.308 OAL length questions

[H1500308]

Just finished my first batch of .308

Particulars-

Federal Brass
Hornaday 150g Interlock BTSP

41.0g H4895 (Listed as starting load)

Brass was full length sized and trimmed.

Hodgdon and Lee data lists 2.80 as max and min OAL. I seated these bullets with the cannelure completely exposed and came up with an OAL of 2.78.

What gives? Are these loads safe to use or should I pull and start over. They are for a Howa bolt action.

 

[H1500308]

Just double checked my Lyman manual. It lists 2.685 as an OAL for 150g jacketed SP but doesn't have info for H4895.

 

[cdrt]

As long as the bullet is not hitting the rifling when you chamber the round, it should be okay. A little on the long side, but that's a starting load in my manual.

 

[USSR]

H1500308,

The OAL is not critical, don't sweat it.

Don

 

[rcmodel]

Hornady lists that bullet with an OAL of 2.735".
I assume that would be with the cannelure mostly inside the case where it would normally be.

They also list a Starting load load of H-4895 as 37.2 and a Max of 44.0.

If you are going to use generic load data like Lee, or Hodgdon (they don't even list a Hornady 150, only a Nosler) you can't be too upset if the listed OAL is different.

IMHO: If you want to load Hornady bullets, you need to get a Hornady loading manual. They often use a different bullet shape then most others, and they sometimes have a longer bearing surface.

rcmodel