HELP: Is this OAL to long? .284Win 3.34"

[Quinc]

Loading up some .284 for the first time and I don't have my OAL gauge yet. So to get an idea of OAL I loaded a bullet long and turned the Redding Micrometer comp die one notch each time and checked it until I could close the bolt. This is my first time reloading .284 and the OAL seems a bit high. Eye balling a bullet next to it looks like it comes down to about the datum line.


Measuring with a Hornady comparator I am taking the measurements off ogive:
6.5x284 Lapua brass
FL sized to .284 win
trimmed to 2.17
180gr Berger Hybrid
From ogive 2.6085
OAL 3.34

I can not close the bolt at 2.609 and Can close the bolt without much effort at 2.6085

 

[stool]

Re: HELP: Does this OAL look ok?

deburr the inside of your necks...the bullet should not be chewed up like that

 

[Quinc]

Re: HELP: Does this OAL look ok?

deburr the inside of your necks...the bullet should not be chewed up like that

They have been deburred and tumbled in stainless steal. Most likely from me pulling the bullet multiple times trying to find the lands.

 

[Witchhunter]

Mark the bullet with a sharpie, you will be able to see the marks on the bullet if it is touching the lands.

 

[expiper]

Quincy,,,you are doing what we normally do,,,you are finding the jam length for your particular bullet in your chamber (what is the free bore length ,,,im guessin .220),,,,as you can see you have aprox .150 of the neck holding the bullet shank ,,,,and lots of room to seat deeper for jump if needed,,,,,you are ready to start load development,,,,as stated use a marker or smoke from a candle flame to black the bullet to make the marks from lands distinct,,,,,Roger

 

[Quinc]

Thanks guys appreciate the help! Used a sharpie and seated them to about .001 off the lands. I only loaded 10rds so I can shoot the dang thing. I plan on loading up some more and hopefully going to some 1k matches once my oal gauge is delivered.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Seat them .020" off the lands, that's where most have found them to shoot. You can fine tune later.
I would also recommend you always stay away from the lands at least .005" because bullet inconsistencies will have some bullets jumping and some touching the lands when you are as close as you are to the lands.