Hornady L-N-L OAL guage -- what am I screwing up?

[Dmagna]

Use a cleaning rod down the bore to seat and reseat the bullet against the lands. Pushing the bullet at the same time from the tool. It's an easy way to make sure you are just kissing the lands. There is a video on YouTube on how to do it.

 

[aushunter1]

are you using one of their generic dummy cartridges or did you send them one fired out of your rifle?

Yep, while the Hornady modified case is ok for the best possible result you should modify a twice fire formed case fired from your rifle.
Also If your using the curved version of the gauge you must either have a semi auto or a leave action?