First time reloader question

S

Slippery_Pete

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Hello,

I have a Rem 700 5R stainless in .308 Win. I used the cheap method of determining my COAL by using a Dremel tool to cut slits in a fire-formed case neck and seated a bullet (168 gn Hornaday Match) inside the neck by hand. I then chambered the case/bullet gently, pulled it out and measured the COAL (base of case to tip of bullet) that corresponds to the bullet just touching the lands. I repeated 10 times to get an average COAL of 2.938". I know that this is only valid for this particular bullet and that I'd have to do this again for different weights/shapes.

So, I reloaded my first 20 rounds and measured their average COAL to be 2.907" so that the bullets should be seated about 0.03" off the lands. I intend to use the 20 rounds for a ladder test, so I started 10% below the maximum (46 gr) and added 0.2 gr for each subsequent round.

I'm basically looking for comments on my method specifically with regards to the COAL that I'm using (seems longish, but I'm going for precision, not worried about fitting these rounds in my magazine for hunting). Once I arrive at a charge that works well, then I'll start to vary the distance from ogive to lands.

Thanks
 
I'm just a bit unclear as to how many of each round you are loading. You should have at least 3 of each powder charge so you can see how they group. I have loaded only one of each charge when going for a hunting load. Otherwise it is the same method I use. Not that I'm an expert by any means.

I usually load 4 of each powder charge and work my way up by .5 grains. If I find one to be accurate I will then load in smaller increments around that particular charge to see if I can improve on it. I also seat them a little closer to the lands. Like about .01 to .005.

G
 
You're on the the right track. But once you've found the COAL to touch the lands, take that bullet and create a dummy cartridge .02" shorter than the COAL you just measured. Crimp it. Verify it's still the same length. You now have a dummy round you can use to set your bullet seating die for this bullet.

Measuring the total overall length isn't the best way to compare your cartidges. A bullet comparator is much better for this. This is because each bullet is different - some are longer and some a shorter. What matters more for cartridge comparison is length to the ogive. This will give you a better and more constent idea of what the distance from the lands your bullets will be.

Once you have your best load figured out, you can then work on getting the bullet closer to the lands to see if this improves accuracy.

I'm a little confused about your ladder test too. What are you hoping to determine with these single round "groups"?
 
To clarify a little: I'm using this first 'ladder test' more to determine my maximum load at this distance from the lands. I realize that one round at each charge weight may not be enough to see a precise node on the target. Once I find the charge weight at which I start to see pressure signs, I'll then load a bunch of decremental charge weights at 3 rounds per decrement and shoot them at 600 m to determine the best load close to the maximum safe one at that OAL.

Tom: thanks for the suggestion. I'll get a comparator soon. I have noticed that COAL is not always consistent because of differences in the bullet lengths ahead of the ogive.
 
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