How to measure chamber for optimum seating depth?

[Blasst]

I was looking on a custom reloaders site.

he says, "<span style="text-decoration: underline">We will take the necessary measurements from inside your chamber and magazine</span> of your firearm. This will allow us to seat the bullet to the optimum seating depth for your firearm to increase accuracy."

So....How does one measure inside the chamber and magazine??? Sorry I am new to this game. May be answered in one of the stickies but haven't come across it yet.

Thanks for any insights.

 

[Anvil]

Re: How to measure chamber for optimum seating depth?

That is confusing to read. What I think he means is magazine fed rifles are limited in some cases when it comes to C.O.A.L. "Cartridge overall Length". When he measures the chamber he will get a measurement of what the COAL is with the bullet touching the lands. In some cases that measurement if applied to the cartridge will prevent the rounds from fitting in the magazine. If that is the case he will most likely give you the longest COAL that your magazines will accept. All rifles are different along with the projectiles they fire. Some projectiles depending on their design don't have to be right up to the lands and grooves to get the best performance. Some like to be right up next to them or even touching.

I ran into this problem with one of my rifles when I was new to reloading. My rifle performed better the closer my projectile was to the lands. Unfortunately my magazines would not accommodate this. So I was forced at that time to feed the rounds one at a time to get the best performance. If I wasn't concerned as much about ragged hole performance I would load my rounds to magazine length.

No matter what the best thing you can do is experiment with different types of projectiles and their seating depths. I'm sure you will find something that will work.
I hope this helped.

 

[jayjaytuner]

Re: How to measure chamber for optimum seating depth?

stoney point OAL guide.....takes a empty preferable fireformed in your chamber case, that is threaded at the rear....


you insert a bullet in the empty case, a rod pushes the bullet in the lands lightly, carefully remove the case measure the overall length on the bearing surface of the bullet, repeat a bunch of times until you get a number thats repeating.

i belive sinclair makes on as well.

 

[Wylie Custom]

Re: How to measure chamber for optimum seating depth?

You can measure your chambers overall length with one of these:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/570611/hornady-lock-n-load-overall-length-gage-bolt-action

I assume they measure your mag length so that they do not seat bullets out so far as to not fit in mag.

 

[Blasst]

Re: How to measure chamber for optimum seating depth?

thanks guys. I was quoting from dallasreloads site.
Don't think he will mind me mentioning that. I was thinking of buying a 338 LM so I'll have to start reloading again or pay out the ass for ammo.....so was curious. I've forgotten what little reloading I did years ago. Guess I am getting back in the game.

 

[BravoSector1]

Re: How to measure chamber for optimum seating depth?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Blasst</div><div class="ubbcode-body">thanks guys. I was quoting from dallasreloads site.
Don't think he will mind me mentioning that. I was thinking of buying a 338 LM so I'll have to start reloading again or pay out the ass for ammo.....so was curious. I've forgotten what little reloading I did years ago. Guess I am getting back in the game. </div></div>

Yup..OAL for mag fed weapons will limit you. I loaded up a bunch of .308 168 AMAX rounds to 2.85...shot beautifully...but one round at a time. They wouldn't fit in the magazine