Alternative to COAL...

[Jody Simcox]

If I'm not sorting bullets, would I be better off seating for a consistent case head to ogive length? Once I get my seater set on one cartridge for a desired COAL, the next one I seat is either shorter or longer in COAL. I have been adjusting with the micrometer on my seater to get same COAL, but aren't I altering seating depths when I do that? Seems to me, case head to ogives would be more important for accuracy, but I really don't see that measurement talked about much? Nosler accubonds and Nosler cases in one gun, AB's and Lapua cases in another... both hunting guns-thanks

 

[Sniper338]

I cant speak for others, but I think you are correct. I seat off the ogive, not the tip of the bullet. You want to engage the lands the same every time, off the ogive is your true seating depth. You dont hear it referred to as base to ogive, you hear it referred to as .10 thou off the lands, jam, 15 thou off, etc..

If one bullet is longer than another to the tip from the ogive, that part isnt engaging rifling anyways. This is why you hear ppl measuring bullets base to ogive, not total length..

Jmo

 

[jerseyjoe]

I check all my loaded rounds from the case head to ogive using a Hornady comparator,

once I have a chosen a bullet seating depth my rifle likes.

If I am loading for a magazine fed rifle, like an AR15 or a hunting rifle,

I will check the overall length of the round also, to make sure it

doesn't exceed the magazine's length limits.

 

[joshb]

Seat to ogive, at whatever distance relative to your lands that the gun likes. I'm struggling with your same problem with my 6.5-47. Guys have suggested I lower my neck tension to 1 1/2-2 thousandths. I'll do that by turning my necks a little and using a larger bushing. I'm also going to continue to anneal after every firing. Having consistent neck tension helps get consistent seating depth, I hear.

 

[JMayo]

Hornady ogive comparator +1. I'm .005 in.
I have no idea what oal is.