I know on Dan Newberry's OCW site he states that he loads to book specs. However, I have noticed that a lot of bullets seem to like to be loaded as close as they can be to the lands. I am loading 140gr Barnes tsx in a stock remington 700 270 and 178 gr Amax for a Rem 700 308. It seems that if these bullets like to be loaded long, then I might as well skip a step and just load as long as I can unless accuracy is an issue once on the range. Also (disclaimer I am not a physics major) the longer you load a round= the less bullet contact in the neck. So does this mean I may get higher pressures sooner (at lower charges) then I would if I were to load them short? Will I get slightly higher velocities if I load the same charge shot vs long? Thoughts, advice?
OCW and loading to mag length
- Thread starter mzvarner
- Start date
I just completed this step yesterday in the OCW process. Newberry suggests modifying OAL by .010" increments once the OCW is determined. This is essentially fine tuning the pressure/velocity. I made 6 sets of loads with the bullet seated at original length, 1 set + .010", and 4 sets progressively .010" shorter. My groups went from 1.625" (original) to .375" (.020" under).
I'm shooting an old Rem 700 Varmint in .308. This rifle has .070" jump to the lands with a 175SMK loaded at magazine length.
I'm shooting an old Rem 700 Varmint in .308. This rifle has .070" jump to the lands with a 175SMK loaded at magazine length.
Don't load close to the lands with the TSX. U will splode your gun. Solid copper or gliding metal bullets do not engrave easily and cause pressure spikes. Jump them .125" or so.
The Amax has no problem jumping from 2.800". But if you want to load it longer go ahead. It has plenty of shank for that. Just understand that the OCW is different for each and every OAL. I have found that in the 308, each .010" of OAL is worth roughly .1grs of powder once you are on the node.
The Amax has no problem jumping from 2.800". But if you want to load it longer go ahead. It has plenty of shank for that. Just understand that the OCW is different for each and every OAL. I have found that in the 308, each .010" of OAL is worth roughly .1grs of powder once you are on the node.
