AOL

[wildchild]

I see alot of posts refering to AOL on load info and cant quit understand why we're referring to this number as anything custom or even factory doesn't matter. chambering, free bore, barrel dimension changes this number to an extent that we cant really refer to it as any kinda of standord. I see posts like "so and so" has a load that is 2.90 AOL and dont shoot, So what!! that number dont mean shit!! Am I missing something?

 

[necchi]

Your right,
It's simply a standard we use as referance, epspecially when new loaders are seeking info it's a term that's available in many/all load manuals.
Once we determine what he's shooting, how he is determining his Oal and what other tools he has, it's easier to guide folks in the proper direction.

Useing the term amoungst fellow shooters/loaders is usually different than how it's used in a book.
A discussion between a few individuals useing an Oal measurement may simply be refering to the original measurement made at the beginning of the topic and changes to it.

Another issue is if the loader only has a basic caliper and no other tools to measure a datum point ,,so data handed to that person would be in oal terms.

If you truely feel AOL don't mean shit,, then don't read the topic,, that way you can stay in blissfull ignorance,

 

[Erik Cortina]

Necci, I think wildchild is aware that OAL matters, but what he means is that just because my gun shoots at an OAL of 2.775" it doesn't mean that that's where yours will hammer as well.

 

[fredhorace77]

Brad - you need to tell "so in so" to change his OAL to 2.905 and it would shoot in the 1's all day long, in any wind.

Regards,
Donovan

if you would of set your COL to 2.904 and your run out to .090 it would of shot "0s" all day long in high wind conditions like mine does..
P.S that's a 9 shot group...10th shot was a flyer and I don't include flyers ;D

 

[broncman]

The only time I would use that phrase is for a magazine fed gun. Such as an AR that can only accept a certain length or else be single fed.

 

[wildchild]

Brad - you need to tell "so in so" to change his OAL to 2.905 and it would shoot in the 1's all day long, in any wind. That is where I have my OAL set at in my factory rifle you know, and it should do even better in "so in so's" custom action/barrel/chamber.

I took down a 4-point with that load at 72yds - cold-bore - witnessed
Also got a 3-pointer at 91yds - hot-bore - but no witness

Regards,
Donovan

;D ;D ;D

 

[K22]

Wow - never thought AOL (techincal correct term is COL - cartridge overall length) could cause such a stir. ???

The reason some posters, me included, mention it is because it's often asked for by the post author. It's true, it's really not transferable to other rifles. In addition, unless you're seating off the ogive - seating depth can vary a few thousands when seating off of COL.

What I recommend to new reloaders is to back off at least .20" (preferrable .30") from the lands and start there moving back when load testing. Interesting enough I have some rifles that prefer a significantly shorter bullet seating depth than other rifles of the same caliber.

Another method which can be effective for new reloaders is to start at the industry maximum COL and work back. However, one must still check, with a dummy round (not loaded with powder) to make sure that this length does not jam the bullet into the lands before firing any reloads at this COL. I have one factory rifle, (i.e. Tikka T3 - 243 caliber) that has a very short throat that will not accomodate certain bullets seated to the industry max COL.

 

[Nomad47]

AOL = America On Line. Not sure but I think it is a dinosaur dial up service.

OAL = Over All Length.

 

[Erik Cortina]

K22, do you really mean .20"-.30" or did you mean .020"-.030"?