Help with COL problem

[ebruder]

Hi,

So I'm trying some heavier bullets, and have run into a problem, and I was hoping you guys could help.

I'm loading Berger 80gr VLD Match bullets using Varget and Lapua Brass... hoping for a real good batch here in my brand new match barrel...

I wanted to see what the chamber and lands would allow for a max OAL... I de-primed and partially neck sized some cases, then I set the bullet in the loose case and chambered the brass/bullet combo... then I took it out and measured the COL that results with the bullet touching the lands (when the over length combo hits the lands, the lands stop the bullet, and the brass is seated onto the bullet, giving an OAL for the round with the bullet touching the lands)....

The problem is... the Hodgson reloading database says that the COL for a Sierra 80gr match bullet (the only 80 gr bullet/varget combo they have) with varget should be no shorter than 2.550"...

The average COL using 10 of these trials was 2.407" with a range from 2.404 to 2.410...

What should I do? It seems that the 80 gr bullet can't possibly be seated out far enough to make the minimum COL of 2.550"

Thoughts?

EB

 

[H4831]

I would load the starting load charge, seat the bullets the depth you described, and shoot.
The pressure will likely look like starting load pressures, so go from there.