Mossy Oak Forum / Hunting / Rifle Range / reloading / Latest Posts

RE: reloading

bunnybuster — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:38:35 GMT

ok.....thanks guys this has helped alot...ill let you know how it goes

RE: reloading

whitetail101 — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:49:53 GMT

If you plan on shooting the ammo in the same firearm and not share with another firearm of the same caliber then using the COL method is the way to go. Otherwise follow the measurements in the books. The COL method is also great for those who are trying to get the best accuracy out of thier load, as the closer the bullet is to the lands when chamber the more accurate it will be upon firing.

I would stay away from using a cleaning rod and use the Stony Point or other manufactures COL gauge as this is designed for this purpose and will result in an actual measurement and not a guess as to where the bullet is in the lands.

Also when loading bullets you should be using the manual printed by that bullet manufacture, as they know the actual dimensions of thier products and have tested them to the specs listed.

RE: reloading

bunnybuster — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:34:16 GMT

ok so its best to set the COAL to your chamber and not so much
to the length given in the reloading manual for any given weight. ive also read that you can use
your cleaning rod and a magic marker to find COAL, by running the rod
down the barrel til it gets to the bolt face,mark it,push your lead into the barrel
with a pencil..run the rod back down the barrel and mark it..them measure the distance
between the lines ,back off .015 and youve got you COAL.sounds like it should work.

any ideas?

RE: reloading

whitetail101 — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:39:33 GMT

Yes, different brands of the same weight bullet can be different lengths. That is why when you change bullet manufacturers you have to reset your bullet seater.

I also use the Stoney Point COL system for loading all of my calibers. It makes it easy to custom build a load for your firearm based on the dimensions of the gun's chamber. I set mine .015 from the lands as I load my shells within .1 grains of maximum

RE: reloading

bunnybuster — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:51:49 GMT

hey thanks....are diferent brands of the same weight diffent in length.

for instance im loading from a speer manual but loading hornady 40gr
v-max bullets.i can not push the hornady lead in as far as the manual
calls for...it sinks plum down in the neck at that far...so im thinking the speer
lead must be shorter.i have found that the speer 50gr TNT pushed down
to 2.230 groups at under an inch at 100yds using 26.5grs of powder..close enough
for a coyote.

RE: reloading

sarge19_8 — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:43:15 GMT

Stoney Point makes a good guage that measures where the bullet ogive hit the rifling. It uses a modified cartridge case you get from them and uses your bullets. It also requires a small tool that connects to your calipers to measure the base to ogive length. Then back it off .010-.015 for the loaded round. Some VLD bullets like to touch the lands. Sometimes the cartridge can get too long for the magazine and has to be single loaded, or find a mag length load that works for your firearm. (match AR shooters generally do this for rapid fire, prone and standing aren't a problem)

Sinclair has a simple one that if you look at it, you realize you can make one. Just a rod with some clamps.

Sarge

RE: reloading

NerdHick — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:22:17 GMT

OK Here is a bunch of info sent back to me from a friend...I copied thr first post and sent it to him.

The tool he's looking for is the Lock N Load OAL gauge... I attached a link. for bolt action rifles he'll want the straight gauge, for semi-auto's or pump's etc, the curved gauge.

https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_session=49cce12183e1100a10d394f7f775a651&page=shop%2Fbrowse&category_id=fd215786476a600bb3a34eaef6e83165

He will also need the appropriate modified case.

https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_session=49cce12183e1100a10d394f7f775a651&page=shop%2Fbrowse&category_id=7df13f42514ab708d0b7ebbd11c32a1b

then it's just a matter of dropping a bullet in the modified case, inserting that assembly into the breech, and using the rod and set screw to push the bullet forward until it touches the lands. Then measure that length with the bullet comparator:

https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_session=49cce12183e1100a10d394f7f775a651&page=shop%2Fbrowse&category_id=ed0a24f7da507b583bac1a8d6e16635b

this measures C.O.L off of the ogive of the bullet instead of the tip of the bullet. There can actually be a few thousandths of variation in tip length so measuring off the ogive is much more reliable and repeatable.

RE: reloading

pabowhunter — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:20:01 GMT

I've read several different ways to make that measurement. Like Jason said look around and read up on it. Then use the method that suites you best. I tried several methods just to make sure I know where it was at.

RE: reloading

Jason — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:59:32 GMT

It varies on gun barrel manufactor. Check Hornady's website along with Barnes, Sierra, Speer, and others like Winchester and Remington, they all will have the information you are looking for. On reloading you'll do a lot of reading, you'll refur back to those pages often and books. I use Sierra's latest book when getting my load info for my rounds. It is a lot of fun!

On the NEF, I had a 243 NEF once...I was able to barely put the bullet in the casing, I had plenty of room before it hit rifling.

RE: reloading

NerdHick — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:51:38 GMT

Sorry man I have to refer you to http://www.hornady.com/

I will also copy your message and send it to a friend in the reloading industry.

-NerdHick

reloading

bunnybuster — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:09:01 GMT

i would like to know the best way to find
the point at which the bullet comes in contact with the
rifleing in the barrel.from what ive read this is the best way
to determine the C.O.A.L. by backing of.o15 or so from
where the bullet contacts the grooves.....also any reloading info
for a .223 NEF.