[Kahouna]

I'll start off by saying that I'm a greenhorn to reloading. I've reloaded my first batch of ammo and wanted to ask for clarification on overall lengths. I made my 168 gr. loads according to the manual (Speer). After looking at them and admiring them, I moved on to my 150 gr. loads. Both had the same COL which got me to looking at the unfired LC and HXP I had laying around. The loads I rolled call for a 3.295 COL and the LC measured in at 3.325, the HXP was 3.320(ish). How much would this affect accuracy as I've heard it was good to have the bullet as close as possible (if not touching) the rifling?

I only compete in NM's with a Remy '03 and occasionally a Garand match on the side with one of my M1's. What is everyone's opinion on this, so I can be a little more edjumacated in the matter?

[rcmodel]

Where the bullet ends up in relation to the rifling is dependent on three things.
* Seating depth.
* Chamber throat, or leade length.
* Bullet ogive shape.

It is possible to have two different loads with the same bullet weight have different OAL because of differences in bullet shape.

How much difference seating depth will effect accuracy is totally dependent on the load & the rifle. You will just have to experiment with OAL/seating depth in your rifle to see what it likes best.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[Sharps Shooter]

Howdy Kahouna and welcome to the forum.:)
You did right for a beginning reloader - adjust the COL to what it says in your manual(s). What you've heard about better accuracy resulting from the bullets almost touching, or touching the riflings is generally accepted, but in many cases is not true. Reloaders usually have to experiment with different bullets and different seating depths to find the right combination that produces the best accuracy for a particular rifle. There's no pat answer.
Those COLs listed in your Speer Manual are what Speer used in their tests. They are very good guidelines to go by when you're starting out. For one thing, what else do you have? You've already discovered that factory load COL's don't match the recommended COL's in your load manual(s). They seldom do. Even if the factory loads are topped with the same weight bullets you're using, unless the factory loads are topped with the same brand and type (BT, HP, PB, SP, RN or whatever) bullets, the factory load bullets will not be the same shape as the ones you're using. The bullets ogives will be different and it's the ogives that determine how close the bullets are to the riflings in your rifle.
The other reason why a new reloader should go by the COLs in their loading manual(s) is because, as I'm pretty sure you're aware, seating bullets too deep can raise pressures. So can seating bullets so they're tight up against the lands of your gun's riflings, but I don't think you don't need to worry about that right now.
At any rate, it sounds like you're doing fine for just starting out. Finding the optimum COL for the best accuracy will come as you get more familiar with the process. And it MIGHT be the COL listed in your manual(s) for that bullet.

[Kahouna]

Thanks guys! Makes sense to me. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't looking too far into it yet. We'll see what the range brings back and go from there.

[Coltdriver]

I can not encourage you strongly enough to determine your rifle actual chamber length first.

Each different bullet you use will affect the point at which the bullet touches the lands. You have to determine that point for each bullet.

I have only reloaded for a few years but I found out that some rilfes come with a shorter chamber than what the standard is. I loaded a set of 243 rounds for a Ruger and found that the chamber was shorter than what the manual called out for the col. The bullet was on the lands. No harm done but the brass was ruined.

Getting your rifle chamber length is easy to do, there are lots of very inexpensive ways to do this. Search this site and try one of them.

Once you know this then you can adjust your col for your rifle.

[Lennyjoe]

Also, bullet tips affect C.O.L. If your using a soft point and the lead is beat up a bit it will measure different.

I'd suggest getting a Stony Point set up and get accurate measurments on your chamber. Also get the bullet ogive measuring tool for precise C.O.L.

Welcome to the world of reloading. Initial fees are costly but in the long run you will save bookoo dollars on ammo!