COAL Question .308

[Caligula]

I've been reloading for about a year now and recently stumbled upon this article. Following this method of seating a bullet to "jam" length, I get a COAL of 2.925" using Nosler 165gr. Ballistic Tips. Anybody think this is too long? Will I run into any pressure issues seating this far out? The Lyman manual doesn't list any COAL for this cartridge much beyond 2.8" and I'd rather not destroy my face and rifle finding out the hard way.

[JTROKS]

You shouldn't load your 308 ammo with your bullets touching the lands unless you reduce your loads then work up gradually, well that's a rule anyway. But if I was to do that I'd find a powder with a very good load density and start 10% lower than the starting load.

[Caligula]

I would definitely start with a low charge weight and work up until I started seeing pressure signs or found a charge weight my rifle seems to like.

[highpower790]

Oal should be dictated by the mag,anthing beyond will result in most cases a single round load situation.

[micro911]

For long range single load rounds, I usually load about .010" form the land. I use a comparator to determine the seating depth.

For semiauto rifles, I load to maximum allowed magazine length, then I record the seating depth using the comparator. I then reload to that length. I have never measured the overall length or seated to maximum OAL in the loading book.

That method worked good for me so far without a problem.

[CK_32]

Most book OAL is listed due to mag length. Reason most if not all are capped at 2.8.. Mags are roughly 2.78 to 2.87" from what I've measured.

But what your listing above is loading to the lands. Been done for years on end. Jamming into the lands will spike your pressures, it will also change your node.

So as with everything, it is very safe. If you load with caution and take the proper steps.

[JMP]

For skinny bullets like a bore-rider, I generally end up with a jump around 0.005" to 0.010". For a fat bullet, like an SMK, I'll generally have a jump around 0.020" to 0.030".

I am not a fan of loose, sloppy chambers.

[Caligula]

Micro- Any particular reason for the .01 from the lands?

Edit: nevermind, its pretty obvious now.

[highpower790]

Micro- Any particular reason for the .01 from the lands?

Lets assume its for less bullet jump to improve accuracy...IM betting the sweet spot for that rifle is .01 from lands.

[Shakey]

I've been reloading for about a year now and recently stumbled upon this article. Following this method of seating a bullet to "jam" length, I get a COAL of 2.925" using Nosler 165gr. Ballistic Tips. Anybody think this is too long?

The Nosler 165BT has a relatively long nose section for its weight and will need to be loaded to a long OAL if you are trying to jam it. 2.925 seems like a reasonable length, particularly if you are shooting something like a stock Remington 700.

Will I run into any pressure issues seating this far out? The Lyman manual doesn't list any COAL for this cartridge much beyond 2.8" and I'd rather not destroy my face and rifle finding out the hard way.

Nope, you should be fine as long as you follow normal reloading practices as you would with any new load.

[Rbutler]

one method i read about was doing a ladder test to find your rifles MAX load. you would basically load a ladder jammed .01 into the lands since this is hte highest pressure situation. once you find your rifles pressure max you can work on developing a load in that range and then work on jump vs doing it the other way and causing an usafe situation.

[Caligula]

Thanks for all the input folks.