OAL/bullet seating question

[Evoar]

So first of all, here is my set-up: Rem 700 SPS Varmint .308 sitting in a B&C A5 with a rifle basix trigger set at around 6-8 oz. I know it isn't the best super accurate gun, but it probably shoots better than me and this is my first go at this discipline of shooting. I have about 100 rounds through it. I am averaging .75 moa at 100 yards and a little better at the 300 yard range. I want to try a couple bullets/charges now that I have some brass fire formed.

I bought a Hornady OAL gauge and pushed a pill in (168 Hornady BTHP.) When I measured it, the OAL was 2.947". That seems really long to me. The listed max OAL is 2.800". I never knew the throats of these factory barrels were so long! I don't understand how I am able to shoot the groups I do. Anyway, back to my question...other than clearing the magazine(I plan to shoot single shot) am I going to have problems seating that far out? There is only about .14" of the bullet touching the case when it is seated due to the boat tail. Is that enough if I crimp?

Question #2...I would like to try the Berger VLD too. I have heard good things. The boat tail appears to be shorter and the ogive seems steeper on the Berger. Maybe it will seat further in the case while still touching the riflings. The only bullets I have shot so far is the 168 gr. It seems to be the standard with the .308. According to Berger's website, they recommend either a 185 or 190 gr. bullet for a 1:12 twist barrel. That seems a bit heavy for the .308. Do you think a 185 or 190 will shoot well? They will probably allow for longer seating lengths and still leave enough bullet back in the case.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: OAL/bullet seating question

Some will say that a bullet's caliber is the minimum distance that you need to have inserted into the neck, so a .308 bullet would need to be seated .308" of an inch, into the neck.

This being said, Remingtons have long throats/leades.

2.800 is the standard that factory ammo is loaded to, to be on the safe side, but you can obviously seat longer.

.015"-.030" is a good place to start, off the lands. If you're going to single seat them, play with going longer. VLD bullets like to be jammed into the lands, some of the other bullet brands can be jumped a bit.

Chris

 

[vman]

Re: OAL/bullet seating question

Evoar,

Remingtons can have long throats... My 700P with Berger VLD 185's sits with a long COAL close to 3"... Im waiting on my caliper to return to my place so i cant give you an accurate measurement as of yet.

If your planning on single loading each round then you need not worry too much about the seating depth creating rounds too big for mag length.

In saying that, I would recomend the Berger VLD's. They can be difficult to get shooting right, but once you have found their seating depth "sweet spot" you should be right.

Here is a link to an article that you should read if you plan on shooting VLD bullets.

http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com/2009/03/14/berger-tips-for-loading-vld-bullets/

Theres an article within that link that will forward you to an actuall Berger article. Read it as it is very informative on how to get your rifle shooting VLD's.

Also, with the Hornady rounds (Amax i take it), I dont think they are as fussy in regards to being seated close to the lands. I have loaded 155 Hornady Amax's to factory spec lengths and have gotten 0.4 MOA groups at 100m.

 

[TimK]

Re: OAL/bullet seating question

I have the same gun, my chamber measures 2.955" I figure there is no way I can get close enough to the lands to matter, so I don't try. My COAL is 2.810 with 168g SMK's. I fooled around with charge weight and found one that delivers 1/2 MOA groups at 200. For me, that was good enough. If you try seating out farther, I'll be very interested in hearing your results. I single feed every round, so mag length isn't an issue for me either.

I know the rule about seating a minimum of one bullet diameter, but I can't seem to find and answer if that includes the chamfer on the boat tail or not.

 

[caustic]

Re: OAL/bullet seating question

check out this thread
/www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=149198&Number=1636017#Post1636017

 

[caustic]

Re: OAL/bullet seating question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tim K</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I can't seem to find and answer if that includes the chamfer on the boat tail or not. </div></div>

the rule of thumb is for the bearing surface only so the 1 diameter in case does <span style="font-weight: bold">not</span> include the boat tail

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: OAL/bullet seating question

My remmy has 155 scenars touching the lands at 2.963, so I load the long range stuff to 2.948. Its not a magazine-length load, but it does shoot.

 

[TimK]

Re: OAL/bullet seating question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: caustic</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tim K</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I can't seem to find and answer if that includes the chamfer on the boat tail or not. </div></div>

the rule of thumb is for the bearing surface only so the 1 diameter in case does <span style="font-weight: bold">not</span> include the boat tail</div></div>

Thanks!

 

[Ma_bell]

Re: OAL/bullet seating question

Okay,I have a question. I'm an avid shooter an just getting started in reloading. I have a Savage 10FLCP-K chambered in .308 with a 1 in 10 twist. I'm trying to determine OAL using a marker and coloring the bullet. I have a fired, unsized case trimmed to 2.005. When I chamber a round in the case (either a hornady A-max or nosler Accu-Bond) the OAL I get is in the 2.88-2.91 range. Way over the SAAMI max of 2.81. Now, I realize that i'm measuring to to the bullet tip, not the ogive. I realize this isn't the most accurate method, however fitting in the magazine is not an issue. My magazine has enough clearance for more than 2.95. It seems like if I took these measurements (I lan on seating about .010 off the lands) the round would barely be seated in the case. What am I doing wrong? Advice?

 

[caustic]

Re: OAL/bullet seating question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ma Bell</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Okay,I have a question. I'm an avid shooter an just getting started in reloading. I have a Savage 10FLCP-K chambered in .308 with a 1 in 10 twist. I'm trying to determine OAL using a marker and coloring the bullet. I have a fired, unsized case trimmed to 2.005. When I chamber a round in the case (either a hornady A-max or nosler Accu-Bond) the OAL I get is in the 2.88-2.91 range. Way over the SAAMI max of 2.81. Now, I realize that i'm measuring to to the bullet tip, not the ogive. I realize this isn't the most accurate method, however fitting in the magazine is not an issue. My magazine has enough clearance for more than 2.95. It seems like if I took these measurements (I lan on seating about .010 off the lands) the round would barely be seated in the case. What am I doing wrong? Advice? </div></div>

If you do not have enough bearing surface in the case you may not be able to seat just off the lands, see the thread I pasted above for more info in minimum bullet seating depth and problems you may have chasing the lands.