I've been trying to load 162 A-Maxs for my 7/08. I can't get the same overall length. I'm getting a range off.020 over 5 rounds. I used 2 different seating dies, measured every case but no change. I loaded 2 other bullet types and they were spot on with the same dies. I have never loaded bullets as long as the A-Max so Im thinking there is something I'm missing. Any suggestion or guesses what's going on here?
Need help: I can't get the same COAL!!
- Thread starter spotshot
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Re: Need help: I can't get the same COAL!!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: scissorhands</div><div class="ubbcode-body">measure to the ogive. the tips are always off. </div></div>
Yes.
Get a comparator attachment for your calipers from Sinclair and start measuring to the ogive of the bullet.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: scissorhands</div><div class="ubbcode-body">measure to the ogive. the tips are always off. </div></div>
Yes.
Get a comparator attachment for your calipers from Sinclair and start measuring to the ogive of the bullet.
Re: Need help: I can't get the same COAL!!
Yeah, the amax tips are not always the same. Although I don't normally see a .020" change. Most of the time it's less than .010". On these bullets you would be better off measuring to ogive.
What I do with my 178gr amax is shoot for my OAL to be between 2.80" and 2.81". That's close enough for me.
Yeah, the amax tips are not always the same. Although I don't normally see a .020" change. Most of the time it's less than .010". On these bullets you would be better off measuring to ogive.
What I do with my 178gr amax is shoot for my OAL to be between 2.80" and 2.81". That's close enough for me.
Re: Need help: I can't get the same COAL!!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: spotshot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks Guys. I was worried about the range. I'll get a comparator for sure. Looks like I need to study a little more. I wasted a whole day trying to solve the problem. I should ask on here sooner.</div></div>
while you are at it get the headspace guage too. that way you can measure the shoulder of the cases.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: spotshot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks Guys. I was worried about the range. I'll get a comparator for sure. Looks like I need to study a little more. I wasted a whole day trying to solve the problem. I should ask on here sooner.</div></div>
while you are at it get the headspace guage too. that way you can measure the shoulder of the cases.
Re: Need help: I can't get the same COAL!!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: scissorhands</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: spotshot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks Guys. I was worried about the range. I'll get a comparator for sure. Looks like I need to study a little more. I wasted a whole day trying to solve the problem. I should ask on here sooner.</div></div>
while you are at it get the headspace guage too. that way you can measure the shoulder of the cases. </div></div>
Yes.
You will also see them called "bump gauges".
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: scissorhands</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: spotshot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks Guys. I was worried about the range. I'll get a comparator for sure. Looks like I need to study a little more. I wasted a whole day trying to solve the problem. I should ask on here sooner.</div></div>
while you are at it get the headspace guage too. that way you can measure the shoulder of the cases. </div></div>
Yes.
You will also see them called "bump gauges".
M
milo 2.0
Guest
Re: Need help: I can't get the same COAL!!
I hate to disagree with the info you're getting. The comparator is a good idea. Polymer tipped bullets shouldn't be that far off, measure a few with your caliper and find out.
I think the seater stem in your dies is causing the problem. Some bottom out in it, others don't, giving the varience.
Not sure what brand dies you're using, but Redding sells a vld seater stem, sometimes you have to buy it.
I just measured some 162 amax's, 7mm, there was ".006" diff, right in line with what Berger's are. A far cry from ".020", and within range of accurate ammo.
I hate to disagree with the info you're getting. The comparator is a good idea. Polymer tipped bullets shouldn't be that far off, measure a few with your caliper and find out.
I think the seater stem in your dies is causing the problem. Some bottom out in it, others don't, giving the varience.
Not sure what brand dies you're using, but Redding sells a vld seater stem, sometimes you have to buy it.
I just measured some 162 amax's, 7mm, there was ".006" diff, right in line with what Berger's are. A far cry from ".020", and within range of accurate ammo.
Re: Need help: I can't get the same COAL!!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: milo-2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I hate to disagree with the info you're getting. The comparator is a good idea. Polymer tipped bullets shouldn't be that far off, measure a few with your caliper and find out.
I think the seater stem in your dies is causing the problem. Some bottom out in it, others don't, giving the varience.
Not sure what brand dies you're using, but Redding sells a vld seater stem, sometimes you have to buy it.
I just measured some 162 amax's, 7mm, there was ".006" diff, right in line with what Berger's are. A far cry from ".020", and within range of accurate ammo.</div></div>
I agree with milo. .20.... Jeez. Are you loading the same bullet lot or did you get em mixed up...? Ain't ever seen that much with the amax. Got to be the die or a fucked up lot
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: milo-2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I hate to disagree with the info you're getting. The comparator is a good idea. Polymer tipped bullets shouldn't be that far off, measure a few with your caliper and find out.
I think the seater stem in your dies is causing the problem. Some bottom out in it, others don't, giving the varience.
