C.O.L. - The Firearms Forum

Genokumite · 01-02-2010, 07:13 PM

I am new to reloading. I actually bought all my equipment in November 09. I have yet to reload my first round. Just reading and learning right now. I have three manuals right now Hornady, Lyman and Nosler. My question is why does Nosler only give the maximum C.O.L. I am going to try to load a 150 grain partition spitzer in 30.06. Can I use the specs for the 150 grain (C.O.L.) in the Lyman and or Hornady manuals. Max is 3.34 in Nosler which is all the Nosler manual gives and 3.23 C.O.L in Lyman and Hornady. May be petty but I want to be safe. Thanks for your input in advanced.

Lotsdragon · 01-02-2010, 07:34 PM

HI and welcome to the forum, one place that can answer a lot of you r questions is the IMR website.Looking at my lee dies I see that 3.340 inchs is the max. There aint no petty questions when it comes to reloading, take your time do it right or you will regret it immensly. Have fun and be safe!

Gearheadpyro · 01-02-2010, 07:44 PM

It is likely due to the Nosler bullet being just a little bit longer than the others. Use the information from the bullet manufacturer you are using, if you have that manual. Otherwise I would go with the 3.23" C.O.L.

The factory C.O.L. which is listed in the manual is a good starting point. Each gun will have a different maximum C.O.L. though. You will need to tune your ammunitions C.O.L. to your gun in order to get the best group sizes. That's one of the many benefits to reloading.

I wrote an article on load development that will help you out with this (still working on a few of the linked pages). (http://www.rifles-shooting-reloading...velopment.html)

steve4102 · 01-02-2010, 09:06 PM

The Max COL listed in manuals has very little to do with your particular firearm. Each firearm will have it's own max COL. The Max COL listed in the manuals is for ammo manufacturers so as every round sold will fit every firearm made. The handloader is free to adjust the COL to fit his or her specific needs.

From Accurate Powders..
SPECIAL NOTE ON CARTRIDGE OVERALL LENGTH “COL”
It is important to note that the SAAMI “COL” values are for the firearms and ammunition manufacturers industry and must
be seen as a guideline only.
The individual reloader is free to adjust this dimension to suit their particular firearm-component-weapon combination.
This parameter is determined by various dimensions such as 1) magazine length (space), 2) freebore-lead dimensions of
the barrel, 3) ogive or profile of the projectile and 4) position of cannelure or crimp groove.

From Hornady #7

rocklinskier · 01-03-2010, 08:01 AM

On this subject, I have a question as well.

If you use the same powder load, but adjust the COL, what is the effect on the pressure?

For instance, If one bullet is seated at 3.20, and another at 3.35, both with the same powder load, will the deeper of the two increase pressure and or velocity to a notable degree?

steve4102 · 01-03-2010, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocklinskier

On this subject, I have a question as well.

If you use the same powder load, but adjust the COL, what is the effect on the pressure?

For instance, If one bullet is seated at 3.20, and another at 3.35, both with the same powder load, will the deeper of the two increase pressure and or velocity to a notable degree?

In bottleneck rifle cartridges there is no real answer to this question. It has long been thought that the deeper the bullet is seated the higher the pressure,(less case volume). Barnes among others have tested this theory in pressure testing equipment and found just the opposite in some rifles. They also found a increase in pressure in some rifles. So, the answer is "Maybe".

Will you notice a increase or decrease in pressure from 3.20 to 3.35, probably not, as long as these loads are not crowding the lands and there is sufficient bullet jump. Crowding the lands will increase pressure for sure. If the load is near or at Max, wouldn't hurt to drop the charge down a bit and work back up when changing OAL.

Genokumite · 01-04-2010, 10:06 PM

Wow! Thank you everyone for all the information. I really appreciate you time and information given. Now with deer season over I will begin working up an accurate coyote round for this summer and a big game round for next hunting season and get proficient in shooting both.

Thanks again!!!!!

01-02-2010, 07:13 PM	#1
Genokumite Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Virginia. Posts: 4	C.O.L. I am new to reloading. I actually bought all my equipment in November 09. I have yet to reload my first round. Just reading and learning right now. I have three manuals right now Hornady, Lyman and Nosler. My question is why does Nosler only give the maximum C.O.L. I am going to try to load a 150 grain partition spitzer in 30.06. Can I use the specs for the 150 grain (C.O.L.) in the Lyman and or Hornady manuals. Max is 3.34 in Nosler which is all the Nosler manual gives and 3.23 C.O.L in Lyman and Hornady. May be petty but I want to be safe. Thanks for your input in advanced. -->

01-02-2010, 07:34 PM	#2
Lotsdragon Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Potosi, Mo Posts: 813	Re: C.O.L. HI and welcome to the forum, one place that can answer a lot of you r questions is the IMR website.Looking at my lee dies I see that 3.340 inchs is the max. There aint no petty questions when it comes to reloading, take your time do it right or you will regret it immensly. Have fun and be safe! __________________ "First comes smiles,then lies.Last is gunfire" Roland Deschain

01-02-2010, 07:44 PM	#3
Gearheadpyro V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 110	Re: C.O.L. It is likely due to the Nosler bullet being just a little bit longer than the others. Use the information from the bullet manufacturer you are using, if you have that manual. Otherwise I would go with the 3.23" C.O.L. The factory C.O.L. which is listed in the manual is a good starting point. Each gun will have a different maximum C.O.L. though. You will need to tune your ammunitions C.O.L. to your gun in order to get the best group sizes. That's one of the many benefits to reloading. I wrote an article on load development that will help you out with this (still working on a few of the linked pages). (http://www.rifles-shooting-reloading...velopment.html) __________________ www.southernmarksman.com Owner of & Chief Instructor for The Southern Marksman, LLC NRA Life Member, NRA CRSO, Multi-Discipline NRA Certified Instructor

01-02-2010, 09:06 PM	#4
steve4102 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota Contributor Posts: 2,760	Re: C.O.L. The Max COL listed in manuals has very little to do with your particular firearm. Each firearm will have it's own max COL. The Max COL listed in the manuals is for ammo manufacturers so as every round sold will fit every firearm made. The handloader is free to adjust the COL to fit his or her specific needs. From Accurate Powders.. SPECIAL NOTE ON CARTRIDGE OVERALL LENGTH “COL” It is important to note that the SAAMI “COL” values are for the firearms and ammunition manufacturers industry and must be seen as a guideline only. The individual reloader is free to adjust this dimension to suit their particular firearm-component-weapon combination. This parameter is determined by various dimensions such as 1) magazine length (space), 2) freebore-lead dimensions of the barrel, 3) ogive or profile of the projectile and 4) position of cannelure or crimp groove. From Hornady #7

01-03-2010, 08:01 AM	#5
rocklinskier V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 295	Re: C.O.L. On this subject, I have a question as well. If you use the same powder load, but adjust the COL, what is the effect on the pressure? For instance, If one bullet is seated at 3.20, and another at 3.35, both with the same powder load, will the deeper of the two increase pressure and or velocity to a notable degree? __________________ 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.

01-04-2010, 10:06 PM	#7
Genokumite Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Virginia. Posts: 4	Re: C.O.L. Wow! Thank you everyone for all the information. I really appreciate you time and information given. Now with deer season over I will begin working up an accurate coyote round for this summer and a big game round for next hunting season and get proficient in shooting both. Thanks again!!!!!