Seating problem

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fuel80guy

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I reloaded some 223 with 55 grains psp hornadys no problem within specs on length.
When i went to reload 22-250 with the same bullets i couldnt get them within specs as they were too long.
If i tried to get it within specs the bullet was pushed into case and wobbled.
Does this mean i cant use these bullets in my 250?
 
I wonder why 3 out of 4 "problems," that newer reloaders have as reported on CGN, occurr with the OAL of the cartridge, as given in a loading book?
This is the most minor, meaningless "problem" there is, in reloading.
In fact, it is no problem. The producers of modern reloading manuals created this so called problem, by putting in a figure, usually in three decimal points, of what the length of the cartridge should be.
For a hundred years plus, people have been reloading cartridges to a length that will work through the magazine and the bolt will close.
The bullet should be pushed into the case at least half a calibre diameter, but not so far that it goes by the large diameter of the bullet.
Disregard that COAL figure in your book and just load your damn cartridges.
 
H4831 said:
I wonder why 3 out of 4 "problems," that newer reloaders have as reported on CGN, occurr with the OAL of the cartridge, as given in a loading book?
This is the most minor, meaningless "problem" there is, in reloading.
In fact, it is no problem. The producers of modern reloading manuals created this so called problem, by putting in a figure, usually in three decimal points, of what the length of the cartridge should be.
For a hundred years plus, people have been reloading cartridges to a length that will work through the magazine and the bolt will close.
The bullet should be pushed into the case at least half a calibre diameter, but not so far that it goes by the large diameter of the bullet.
Disregard that COAL figure in your book and just load your damn cartridges.
Click to expand...

Well said teach!
 
When I run unto this problem.. I load my bullets backwards then I can get my short OAL to match book spec but don't end up shoving the bullet right into the case
 
I wonder why 3 out of 4 "problems," that newer reloaders have as reported on CGN, occurr with the OAL of the cartridge, as given in a loading book?
This is the most minor, meaningless "problem" there is, in reloading.
In fact, it is no problem. The producers of modern reloading manuals created this so called problem, by putting in a figure, usually in three decimal points, of what the length of the cartridge should be.
For a hundred years plus, people have been reloading cartridges to a length that will work through the magazine and the bolt will close.
The bullet should be pushed into the case at least half a calibre diameter, but not so far that it goes by the large diameter of the bullet.
Disregard that COAL figure in your book and just load your damn cartridges.
Click to expand...

Ed Zachary. COAL is the most worthless piece of information EVER.
 
fuel80guy said:
sorry i had a brain fart and figured my problem out.
Click to expand...

Trying to reload them to the Case length?

Or the OAL for the .223?

The published OAL's may be wholly a figment of imagination of the guy that felt the need to 'put a number on it' (at least, at 3 decimal places), but they won't usually cause the bullet to be seated so deep it falls in to the case.

Awright. Fess up! :D

Cheers
Trev
 
How about sacrificing one piece of brass to make an OAL gauge?

1. Cut a couple lines in the neck, length wise.

2. Set the bullet of choice in the neck as long as possible. (there should be a little resistance, but enough to prevent the bullet from falling through)

3. Close the bolt slowly, don't jam it closed.

4. Gently extract the round.

5. Measure. Deduct ~0.030"(Or how ever much you desire). Done.

Like in all things, length matters. The measurements in the manual mean squat since the measurements weren't derived from your rifle. I've found that every load I've developed, regardless of bullet type, are sensitive to seating depth in some form, some more drastically than others(I'm looking at you, Berger .284 168gr VLD's). I measure OAL this way in all my firearms. Start load development with the bullet kissing the lands. Then move on to fine tuning with different seating depths...

Good luck and be safe!

SL
 
Here's a real dumb idea. Seat bullets deep with full bullet diameter to bottom of neck. Work on uniform neck tension and find the accuracy nodes. When nodes are found record them. Store this data for use when the rounds need to be reloaded. Shoot this load until barrel is NFG. Those who chase lands chase lands forever. Every time overall length is increased neck tension is altered. Diminishing returns.
 
All that "seating to the lands" is bull...Doesn`t do a dam thing other than waste a bunch of time. I`ve tried it with numerous grain bullets and no change. They all shot the same as a factory load you would buy from the store. When I reload, I set my seating die so I`m at 2.350 (22.250) and thats that...leave it alone.
 
darcy32171 said:
All that "seating to the lands" is bull...Doesn`t do a dam thing other than waste a bunch of time. I`ve tried it with numerous grain bullets and no change. They all shot the same as a factory load you would buy from the store. When I reload, I set my seating die so I`m at 2.350 (22.250) and thats that...leave it alone.
Click to expand...

My sub MOA rifles would beg to differ with you.
 
darcy32171 said:
All that "seating to the lands" is bull...Doesn`t do a dam thing other than waste a bunch of time. I`ve tried it with numerous grain bullets and no change. They all shot the same as a factory load you would buy from the store. When I reload, I set my seating die so I`m at 2.350 (22.250) and thats that...leave it alone.
Click to expand...

That's odd, most of my rifles will either open up groups, or tighten them by playing with seating depth. Some a lot more than others. Might I ask what kind of grouping you are getting with factory ammo, and also with your handloads?

Factory offerings have come a long way, but they cannot tailor a load specific to your rifle, only you can do that, so it stands to reason that you should be able to improve upon what they have to offer. It might take some time and study, but easily accomplished.
 
Someone should post a non-stop/no editing video showing the start to end results....I`d like to see it. Like I mentioned before, my Savage axis 22-250 at 200 yards...I couldn`t tell any difference with seating to the lands.
 
Right now I seat to 2.350. If I was to seat so the bullet is just on the lands it would be 2.480. If a guy is already 1.5 grains before max load at 2.350....a guy might as well disregard the max load listed cause at 2.480 it would be considerably less pressure then what I am running now.
 
I always like to quote what the world class bench rest shooters do. And this bench rest shooting includes long range, to 1,000 yards.
I have the book, The Accurate Rifle, by Warren Page, who was probably the greatest bench rest shooter ever. He won the annual US open championship nine times.
In the book he states the procedure is to load the bullets tight to the lands and load them heavy.
Lots of information on the rifles, but not one word about varrying the seating depth, varrying the charge of powder or building up ammunition to suit the rifle.
He stresses maximum loading for all the calibres they used, including 308 Winchester and 7mm Remington magnum, stating their loads are heavier than loads found in most reloading books.
Now, don't anyone trash me for this. I am just the messenger, stating what is in the book by Warren Page.
 
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