Wheeler Method For Finding Lands

Rlandry

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 16, 2019
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For you guys using this, does it have to be done with a case that has been fireformed and sized for proper headspace or does it just have to allow the bolt to close?
 
For you guys using this, does it have to be done with a case that has been fireformed and sized for proper headspace or does it just have to allow the bolt to close?

I would think full length resized, so that the case itself introduces no drag/resistance to the bolt closure. If the case does introduce resistance, it would make it that much harder to feel the ogive hitting the lands.
 
Most here with a bolt gun size down headspace 1 to 2 thou.
That’s how the chamber is going to be encountering the bullet anyway, with a sized case.

That couple thousands isn’t major deal but you certainly don’t want a tight neck sized case making the feeling of the lands impossible.
 
I did but it did not address my particular question, hence I'm asking here, but thanks for your response.
Doesn’t matter. You just want the bolt to fall freely on the chambered empty case no matter the situation. The bolt falls freely on my .002 sized cases the same as they do on virgin as they do on .010 sized cases. Once it falls free that’s all there is to it.

It will self align well enough and then the only change in pressure will be that bullet if its pushing forward far enough to touch. You might not feel or see it fall freely if it’s dragging on the side or something but you can still feel when the bullet contacts.

Do one way long and do one way short and you can tell the difference. Then start working the long one down.
To speed it up instead of starting in .001 increments I usually do one bullet deeper in .010 steps to quickly find the rough area. Then I will work another bullet down in .003 steps from that area and then I’ll narrow down on a third bullet to hone in. Fourth and fifth if it makes you feel more confident. They can all get pushed back to the actual target seating depth so testing the distance with many samples your first time won’t waste anything or require you to pull bullets.
 
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