COAL 6.5x.284

[M-61]

Savage 12 BR. Using a Hornady OAL gauge, their modified case, and Sierra 142 HPBT I am coming up with 3.15" COAL to the point where the bullet touches the lands. It seems to be quite a bit more than what I have read for other shooters. (Most were 2.96").
What am I doing wrong to come up with this length? Have taken about 20 different bullets from the same box and all are measuring the same (or as close to this as I can get considering variables.)

 

[Dubya]

Depends on how long your throat is. The throat on mine is .188 and most of my loads measure from
2.388 to 2.395 depending on which bullet that I use (Sierra 142/Berger 140/Hornady 140 etc.
My COAL for the Berger 140 VLDL (tip of the bullet to the base of the brass/primer end) is 3.167.
But my OAL (where ogive of bullet touches the lans/rifleing to the base of the brass is 2.391.
Hope this helps.

Gary.

 

[BoydAllen]

You aren't doing anything wrong. Your rifle is different, and that should not be a problem. Also, the consistency of your results speaks well for your measuring technique, and the uniformity of the bullets. The good news is that you don't have a problem. There is no bad news.