I have been using a Hornady COL tool along with a bullet comparator kit from Hornady to measure the length that kisses the lands. I have used this kit on 2 308 AR's, a DDm4v7, and a scar 17 with reasonably accurate usable info. For those who don't know what the Hornady COL tool is its a rod that holds a threaded dummy case in the respective caliber to be measured. You put a bullet in the case that is threaded onto the COL tool and insert the case with the bullet fully into the chamber and then you push on the middle rod that pushes the bullet into the lands till it stops. It has a small set screw to tighten the rod down so you can pull it out without worrying if you screwed up your measurement. It works well on all those above mentioned rifles. I can't get it to measure my chamber in my 6.5 Grendel very well due to several factors. The shorter 6.5Grendel brass makes it so without even pushing on the rod that moves the bullet foreword it is already to long.
So I want to learn some alternative ways to get the max COL of my guns chambers for a specified bullet NOT using my Hornady tool as it has not worked out well in this application. I am aware of just simply loading a bullet and using a marker on the bullet, chamber it, and then remove it paying attention to if it is difficult to remove and also examining the bullet for what I Would assume would be rifling marks or markings from the lands on the bullet. I have tried this and didn't get the results desired. I am not sure just what "markings" I would be looking for. I can guess at what I am looking for but I know that doesn't always pan in my favor.
I am looking for cost effective ways to achieve this, or if you have some good advice I am all ears.
So I want to learn some alternative ways to get the max COL of my guns chambers for a specified bullet NOT using my Hornady tool as it has not worked out well in this application. I am aware of just simply loading a bullet and using a marker on the bullet, chamber it, and then remove it paying attention to if it is difficult to remove and also examining the bullet for what I Would assume would be rifling marks or markings from the lands on the bullet. I have tried this and didn't get the results desired. I am not sure just what "markings" I would be looking for. I can guess at what I am looking for but I know that doesn't always pan in my favor.
I am looking for cost effective ways to achieve this, or if you have some good advice I am all ears.
