Hornady OAL gauge question from a NEWB!

[JustMissedIt]

I have the gauge with the 6.5 modified case. Case fits into the chamber just fine. But, when I push the bullet in, it’s way short of a factory load. Am I doing something wrong? I’ve tried 140 Berger hybrids and 140 eld’s. If I push the gauge too hard, the bullet gets stuck and I have to push it back out with a wooden dowel. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I seated some bullets at factory depths I measured off of a box of ELD’s I had and they chamber just fine.

 

[JustMissedIt]

Also, the barrel has 160 total rounds on it. Only 60 since I completely removed all copper. Bartlein 26” 7.5twist

 

[Mainer]

I have the gauge with the 6.5 modified case. Case fits into the chamber just fine. But, when I push the bullet in, it’s way short of a factory load. Am I doing something wrong?

If what you are saying is correct, then a factory round would be jammed into the rifling, so I suspect that you are missing something.

I like to push the bullet in firmly to make sure that I am touching the lands, then push it back SLIGHTLY with a cleaning rod, then very gently push it back into the rifling. I sometimes do this a couple of times to "get the feel" before I take any measurements.

I hope this helps.

 

[want2learn]

I've tried and tried to secure reliable data using the Hornady tool to no avail. I know many use it well but not me. I tried all the tips i could find here and elsewhere. tipped the barrel, used an opposing wooden dowel, made sure the barrel and chamber was clean and dry, used the most gentle of touch possible.....the spread of values was surprising and disappointing.

i then took an empty fireformed and unprimed case and cut a couple of notches in it to hold a projectile and tried using it to measure length to rifling....this seemed to work a little bit better but still frustrating. this technique is described here: http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2012/07/tool-tip-make-your-own-length-to-lands-gauge/

someone referred me to this video which is great if you can remove the extractor and plunger from your bolt....



ultimately i ended up just loading up a couple of dummy rounds with the projectiles set much too long and slowly kept progressively seating the projectile deeper and deeper on my reloading press always checking the case after each modification in my rifle chamber till they loaded without resistance or any evidence of rifling on the projectile....i then measure this case carefully as well as kept the data logged and kept the dummy for future reference. i make note of the specific projectile and case used.

 

[Wheres-Waldo]

Take the firing pin/striker ASSY and ejector out of your bolt.

FL size a case and make sure it has zero resistance chambering (gravity can close the bolt)

Make a FL Sized dummy round with standard neck tension. Ensure seating depth is long enough to engage the rifling. Use some soof bullet lube here!

Insert dummy on bolt face and close the action, letting gravity close the bolt into battery.

If it doesn’t close, seat the bullet in further and repeat...

Close in on the exact seating depth at which gravity will cam the bolt into battery.

 

[Herb Stoner]

One other thing that help me was to modify a fired case. It can be done easily on a basic lathe. I had a friend with a machine shop drill and thread mine - just took a few minutes. There are some good videos on you toob showing the process.