Using a Forster Co-ax press, with a Forster Micrometer Seating die in .308, trying to seat 155gr Sierras, and with a Hornady Custom seating die trying to seat various Hornady and Berger bullets in .223 I'm getting huge variations in OAL. I don't remember getting these using a beginner kit from Lee. Anyone got any ideas WHY? It defies any rhyme or reason - that I know of. Has anyone any pointers? MANY thanks if you do! Hugh
Endlessly inconsistent OALs - anyone?
- Thread starter HMacmillan
- Start date
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Are you measuring base of case to ogive of bullet,using a caliber-specific comparator)?
It's not unusual for bullets to vary in OAL,measured to bullet tip) by up to 7-8 thousandths,more with cheap bullets). The key thing is you want the base to ogive measurements to be as close as possible.
Try sorting some bullets base to ogive first, then seat them into your cartridges. THEN measure base of case to bullet ogive.
It's not unusual for bullets to vary in OAL,measured to bullet tip) by up to 7-8 thousandths,more with cheap bullets). The key thing is you want the base to ogive measurements to be as close as possible.
Try sorting some bullets base to ogive first, then seat them into your cartridges. THEN measure base of case to bullet ogive.
I think the moderater is right. I had the same problem with 3 different calibers. Then I bought a set of compareters and they are spot on now!
Hugh: Cartridge overall length, the dimension from the base of the case to the tip of the bullet, has very little meaning to me, other than when it concerns being limited by magazine length requirements, as with the AR-15 & 2.260'. When I take a throat dimension with a designated bullet, adjust the seater for that bullet, and measure to verify, the only 'length' I care about is: base of the case to the ogive point of contact with the leade in front of the chamber. Bullet overall length,s) can & do vary, hollow points with the jagged tip being the 'worst', sometimes by as much as .015' to .018'. To verify what we all are saying, get yourself a good bullet comparator, like the Hornady gauge and with the same rounds that are different O.A.L., measure from base to ogive, and you will see they are all identical. Fagetaboudit!
Thank you all very much. The arms race continues...I'll purchase the requisite to measure to the ogive. Upon reflection that make more sense anyway. I had been measuring from bullet base to tip using calipers. Cheers Hugh
also check to make sure dies are clean.
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