More bullet seating questions

Since none of my manuals list a COL and I can't find a COL on the internet I have some more questions.

I have read on here and in a few manuals that you can find a good COL by starting a bullet into an uncharged and unprimed case and chambering it. So I did that, and measured the COL, it was 3.247". So if I seat the bullets so that the COL is 3.237" will that be okay? If not what is recommended?

The bullet is a Sierra 165gr. hollow point boat-tail in a 30-06.

Now my question about powder charges. My Lyman manual says 165gr. jacketed bullet, and that is as specific as it gets. Shouldn't it specify the shape of the bullet? The Reloaders Bible I have says the bullet maker, bullet weight, shape, and then the powder and charge. Should I use the 165gr. data from Lyman without worry?

You should if you start with the listed starting load and work up.

rcmodel

I know to start with the starting load, but I don't know if that load is okay for my bullet.

The load in the Lyman manual is for 165gr. jacketed bullets. The bullet I am using is 165gr. jacketed, but is a boat tail. I don't know if that has any effect, but I want to be safe.

My Lyman manual says 165gr. jacketed bullet, and that is as specific as it gets. Shouldn't it specify the shape of the bullet? The Reloaders Bible I have says the bullet maker, bullet weight, shape, and then the powder and charge. Should I use the 165gr. data from Lyman without worry?

As long as you are using a starting load with the same weight bullet, the shape of the bullet doesn't matter.

Don

Is my method of finding the bullet seating depth sound? Chamber long round, subtract .010" to .020" from that and set die.

Is my method of finding the bullet seating depth sound? Chamber long round, subtract .010" to .020" from that and set die.

If the bullet didn't stick in the lands and pull out ever so slightly, then it may give you a cartridge that is 0.010 or 0.020 off the lands. However, it may be too long to fit your magazine. SAAMI specs are derived from the average length that fits in the average rifle magazine.

The COL is only a guideline, but shortening it should be done with the sound reloading knowldge that is does increase pressure. It is more significant to pressure in pistols than in rifles.

The Hodgdon data site has COL's listed, and if you e-mail data to yourself, it will also includes the primer that was used.

Here is what might be of some help. I load the Sierra 165 grain BTHP using 60 grains of H4831SC. My COL is 3.236 to 3.238. and they are fired in a Browning A-bolt .30-06...

Sierra 5th edition manual lists the 165gr. HPBT #2140 at a C.O.L. at 3.185" and the 165gr SBT spire point at 3.330" for a 30-06 cartridge tested in a Savage bolt action model 116.

Now my question about powder charges. My Lyman manual says 165gr. jacketed bullet, and that is as specific as it gets. Shouldn't it specify the shape of the bullet? The Reloaders Bible I have says the bullet maker, bullet weight, shape, and then the powder and charge. Should I use the 165gr. data from Lyman without worry?

My Lyman # 47 & 48 show the bullet type and brand by wgt in the header for each cartridge. The load data box also shows a COL that the data was developed at. My Lyman from the mid-late 60s has been on "loan" to the wifes nephew for better then 10 years but, I seem remember it showing the bullet type and COL too.


To find the leade in your rifle load a dummy cartridge to the SAAMI max COL and color the ogive with a magic marker. Chamber the dummy and carefully extract it looking for marks in the ink from the rifleing. If marks show, seat it 1/4 turn deeper and recheck. When the marks in the rifleing disapear you are "just at" the leade. You can now adjust deeper or into the lands as you wish, or stay where you are. Just remember to work up your load with the bullet at the desired COL. Changing it, after work up especially if you move closer to or into the leade will possibly raise pressures.