Question about OAL

[SnkBit]

I've been loading for my .308 Remington to a OAL of 2.850 because thats the max that would fit in the mag well. I checked to see where the lands were yesterday just out of curiosity and found them to be at a OAL of 3.002 for my particular bullet. I still have some basic fundamentals to work on as far as the shooter is concerned but I'm looking to rule out any extra variables. Will loading this cartridge to the lands or slightly stuffed increase the consistency and accuracy of the round? I know that I need to play with the OAL and find what the rifle really likes but right now I'm concentrating on shooting the rifle correctly and just want to keep things as simple as possible until I am consistent on my end.

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: Question about OAL

OK, we don't know any of the particulars about your load, and in particular the actual bullet.

With my Remmy, and Lapua 155 Scenars, My 308 load will touch the lands at 2.963.

You may be using a bullet that is slightly shorter (155 SMK <2155>) and have almost the exact same throat length.

I have one benchrest (short range) load with these bullets that uses 2.820 as OAL and a downlaoded charge that shoots light out. I have another long range laod that runs 2.948 and is a tad shorter, but much faster.

So, it depends on the bullet, the load, your reloading skills, and a host of other things.

 

[SnkBit]

Re: Question about OAL

using Nosler 168gr BT right now. Going to make the switch to 175smk's when I run out of the Noslers I have in stock.

 

[sinister]

Re: Question about OAL

Commercial factory throats are typically long for liability reasons.

Manufacturers assume some jackass will stuff a round-nose 220 into a rifle meant to shoot match and VLD bullets, jacking up pressures to dangerous levels. Leaving lots of free-bore jump (space where the bullet goes straight towards the muzzle before touching rifling leades and beginning spin engraving) ensures pressures won't spike, but does nothing for accuracy when the bullets eventually hit the lands...bullets can upset infinitesimally and begin around the true-axis wobble, increasing group size.

You may eventually get enlarged groups whether it's from a long throat or from throat wear.

 

[SnkBit]

Re: Question about OAL

I understand what freebore is and why it is. What I'm wanting to know is, is it worth having to feed each round by hand in order to jam the bullet into the rifling? I'm trying to work on my shooting technique at the moment but have to wonder if the .152" jump is negatively affecting my results.

 

[bm11]

Re: Question about OAL

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SnkBit</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I understand what freebore is and why it is. What I'm wanting to know is, is it worth having to feed each round by hand in order to jam the bullet into the rifling? I'm trying to work on my shooting technique at the moment but have to wonder if the .152" jump is negatively affecting my results. </div></div>Well, what type of results are you getting now?

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Question about OAL

"Will loading this cartridge to the lands or slightly stuffed increase the consistency and accuracy of the round?"

Anyone claiming to be able to answer questions like that will lie to you about other stuff too.

 

[SnkBit]

Re: Question about OAL

Right now I'm struggling to get groups under 1moa @ 100 yds. A lot of this can probably be attributed to my mistakes as the shooter though. I tend to get two separate groups in every 5 shot grouping, like two together and the other three together or two, two and one. I really just want to make the load as consistent as possible while I work on my shooting skills, I can come back later and improve the load. So basically, will the bullet being stuffed into the lands give me a more consistent result each shot vs the jump or is it just a wash as long as all the loads in each group are the same?