I'm still new to reloading. I'm currently using the Lee Aniversary turret press kit with the RCBS competition die set. When loading 308 rounds I notice my OAL can vary drastically. Without adjusting the die my OAL can vary from 2.070 to 2.150. This is all while using the same powder charge (44.5 gr Varget). Lapua brass and 178 gr A-Max bullets. Any ideas?
Differences in OAL
- Thread starter beachhair234
- Start date
Re: Differences in OAL
Hmm, that's still a big difference, especially with a-max's..
As 'forcemultiplier' said above, you still need to measure off the ogive really for
A true meaningful figure.
Actually, that measurement sounds short, so I'm guessing you ARE measuring off the ogive already?
Are you crunching powder? Sometimes with low neck tension the powder can push the bullets back out a little..
Hmm, that's still a big difference, especially with a-max's..
As 'forcemultiplier' said above, you still need to measure off the ogive really for
A true meaningful figure.
Actually, that measurement sounds short, so I'm guessing you ARE measuring off the ogive already?
Are you crunching powder? Sometimes with low neck tension the powder can push the bullets back out a little..
Re: Differences in OAL
That's really short. I'm loading 175g smk's at 2.800. I'm using a lee single stage press with regular rcbs dyes and I'm only getting around .010 +/- difference in the oal on mine. I'm measuring to the tip of the bullet not the ogive
That's really short. I'm loading 175g smk's at 2.800. I'm using a lee single stage press with regular rcbs dyes and I'm only getting around .010 +/- difference in the oal on mine. I'm measuring to the tip of the bullet not the ogive
Re: Differences in OAL
"Without adjusting the die my OAL can vary from 2.070 to 2.150."
That's 80 thou. That's a LOT of OAL variation and/or ogive length variation, far too much to be the bullets. Unless you are stopping the press lever short of full throw or something is hanging up in that pretty but very expensive seater I can't imagine what would do that.
"Without adjusting the die my OAL can vary from 2.070 to 2.150."
That's 80 thou. That's a LOT of OAL variation and/or ogive length variation, far too much to be the bullets. Unless you are stopping the press lever short of full throw or something is hanging up in that pretty but very expensive seater I can't imagine what would do that.
Re: Differences in OAL
I load the 178 AMAX to an ogive of 2.21 which gives an OAL of 2.84. If you are loading to ogive then it sounds deep and with a decent load you will probably be experiencing the crunch mentioned above. I've found the 178 to be pretty consistent so wonder if your die is set up right, if you are measuring right or if you are indeed seating far too deep (which may have pressure implications so be careful).
I load the 178 AMAX to an ogive of 2.21 which gives an OAL of 2.84. If you are loading to ogive then it sounds deep and with a decent load you will probably be experiencing the crunch mentioned above. I've found the 178 to be pretty consistent so wonder if your die is set up right, if you are measuring right or if you are indeed seating far too deep (which may have pressure implications so be careful).
Re: Differences in OAL
I would expect that kind of variation from match bullets with a meplat but not necessarily from the A-Max. I once ask Sierra about the design length of the 6.5mm 123 gr SMK and they didn't know. Might look it up but I believe the design length of the 178 gr A-Max is 1.240". I would find a bullet that length and set the seating die with it then measure to the ogive for reference.
I would expect that kind of variation from match bullets with a meplat but not necessarily from the A-Max. I once ask Sierra about the design length of the 6.5mm 123 gr SMK and they didn't know. Might look it up but I believe the design length of the 178 gr A-Max is 1.240". I would find a bullet that length and set the seating die with it then measure to the ogive for reference.
