Measuring bearing surface on bullet

[krw]

how do you measure length of bearing surface of a bullet. I can engrave both ends with comparator then measure distance between marks. Kinda crude and not precise. Any better way?? Thanks! Krw260

 

[canezach]

Do you have a comparator body to measure to the bullet's ogive? Measure overall length, slap on the appropriate comparator body, measure base to the ogive, turn the bullet over and measure from tip to the backside ogive (does that part even have a name??). Total length - base to ogive, total length - tip to butt ogive, add the two differences together and subtract from overall length of bullet to get bearing surface

Edit: I'm assuming you only have one comparator.. If you have two, Guns' method below is easier and quicker

 

[gunsnjeeps]

Two comparators on a micrometer.