CONSISTENT OAL? - The Firearms Forum

mgatc · 01-15-2011, 09:45 AM

Any suggestions for getting more consistent OAL?

I feel like I am getting too much variation on either of my presses. Last nights goal was an OAL of XX.320. The actuals ranged from XX.313 to XX.327 with the average being XX.319.

RCBS 2 die rifle. No micrometer. Bullets are Sierra Match Kings.

Is this too much variation and if so, How can I minimize it?

Thnx,
m

zkovach · 01-15-2011, 10:28 AM

i dont have an answer but i typically see about .006 in variation myself and never had a problem with my loads.

steve4102 · 01-15-2011, 11:14 AM

Measure from the Ogive, not the tip of the bullet.

mgatc · 01-15-2011, 02:53 PM

Where can I find the tool that measures from the Ogive?

steve4102 · 01-15-2011, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgatc

Where can I find the tool that measures from the Ogive?

Go to Midway, Sinclair and others and look for "Bullet Comparator".

rocklinskier · 01-16-2011, 11:53 AM

This thread is interesting to me. I posted a very similar post a few weeks ago. Somewhat new to rifle reloading, I was concerned with the varied COAL. So....do you just trust your seating die, pick a best medium for the desired COAL, and trust that the Ogive length is consistant?

If you have the bullet comparator, will it show inconsistant lengths?, Theoretically,, The seat plug should contact the bullet at the same point time after time correct?

noylj · 01-19-2011, 08:52 PM

1) It just doesn't matter. If you wonder, try shooting them. Sort them and shoot them. Cut off some tips and shoot them.
2) You can try "dead-length" bullet seating but, if your press is mounted solid and the press and bench don't flex and your dies are tight and shell plate is tight and your bullet ogives are consistent, what more could you do?
3) What is your accuracy goal and what can you really expect from your rifle?

dksac2 · 01-19-2011, 09:27 PM

The Ojive on quality bullets, especially match bullets wil be far more consistant than cheap FMJ bullets.
It is the best way to measure if looking for consistancy.

John K

312shooter · 01-20-2011, 12:26 AM

mgatc,

The Ogive is where it counts in the bullets you are dealing with, it is where most seater plugs mate to apply pressure to the bullet during the seating process, and its also the forward most portion of the bullet that will introduce, via the slope, engagement to the lands but not to be confused with the bearing surface which is rearward of the ogive. The pic may help you visualize whats happening inside you seater die, note the 3/8 of an inch of the bullet tip inside the plug, From the ogive foward to the tip is where inconsistency is found in bullets, very little in SMK's but you still find them, even more so in lower quality bullets. This is a Redding seater and a 135gr SMK in .270

mgatc · 01-20-2011, 07:27 AM

Nice picture "312".

I had asssumed the seating die worked by pushing on the end of the bullet and not the ogive. Still have to get the device that allows measuring the OAL via the ogive and not the tip.

Is that the Redding match seating die that runs about ~$100.00?

m

312shooter · 01-20-2011, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Is that the Redding match seating die that runs about ~$100.00?

NO this is the standard series A seating die

01-15-2011, 09:45 AM	#1
mgatc V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Florence, SC Posts: 70	CONSISTENT OAL? Any suggestions for getting more consistent OAL? I feel like I am getting too much variation on either of my presses. Last nights goal was an OAL of XX.320. The actuals ranged from XX.313 to XX.327 with the average being XX.319. RCBS 2 die rifle. No micrometer. Bullets are Sierra Match Kings. Is this too much variation and if so, How can I minimize it? Thnx, m --> Last edited by mgatc; 01-15-2011 at 09:46 AM.. Reason: Added type bullet used.

01-15-2011, 10:28 AM	#2
zkovach Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,005	Re: CONSISTENT OAL? i dont have an answer but i typically see about .006 in variation myself and never had a problem with my loads. __________________ Liberalism: Poverty for ALL!!

01-15-2011, 11:14 AM	#3
steve4102 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota Contributor Posts: 2,760	Re: CONSISTENT OAL? Measure from the Ogive, not the tip of the bullet.

01-15-2011, 02:53 PM	#4
mgatc V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Florence, SC Posts: 70	Re: CONSISTENT OAL? Where can I find the tool that measures from the Ogive?

01-16-2011, 11:53 AM	#6
rocklinskier V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 295	Re: CONSISTENT OAL? This thread is interesting to me. I posted a very similar post a few weeks ago. Somewhat new to rifle reloading, I was concerned with the varied COAL. So....do you just trust your seating die, pick a best medium for the desired COAL, and trust that the Ogive length is consistant? If you have the bullet comparator, will it show inconsistant lengths?, Theoretically,, The seat plug should contact the bullet at the same point time after time correct? __________________ Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free ~Ronald Reagan.

01-19-2011, 08:52 PM	#7
noylj V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 116	Re: CONSISTENT OAL? 1) It just doesn't matter. If you wonder, try shooting them. Sort them and shoot them. Cut off some tips and shoot them. 2) You can try "dead-length" bullet seating but, if your press is mounted solid and the press and bench don't flex and your dies are tight and shell plate is tight and your bullet ogives are consistent, what more could you do? 3) What is your accuracy goal and what can you really expect from your rifle?

01-19-2011, 09:27 PM	#8
dksac2 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 106	Re: CONSISTENT OAL? The Ojive on quality bullets, especially match bullets wil be far more consistant than cheap FMJ bullets. It is the best way to measure if looking for consistancy. John K

01-20-2011, 12:26 AM	#9
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,160	Re: CONSISTENT OAL? mgatc, The Ogive is where it counts in the bullets you are dealing with, it is where most seater plugs mate to apply pressure to the bullet during the seating process, and its also the forward most portion of the bullet that will introduce, via the slope, engagement to the lands but not to be confused with the bearing surface which is rearward of the ogive. The pic may help you visualize whats happening inside you seater die, note the 3/8 of an inch of the bullet tip inside the plug, From the ogive foward to the tip is where inconsistency is found in bullets, very little in SMK's but you still find them, even more so in lower quality bullets. This is a Redding seater and a 135gr SMK in .270 Attached Images __________________ "Democracy is based on citizenship- perhaps the greatest gift the United States has given to the world- Power is vested in the people themselves, and government flows from the people" James M Henslin Last edited by 312shooter; 01-20-2011 at 12:39 AM..

01-20-2011, 07:27 AM	#10
mgatc V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Florence, SC Posts: 70	Re: CONSISTENT OAL? Nice picture "312". I had asssumed the seating die worked by pushing on the end of the bullet and not the ogive. Still have to get the device that allows measuring the OAL via the ogive and not the tip. Is that the Redding match seating die that runs about ~$100.00? m