Stumped, need advice/education from our reloading gurus.....

[rb288]

So, I am loading 6.5 creedmoor for a Savage 110 tactical desert.
Specifically, the Hornady 140gr BTHP.
I am using the Hornady LNL comparator to measure the chamber.
Following the instructions, with a Hornady modified case, I push the bullet into the chamber until it first meets resistance, then stop.
Take it out and measure.
Using that method, I have been getting OAL readings of 2.5xx, consistently.
That has seemed "short" to me.
So, the next time, lightly, pushing the bullet just past that first resistance, it stops dead a little further.
The bullet will, sometimes, stick, so it is definitely into the lands.
The measurement of that OAL is 2.7xx, consistently.
When looking at the bullets, there are NO marks on it after the first resistence stop,
but, there are definite rifling mark's and scrapes on the second bullet, which verifies that it is into the lands.
Which is the "proper" measurement to go by to be just "touching the lands?
I'm talking around 1/4 inch difference.
The Hornady manual for that bullet has a "recommended" OAL of 2.800.
A cartridge loaded to 2.800 will chamber, but comes out with scrapes and rifling marks.
I asked Hornady Tech support, but, they were not much help.
Any thoughts and ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[traderjoe]

Load a dummy round and back it off 7 thousands from your 2.7xx measurement and see where that gets you

Sometimes I have to measure several times with the comparator to get my "touch" right

 

[indyjohn]

What I've read about the evolution of the 6.5 CM, in the early days chamber depths were all over the place. This created a lot of problems with factory load accuracy and function, as well as reloading

Joe's approach will help you move forward learning what your Savage ~actually~ measures. As for the round with an OAL of 2.800, did you measure how much closing the bolt shrinks it?

In my opinion, I wouldn't rule out the rifle needing some smithing work, or you building rounds that are strictly for that gun.

Edited for clarity.

 

[avboiler11]

Many many reports of Savage 6.5 Creedmoors having short throats; I had to send a 6.5 Creedmoor 10 Predator Hunter back for this exact issue. Savage doesn't seem to replace their reamers frequently enough...

You should be able to load the Hornady 140gr HPBT to 2.81" COAL in a 6.5 Creedmoor and not have any issues ejecting a live round or with pressure on fired rounds. If either situation exists, there's almost certainly an issue with the barrel.