Problem reloading for Ruger American

[earlselwyn]

I bought a Ruger American Rifle in 270 win a few weeks ago. Overall I'm happy with the gun. It is inexpensive and quite accurate with factory ammo. I started working on a hand load and discovered that if I used the maximum COAL (3.340")for sierra 130 gr soft points the bullet get crammed into the lands and grooves. Like a dumb @$$ I jammed the first one in without checking and it got stuck... yes it made a mess. Anyway, I've done some tinkering and it looks like max COAL for this gun is around 3.250". I checked multiple sources and COAL for 270 win is always listed at 3.340." My questions: is it normal for max COAL in factory made firearms to deviate this much from the reloading manuals? Has anyone else had this problem with a Ruger American? Is there something wrong with the gun?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Earl

 

[jwrowland77]

Yes because you don't have the same testing equipment as the individuals who did the testing for the manual. Each gun is different as regards to OAL even within the same company for the same caliber.

 

[earlselwyn]

I suspect you're right... but it seems the max COAL would be standardized on all mass produced rifles designed for a specific caliber. Anyone else have a comment?

 

[JLDickmon]

with what bullet?

even the ogive of the bullet can have a bearing on what OAL your particular rifle needs..

 

[rcmodel]

3.340" is SAAMI Max length for a .270 round to fit in a .270 magazine.

Different bullet ogive shapes that have come along since 1925 make that unrealistic for every bullet shape ever made to fit every chamber & rifling leade made in the last 75 years!!

Thats why, as handloaders, we need to do the work to figure out what our rifle & our bullet needs to be seated at to miss the rifling!!

Don't blame Ruger.
If they long throated the rifle to accept every .270 spier point and round nose bullet available to hand loaders then, or today at the MAX SAAMI 3.340" length??

Guess how many would shoot good at all?

Hint: It would only be one of the heavy round noses, and few or none of the spitzer and VLD's!

rc

 

[earlselwyn]

Thanks for the input. The bullets are 130 gr sierra boat tail soft points. Thanks again. -Earl