Tell me if this sounds right.. Ogive/OAL and other

[Tactical30]

I have reloaded ammunition for the .223Rem, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, 45 ACP and 50AE. These were all Gas Guns and Pistols.

This is my first time reloading for bolt gun using the Hornady OAL tool and Hornady Bullet Comparator set and seating to measure off the lands.

I first used the Hornady OAL Tool in my Action (Blueprinted Rem700 L/A) and found the Ogive measurement (using 190gr. SMK's; measured 5-7 bullets to get an avg.) it measured 2.925".

I then went ahead threw some powder and seated my bullets to 3.485" OAL and the Ogive measurement was 2.910".

So this means I seated .015" off the lands correct?

I chambered some random rounds I loaded and they all chambered and ejected flawless.

This question might sound stupid to some of you guys but I just want to make sure im doing this correctly. I dont think there are any dumb questions when it comes to reloading ammunition.

Also any help or tips you could give me for reloading for this rifle would be greatly appreciated.

I was kinda surprised that the AI mags (Badger M5 Bottom metal) had a rough mag length of around 3.550" so you could seat bullets out far and not have to worry about the mag length, maybe im just used to the AR-15 mags and 2.260" being my limit since that is what I was used to loading.

I recently had my first precision rifle built completed and returned from Warner Tool Co. and I want to reload my ammunition as consistant as possible.Warner Tool built me a beautiful rifle!

<span style="text-decoration: underline">The Load data I used was:</span> (Powder Testing)

190gr. Sierra Matchking
Winchester (new) Brass (Trim to 2.610")
Federal 215M Primer
OAL- 3.485" ; @ Ogive 2.910"
RL-22
70.5 gr.
71.0 gr.
71.5 gr.
72.0 gr.
72.5 gr.

I will be trying the Berger 210gr. VLD's, 190gr. SMK's, 200gr. SMK's, 220gr. SMK's and the 208gr. A-MAX's whenever they come back around.

The only part I F-up was buying a non-bushing die set but I just put my order into Midway USA for a Redding Type S Bushing die set w/ bushings so I should be all set. Is there that much of a difference between the titanium bushings and the regular ones?

I have just recieved my build back from Warner Tool Co.
Here are the Specs: (<span style="font-style: italic">I will post some pics when I get around to taking them..sorry)</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold">.300 Winchester Magnum</span>
Blueprinted Rem700 L/A
Pillar Bedded
McMillan A-5 Stock Adj. Cheekpice Desert Camo
Bartlien Barrel @ 26" Length #7 MTU Contour 1-10 Twist
Badger Ordnance FTE Muzzle Brake
Badger Ordnance M5 Bottom Metal w/ AI Mags
Badger Ordnance 20MOA Scope rail
Surgeon KMW Bolt Knob
Cg Jackson mod 22 Trigger
Warner Tool Recoil Lug
AccuShot Atlas Bipod
Accushot 3.5" Bipod Rail
Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x50 NP-R1 Reticle
Badger Ordnance USMC DMR Rings
Birdsong Coated all metal parts in Tan-T
Tucked away in Pelican 1750
18lbs w/ loaded mag.
Will be used for long distance target shooting only

Anyhow, my main question was about the ogive measurement and seating off the lands (as stated above)

Thanks
LR30

 

[gcoulsey]

Re: Tell me if this sounds right.. Ogive/OAL and other

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So this means I seated .015" off the lands correct?</div></div>

Correct

Remember to re-check this measurement everytime you open a fresh box
of bullets!

 

[Wannashootit]

Re: Tell me if this sounds right.. Ogive/OAL and other

It's a great setup.

I just started doing this on our .223/700. I loaded 3 different bullet types to lightly touch the rifling, along with 3 loads each gradually working up to near max. We had no issues with any of them, and accuracy was very good with most, but we've weeded out a few (which is the whole point, right?).

From what I've read, I'm now going to begin backing them off .005 at a time, to see if anything tightens up- or if touching the rifling is the best way to go. So many variables...

 

[Tactical30]

Re: Tell me if this sounds right.. Ogive/OAL and other

Yeah, I will be slowly (.005" at a time) moving them forward to see how much better they shoot.

 

[doc76251]

Re: Tell me if this sounds right.. Ogive/OAL and other

The first thing I would do is to record and forget your OAL measurements. The ogive length with AI mags is the final measurement you need. SMK's (and AMAX's) as a general rule are very "jump" tolerant. Start your load development at 0.015" off the lands and find a powder charge that works well, then tweak the seating length.

You may find it useful to load the boolets long (about 0.015" or so) for the initial seating of a batch and call that "zero". From there with your comparator in hand you will be able to dial to the exact seating you need for each round. This will ensure that each round jumps exactly the same. You may find (even in the same box of boolets) that the ogive may vary as much as 0.010" between boolets.

When you find a round (or bunch of rounds) that are MOA or less at 100 yards check the accuracy at 300 yards or so. Some rounds are not as accurate at 100 as they are further down range, it's called letting the boolet "go to sleep". A chronograph will also tell you when you are near the sweet spot as the ES's will drop to the low teens.

Cheers,

Doc

 

[Tactical30]

Re: Tell me if this sounds right.. Ogive/OAL and other

Thanks for the good info.