Reloading 308 Question

[HagBrew]

I just started reloading 308 and max COL is 2.810. I did a test run with no powder or primer on 5 bullets and most of them are 2.804 to 2.807. Is that a okay COL or do i have to be dead on the 2.810?

 

[ben-o]

Overall length is not a critical measurement. You just need it to fit in your magazine and not get stuck in the rifling.

 

[Rank Amateur]

I just started reloading 308 and max COL is 2.810. I did a test run with no powder or primer on 5 bullets and most of them are 2.804 to 2.807. Is that a okay COL or do i have to be dead on the 2.810?

Depends on your goal. If loading for precision, and you don’t HAVE to use a magazine, .308 Win can be loaded considerably longer than mag length based on measured distance to the lands in your rifle. Many competitive shooters load to jam lengths, so even CBTO length at distance to lands is not a limitation. If you need to (want to) use magazine loading, then you are limited to length of the mag.

 

[Straightshooter1]

I just started reloading 308 and max COL is 2.810. I did a test run with no powder or primer on 5 bullets and most of them are 2.804 to 2.807. Is that a okay COL or do i have to be dead on the 2.810?

There's a lot of variation in a bullet's meplat where there can be as much as .010" in variation (maybe even more in some case) within a lot. I'd say that's mostly what your seeing in your measurements. Therefore, NO . . . you don't have to be dead on. It's better that your CBTO is "dead on" as that tends to be more consistent that CAOL's.

When conveying how you're seating your bullets, it's good that you mention your average COAL since other measurements for any variations don't translate into meaningful information (e.g. how far you are from you lands). Using YOUR tools and you seeing where your seating depths are is what's important, making that as consistent as possible.

 

[Big Mc]

I just started reloading 308 and max COL is 2.810. I did a test run with no powder or primer on 5 bullets and most of them are 2.804 to 2.807. Is that a okay COL or do i have to be dead on the 2.810?

What Ben said Tommy Mc

 

[lb-ft]

I would urge adherence to the COAL when working up an initial load based on published data. If Acme powder company says to use xyz powder in 308 at a COAL of 2.810, I would not start out more than a few thou short of that length. With a given powder charge and bullet combination, pressure goes UP as case length shortens. You could find yourself over pressure merely by running a length shorter than that published.

 

[Doom]

I just started reloading 308 and max COL is 2.810. I did a test run with no powder or primer on 5 bullets and most of them are 2.804 to 2.807. Is that a okay COL or do i have to be dead on the 2.810?

As I read this I'm thinking you are new to reloading. If that is so the advice to stay with what the recommended length the load data is based on should be followed. While some rifles will allow longer seating to get closer to the lands that is adding a complication that a new reloader should avoid until he/she has more experience in loading safe ammunition.

 

[ebb]

If they are open tip match bullets the OAL varies due to the ragged jacket end, and a slight deviation cannot be helped.