Problem with .223 COAL.

[Lovesbeer99]

I've been loading .223 for a few years and could not get the COAL consistent but I was using Lee dies so I just thought it was the dies. But now I'm using a Foster Benchrest die with micrometer and I'm still having the same problem. The cases range from 2.244 - 2.250. I'm using Sierra Match BT .69 rounds.

I'm thinking its the bullets. It looks like the metplates are not cut even so the COAL will be different. Any help? At one time I've seen a tool that cuts metplates to uniform but I don't see them around anymore.

 

[Tim the student]

I'd bet it was the bullets too.

Tried measuring to the ogive?

 

[Walkalong]

Yep, the base to the ogive is the important measurement. The OAL is unimportant as bullet lengths often vary a good bit. The good bullets will have a consistent ogive. They make tools for measuring this. Cheap and simple and on up.

 

[matrem]

Unless the OAL you're concerned with involves magazine or action length limits, the ogive is the critical measurement.

If, for instance, you're trying to load at 2.260 in an AR, and the rounds you set your die with happen to have a meplat trimmed shorter than some others in your batch, you can have problems. I've witnessed it.

Most seating dies don't use the "tip" to set the bullet, they use a point closer to the ogive.

As Walkalong stated, there are tools to measure. There are also meplat trimmers readily available for not much money.

 

[LAL357]

my bet is on the bullets i sort and measure from the ogive i couldnt believe the difference i box of bullet measured.

 

[243winxb]

Maximum Variation of COL by Press Types

The cases range from 2.244 - 2.250.

COL variation of .005" for single stage press to .010" for progressive is common.