CW of TDC. The readings are generally within a few thousanths and any that differ significantly are tossed and retaken. The 9 readings are averaged, or I may toss the high and the low and average the remaining 7.

I bet 7 members of this forum know what TDC is without a Google search.