168 AMAX Seated Too Deep?

beartooth91 · 12-22-2012, 07:49 PM

I think my technique needs a bit of polishing....

I just went down and rechecked my measurements. Upon meeting the initial resistance; this time, I pushed a little more firmly on and wiggled the L-n-L gauge rod. Sure enough, there was give and the bullet pushed a ways further into the barrel. I repeated this about a dozen times with two 168 AMAX's, getting repeatable (and more reasonable) measurements of 3.666" - 3.668" with the comparator. That's about .109" difference! Another dummy round, seated .020" back, yielded an OAL of 3.262" (without the comparator) and over the Lee manual's min OAL of 3.230". After chambering the dummy, a few times, I remeasured it to verify no movement from lands contact seating the bullet deeper. The top of the boattail is just above the neck/shoulder junction and the bottom of the boattail is slightly below midway of the shoulder. It still looks a touch short (to me), but, 100x better than this morning.
I can go ahead and load some up.
While I'm guessing the best method of using these L-n-L gauges is the one that gives repeatable measurements; does anyone have a pet, tried and true way of using these?

Thanks

KRP · 12-22-2012, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by beartooth91

While I'm guessing the best method of using these L-n-L gauges is the one that gives repeatable measurements; does anyone have a pet, tried and true way of using these?

Thanks

I built a gauge using the same principle as the Hornady, I'm still not sure about it. You have to get the feel of it through use. A little wiggle/twist/push to make sure the case is seated in the chamber and then wishing you had three hands to hold the tube and rod, and tighten the set screw at the same time. At least half the time I still use the tried and true method of deforming the neck on a fired case then seating a bullet long and chambering it. Regardless of numbers in the book, work up to your loads as usual and shoot what works the best.