Hello,
does anyone know what a safe headspace measurement could be for the .338LM version? Can't find any SAAMI specs for this cartridge.
Bought some 1F LAPUA 338LM brass online and getting ready to handload. It's measuring at 2.327-2.328" (Hornady headspace gauge) and will not allow the bolt to close even when pushing forward on the bolt. I have been incrementally bumping the shoulder and can now chamber brass measuring 2.322" headspace. This still requires a light forward push of the bolt before it will turn down. I have tried bumping the shoulder as much as I can down to 2.315" and still the bolt won't close freely without forward push - like it does when no brass is being inserted into the chamber.
I hope I've explained this coherently enough that someone can offer me guidance.
Thanks.
It is a comparator. The measurements someone else gets with their calipers/body/insert can be different than what you measured even if you sent them the same piece of brass.
Ideally you'd make the comparison against brass that was fired in your rifle. Worst case use an unfired piece of brass or the modified case from the Hornady OAL tool to compare against what is the minimum and what has proper "feel" on bolt close for your re-sized sourced once-fired brass.
Calipers are cheap, I dedicate one for the comparator so the body stays in the same spot and my historical noted measurements have consistency for ME, they wouldn't be of use to you.