Question about my OAL in the 308 WIn

[Magforce]

Guys,

I know that the OAL of a .308 winchester should be no more than 2.810 & no less than 2.490 but in my FN PBR 20" Barrel when I check it with my Hornady OAL Gauge it comes up 2.868.

My question is what is the problem?

 

[Jester8]

Re: Question about my OAL in the 308 WIn

Most factory platforms have a long throat, loadem up.

 

[desertHK]

Re: Question about my OAL in the 308 WIn

My Remy has 2.987", AIAW has a 2.920".

 

[ewoaf]

Re: Question about my OAL in the 308 WIn

your mag and/or rifling will determine your COAL.

 

[Magforce]

Re: Question about my OAL in the 308 WIn

What should I load them at ? Should I stay about .020 off the rifling? so if its 2.868 load them at 2.848?

Also I measured some factory loaded Federal Gold Metal and they are 2.806 that is one heck of a jump for a bullet to make up the difference to the rifling?

Just seems deep but if you guys do it and say its cool I'll do it up. I just got this rifle to full around with my M40A3 custom was like right on the money at 2.808 now I know why we spend the money for accuracy.

 

[ReaperDriver]

Re: Question about my OAL in the 308 WIn

The only way you'll know is to go shoot a good load with differing lengths. Longer is NOT always better, it totally depends on what your gun like and there are so many variables that there is no way to say that X length is better without shooting it.

For instance, I found a really good load my SPS-T 20" liked with both 175 SMK and 178 AMAX. By shooting the same load of each bullet but with varying lengths - I found it prefers the 175s at 2.815-2.820. I tried it all the way out to .288 (mag length for my DBM), but shorter was better. The SMKs preferred the longer jump. Otoh, the 178AMAXs shot better loaded long out to 2.865. You just have to experiement with what your rifle likes.

 

[Magforce]

Re: Question about my OAL in the 308 WIn

Thanks Reaper I'll go with that and start building a few loads for it.