How do you measure distance to the lands?

[steelholder]

I'm new to precision loading but not to reloading.

I've watched many YouTube vids and people seem to have their own methods. I feel that using a fire formed case would obviously get you more accurate measurements. Please explain what you do step by step.

[dtrancrx]

Buy a Hornady OAL gauge and a hornady comparator

[steelholder]

Buy a Hornady OAL gauge and a hornady comparator

Can't you just use a fired case with a lightly seated bullet instead of the OAL gauge? I have a comparator.

[Red Mist Maker]

Can't you just use a fired case with a lightly seated bullet instead of the OAL gauge? I have a comparator.

You could BUT the bullet really needs to slip freely in the case so your not jamming it into the lands. Also, if jammed in it may stick pulling it from the case, too loose, it may slip farther in than actual OACL.
The Hornady OACL tool and their cases work well, and I have been using a Stoney Point one for years, They were the ones that Hornady bought and put their name on, same tool new name.
Good luck and safe shooting.
Red Mist

[LynnJr]

https://youtu.be/-BeY0WvNJwE

[divingin]

Wheeler Accuracy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWmIwPwLyyg

[steelholder]

Wheeler Accuracy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWmIwPwLyyg

This one makes perfect sense, thank you.

How far off the lands do you start your loads?

[bsumoba]

IMO, the only way to do it...

[jimmykan]

The guess-and-check method seems really time-consuming, and you have to remove the firing pin assembly. Especially if you're chasing lands on a barrel burner, where the throat moves forward 0.010" every 100 rounds.

[steelholder]

The guess-and-check method seems really time-consuming, and you have to remove the firing pin assembly. Especially if you're chasing lands on a barrel burner, where the throat moves forward 0.010" every 100 rounds.

Opposed to which other method?

[jimmykan]

Opposed to which other method?

This method:

[mmlook]

The guess-and-check method seems really time-consuming, and you have to remove the firing pin assembly. Especially if you're chasing lands on a barrel burner, where the throat moves forward 0.010" every 100 rounds.

its not too bad

takes maybe 10-15min

imo,
if you care about chasing the lands, getting an accurate measurement is more important than doing it fast

[rosenbaumtravis]

[steelholder]

Wheeler Accuracy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWmIwPwLyyg

IMO, the only way to do it...

its not too bad

takes maybe 10-15min

imo,
if you care about chasing the lands, getting an accurate measurement is more important than doing it fast

For you guys using this method - how do you resize your case in order to achieve the handle drop like the video? Full size, neck size? I can't size the case in a way that makes the handle drop freely the way it does in the vid. The handle gets hung up and doesn't drop.

[jimmykan]

For you guys using this method - how do you resize your case in order to achieve the handle drop like the video? Full size, neck size? I can't size the case in a way that makes the handle drop freely the way it does in the vid. The handle gets hung up and doesn't drop.

Might need to use a virgin case.