Since I have only been reloading for 6 months, I have been using info that has been given to me from buddies that reload but would like to start doing more experimenting and tinkering for my rifle/loads. I shoot a .300 win mag and have been using H1000 and 208 AMAXs. Thanks!
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Best Way/Tool To Determine Seating Depth, COAL, OAL?
- Thread starter EasternNChunter
- Start date
Sinclair makes a 'bullet seating depth tool'. I think it's about $30 + shipping. There are also DIY versions which would cost less. Look around online and you should find some videos. Aside from buying a tool, have you invested in reloading manuals?
Will you explain this process to me? I understand loading a bullet without primer and powder. Then just chamber the round where the lands pushes the bullet back? Wont the bullet get stuck in lands when you open the bolt?
Seating depth use the Hornady/Stony point OAL gauge
Hornady(formerly Stoney Point) Overall Length Gage Modified Case: Case Preparation Equipment
To measure COAL/Ogive Length Hornady comparators
Hornady LNL Comparator Set - 22 6mm 25 270 7mm 30 cal : Hornady LNL Comparator Set - 22 6mm 25 270 7mm 30 cal | Sinclair Intl
Most important thing you need to do - Buy some manuals and start reading.
Hornady(formerly Stoney Point) Overall Length Gage Modified Case: Case Preparation Equipment
To measure COAL/Ogive Length Hornady comparators
Hornady LNL Comparator Set - 22 6mm 25 270 7mm 30 cal : Hornady LNL Comparator Set - 22 6mm 25 270 7mm 30 cal | Sinclair Intl
Most important thing you need to do - Buy some manuals and start reading.
Seat your bullet out long. Attempt to chamber, but not with very much force (the bolt prolly won't even think of closing at first). Use a cleaning rod to pop the dummy round out, and seat it deeper til it chambers with the amount of jam (or lack thereof) you want. Use a sharpie on the bullet between attempts and save it when you're done.
I use a sized piece of brass with two slits (dremel) cut down the neck and shoulder. By hand seat a bullet longer than you think your throat is and chamber it, remove and measure. Make sure the bullet is held in the case fairly snug as it will get pulled back out some and skew your readings. Do this multiple times until you get a consistent value. I then always load a dummy round marked with a sharpie on the ogive to verify.
just bite the bullet and get the hornady or Sinclair overall length guage.... get the headspace guage & bullet comparator set and be done with it.... I check every bullet being reloaded for my LMT MWS and as most are safe to reload to mag length with no issues, I DID HAVE ONE bullet (gameking 165's bthp) that was not only well below mag length, but well below sierra's recommended coal!!! if I didn't check, then that bullet would've been pushed back into the brass when loaded, which is rather amazing when reloading for a semi-auto.... never hurts to double check. If you have no clue of what I'm talking about, then you will need to do the same thing I did.... Lots of homework / research. Have fun!
also, I always seat bullets by OGIVE, and not by COAL... it will give you much much more consistent readings.
also, I always seat bullets by OGIVE, and not by COAL... it will give you much much more consistent readings.
EasternNChunter
You may want to get the Hornady gauge; easy to use, doesn't break the bank and works well. As another member mentioned, there are videos (you tube) on how to use it, in addition to the explanatory notice inside the box.
Good shooting.
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