Not sure what brand dies you're using, but Redding sells a vld seater stem, sometimes you have to buy it.
I just measured some 162 amax's, 7mm, there was ".006" diff, right in line with what Berger's are. A far cry from ".020", and within range of accurate ammo.</div></div>
I agree with milo. .20.... Jeez. Are you loading the same bullet lot or did you get em mixed up...? Ain't ever seen that much with the amax. Got to be the die or a fucked up lot
Re: Need help: I can't get the same COAL!!
Is it a compressed load. Ive ran into this before with compressed loads pushing the bullet back up some.
Is it a compressed load. Ive ran into this before with compressed loads pushing the bullet back up some.
Re: Need help: I can't get the same COAL!!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TRAAV</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is it a compressed load. Ive ran into this before with compressed loads pushing the bullet back up some.</div></div> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TRAAV</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is it a compressed load. Ive ran into this before with compressed loads pushing the bullet back up some.</div></div>
No it's not a compressed load. I used a RCBS die and a Lee I had never used before . It came with the neck size die. I ran the loads through both dies to see if it would change what the other due seated. It didn't make a difference. Guess I'll start again and see what I can figure out .
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TRAAV</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is it a compressed load. Ive ran into this before with compressed loads pushing the bullet back up some.</div></div> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TRAAV</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is it a compressed load. Ive ran into this before with compressed loads pushing the bullet back up some.</div></div>
No it's not a compressed load. I used a RCBS die and a Lee I had never used before . It came with the neck size die. I ran the loads through both dies to see if it would change what the other due seated. It didn't make a difference. Guess I'll start again and see what I can figure out .
Re: Need help: I can't get the same COAL!!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: milo-2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I think the seater stem in your dies is causing the problem. Some bottom out in it, others don't, giving the varience.
Not sure what brand dies you're using, but Redding sells a vld seater stem, sometimes you have to buy it.
</div></div>
Yeah, that too.
I loaded A-Max for a .223 AI and a .243 AI. Both sets of dies were Redding, and I had to change the seater plugs in both dies.
I sold both rifles and die sets a while back. I had forgotten about the seater plugs.
Getting old sucks.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: milo-2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I think the seater stem in your dies is causing the problem. Some bottom out in it, others don't, giving the varience.
Not sure what brand dies you're using, but Redding sells a vld seater stem, sometimes you have to buy it.
</div></div>
Yeah, that too.
I loaded A-Max for a .223 AI and a .243 AI. Both sets of dies were Redding, and I had to change the seater plugs in both dies.
I sold both rifles and die sets a while back. I had forgotten about the seater plugs.
Getting old sucks.
Re: Need help: I can't get the same COAL!!
Don't know how you are processing your brass. May make a difference. Try this procedure: Clean the cases and brush the inside of the necks to remove firing residue. Full length size to fit your chamber with a neck tension on bullet to be close to .003". Trim to length. Chamfer inside and outside (use a VLD chamfer tool). Polish the insides of your necks with 0000 steel wool wound up on a bronze bore brush spun by a drill motor...let it "wad up" a bit at the end so that it polishes the inside of the mouth also. (You'll only need to do this once, if you take time to brush the neck after each firing) Lube the inside of the case neck with a dry lube...graphite in alcohol or HxBN in alcohol. Use a Q-Tip. Seat the bullet in two stages...Half way in, then turn the case 180 degrees or so and seat all the way. Leave the case and bullet in the die with the handle down for 20 seconds or so. Do this for 10 loads, and measure them with the collimator attachment. Average them out. Let us know what you find then.
Don't know how you are processing your brass. May make a difference. Try this procedure: Clean the cases and brush the inside of the necks to remove firing residue. Full length size to fit your chamber with a neck tension on bullet to be close to .003". Trim to length. Chamfer inside and outside (use a VLD chamfer tool). Polish the insides of your necks with 0000 steel wool wound up on a bronze bore brush spun by a drill motor...let it "wad up" a bit at the end so that it polishes the inside of the mouth also. (You'll only need to do this once, if you take time to brush the neck after each firing) Lube the inside of the case neck with a dry lube...graphite in alcohol or HxBN in alcohol. Use a Q-Tip. Seat the bullet in two stages...Half way in, then turn the case 180 degrees or so and seat all the way. Leave the case and bullet in the die with the handle down for 20 seconds or so. Do this for 10 loads, and measure them with the collimator attachment. Average them out. Let us know what you find then.
Re: Need help: I can't get the same COAL!!
Hornady sells special seater stems for their AMAX bullets and their New Dimension dies:
http://www.midwayusa.com/find?userSearchQuery=amax+stem
I use them for my .223 and .308 loads and they work well.
Hornady sells special seater stems for their AMAX bullets and their New Dimension dies:
http://www.midwayusa.com/find?userSearchQuery=amax+stem
I use them for my .223 and .308 loads and they work well.
