Bullet Length and Seating depth

[fusionstar]

So I purchased a bunch of 168gr VMAX bullets and "milspec" 175gr FMJBT "sniper" bullets. The length of the bullets are all over the place. My question is, should I just set the seating die to a desired depth and leave it? I feel like an idiot chasing seating depth. I'm using the LEE collet and seating die for my 308's. I understand there is a tool that attaches to the caliper jaws to measure from the ogive but forgot the name of it.

[Peter W Bush]

Hornady/Stoney Point OAL gauge I believe is the tool you are looking for. If your really want to be accurate, measure from the ogive instead of the tip. Ogive is the most consistent.

Edit- That's what I get for reading threads while half asleep. Bullet comparator measures from the ogive to base of bullet,
OAL gauge helps you find the lands.

[kmullins]

Fusionstar,

The tool your looking for is a bullet comparator. Sinclair sells them and they measure the length of the round from base to ogive or bearing surface of the bullet. This is much more consistent, as bullet tip length can vary greatly.

[Pete1979]

Keep in mind that the Hornady bullets have a different shape it has been my experience that they like to be seated further out, a lot further out...

[bubbapug1]

I'd set the seating die for the maximum length you can fit in a mag and let it go at that. It's a 308, not a 6ppc. You can use a comparator, but you can also smoke the bullet and jam feed it in a loose case to see where the lands start. It all depends on what groupngs you want. 0.010 off the lands may, or may not give you the best group.

Once you use the comparator you will see the OAL can vary but the ogive is pretty consistant.

[30Cal]

Set the die and forget it.