Issues finding the lands and differences between 2 bullet manufacturers

[7mmfan]

I'm working up a new load for my 7mm-08 so I figured while I was at it, I would play with my 7 mag load as well. I wanted to check my lands depth and the 7mm-08 with Hornaday interbonds went well.

When I went do the same with my 7 mag, the Hornady Interbonds would barely fit into a fired case. When I got them in, I consistently got a lands measurement that was far to long for the round, wouldn't fit in the magazine, etc... When I tried the Nosler Accubonds however, they slipped right into the case like they're supposed to, but have continued to give me extemely long lands measurements.

Anyone experienced this before? Would using the Hornady bullets effect my accuracy being that they are crimped so tightly into the cartridge? Also, with the overly long lands measurements, are you defaulting to the manual's OAL?

[JimmyHoffa]

Did you mic the diameter of the two different bullets?  In industry things fall in tolerance, maybe the hornady was high in their range and the nosler at or low in theirs?

[jay.sharkbait]

How much has the 7 mag been shot?

[7mmfan]

I was getting ready to go to my grandparents to do the reloading, so I don't have any calibers here.

The gun has had for sure 500 rounds, probably closer to 700 through it.

New problem though. Just got a bullet stuck in the barrel and a gentle tap with the cleaning rod wouldn't move it. I tried a stiffer dowel from the front but I'm afraid all i accomplished was mushrooming the bullet some (its an Interbond). I tried a cleaning rod from the chamber, wrapped in duct tape to protect the barrel, but all I accomplished there was bending my cleaning rod.

Any advice here guys?

[7mmfan]

Leave it to grandpa to get the bullet out. Back to finding the lands now.

[rudysts]

I have been using this method and IMO it is the the most consistent

http://www.wheeleraccuracy.com/videos
Finding your lands.
you may also want to watch the stripping your bolt video.

[7mmfan]

I like that method, it makes sense. There is still definitely a "feel" to it, but if done precisely in the very small increments, I can see that working well. Thanks for the tip.

In his video "sizing brass" he talks about how he sizes his brass .200 shorter than a "perfectly fit" brass. He wants the bullet to center itself in the throat with no influence from the brass. By sizing it .200 shorter, does he mean he is trimming the case shorter? I feel that thats the obvious answer but I want to be sure.

[rudysts]

He talks about bumping the shoulder back 2 thousandth (.002) he goes on to say he prefers .002 more so it seems that he bumps the shoulder .004 so the bolt closes with gravity. I usually just bump the shoulder .002.