Loading for my 7mm-08. I usually use my stoney point for finding the lands. But i loaned it out to another new reloader. So in a hurry to load some shells, I find this gun has a nice short throat. I tried the SAAMI COL of 2.8" but it won't chamber so I haven't done the split case method in years and years, so I figure why not. I was shocked to find it much more consistent than I did before. I measured three bullets with a sized case I modified with a dremel and measured 2.748 for bullet 1, 2.7445" for bullet 2 and 2.748" for bullet 3. i did it three times for each bullet. All bullets were 140gr gamekings.

I figure if I load to 2.740" I should be safe from pressure spikes. But thinking 2.735" would be safe. How much more do you set your bullet back when using this method. No I didn't do the felt tip pen. I have tried that too many times with wrong results. Boy I miss my stoney. I am concerned cause I know this is like me jamming the bullet into the rifling with my stoney which if I remember can be .01" more than if I was barely touching.