.257 weatherby ** OAL ** ??

[Machinist]

I use a Hornady lock and load measureing tool and bullett comparator to set the OAL bullet length for my rifles, i recently purchased a modified case for my .257 weatherby , I used it this morning as usual to measure the .257 when i set the gauge and pulled it out there is only .060 " left to seat the bullett so the bullett would be way too long and not seated properly according to the gauge , i know weatherby has a free bore to the rifling and thats why i am getting the gauge setting with the bullett way out there . has anyone dealt with this ?? how do you compensate for the free bore ?? I have reloaded a lot of rounds for my .257 just useing the recommended length from the nozzler and barnes manual then seating them as long as possible so they function properly in the magazine . any help waould be appreciated.

 

[bunny]

I load the 120 Hornady to a c.o.l. of 3.320 in my .257, lots of free bore but I don't mind with 68.0 grains of IMR 7828 at 3300 fps I quite often get 1.75" groups at the 300 meter range at Mission Rod and Gun. It seems alot of Weatherby's shoot very well even with alot of freebore.

 

[H4831]

It sure was simple reloading when the loading charts didn't say anything about COL. You just seated the bullets to what looked reasonable. If the bolt would close and they would work through the magazine, you were good to go. If either of the above happened, you just adjusted the seating die.
The loading charts of that time did not distinguish between bullet types, or brands, either. Just the weight of the bullet was given.
And a primer was a primer, not even mentioned in most loading charts.
Wow, we had it good. And please, don't someone tell me that guns were blown up, because of such things, because they were not.

 

[.284]

You don`t need to compensate for the free bore. Just like you measured, you wont beable to seat the bullet out to touch the lands. You can play with your seating depths until you`re happy with your accuracy. The further out the bullet is seated the higher your pressure will be though so just keep that in mind if your working up to max loads.

 

[marcoman]

It has been my experience in loading for Weatherby's that COL has less impact on accuracy than the components used to assemble the load.
What I mean is, seat the bullets out as far as will reliably function in the magazine and be content with that. It will eliminate one of many variables,
allowing you to concentrate on powders,charge weights, bullets etc.

I own 6 Wby. Mk V's from .240 to .378 and have developed very satisfactory loads seating bullets in this manner.