Newtosavage
Member
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2015
- Messages
- 2,918
New to the forum and new reloader here.
Starting out very basic with the Lee Loader in .308. The simplicity and "one at a time" appeals to me since I've been shooting a muzzleloader for several years now. I have made about 100 rounds now and am enjoying the new hobby. Shot two 3" groups at 300 yards yesterday evening with my hand loads, so I must be doing something right.
But I still have a lot to learn. 1st question involves 125 grain Hornady Ballistic Tips. I want to use these for reduced load whitetail rounds, and have had excellent accuracy from them so far (including sub MOA groups at 100, 200 and 300 yards) but I'm struggling with seating depth and neck tension (or lack thereof).
If I build the round to the recommended COAL, the bullet basically falls into the case because I'm trying to seat it on the taper. It's a short bullet and tapers quickly. I've been building them longer than the COAL just to maintain some kind of neck tension, but it's still not nearly as tight a fit as the 150 grain Ballistic Tips I have loaded.
I have plenty of room to the lands if I seat the 125's shallow. Is it a problem if I'm using a 2.85" COAL when the books call for a 2.7" ? If I try to seat the round at 2.7", the bullet almost always falls into the case.
Again, no such issues at all with the 150 Nosler BT's. Just the 125's.
Thanks for the help.
Starting out very basic with the Lee Loader in .308. The simplicity and "one at a time" appeals to me since I've been shooting a muzzleloader for several years now. I have made about 100 rounds now and am enjoying the new hobby. Shot two 3" groups at 300 yards yesterday evening with my hand loads, so I must be doing something right.
But I still have a lot to learn. 1st question involves 125 grain Hornady Ballistic Tips. I want to use these for reduced load whitetail rounds, and have had excellent accuracy from them so far (including sub MOA groups at 100, 200 and 300 yards) but I'm struggling with seating depth and neck tension (or lack thereof).
If I build the round to the recommended COAL, the bullet basically falls into the case because I'm trying to seat it on the taper. It's a short bullet and tapers quickly. I've been building them longer than the COAL just to maintain some kind of neck tension, but it's still not nearly as tight a fit as the 150 grain Ballistic Tips I have loaded.
I have plenty of room to the lands if I seat the 125's shallow. Is it a problem if I'm using a 2.85" COAL when the books call for a 2.7" ? If I try to seat the round at 2.7", the bullet almost always falls into the case.
Again, no such issues at all with the 150 Nosler BT's. Just the 125's.
Thanks for the help.