Question on C.O.A.L. Chamber too long?

[timberghost72]

I have a question, or I guess I need advice on how to set my C.O.A.L. as I think my chamber is too long. Or at least longer than most rifles.

Here is what I have:
Remington 700 BDL 24" in 30-06

I am loading Barnes 165gr TSX bullets. In past I have loaded strictly from the Barnes manual and set my C.O.A.L. to 3.218" and I have not had many issues with this load. I recently bought a Hornady overall length gauge with comparator set. I have measured for my max overall length to the lands and I am getting a measurement of 3.41" (to tip of bullet) or 2.83" to ogive.
I took 10 measurements of each and averaged it out to get these numbers. I am 100% confident I am doing this correctly as I have already done this with my 300 WSM and specs come out exactly as the Barnes manual recomends 

So given these numbers and seating the bullet .050" off the lands, my overall length would be 3.36" (2.78" to ogive).

As stated earlier,I've been loading at 3.218" (recommended book length) so that would be giving me a jump of .192" total which is a long ways. 

Should I set my length at the measurement of .050" off the lands @ 3.36" or go by the book? This is a big difference so not sure what to do.

I loaded a dummy round (no powder or primer) to 3.36" and it chambered ok and did not push the bullet further into the case.
So this would suggest it would be ok to seat my bullets at this spec even though it is quite a bit longer than suggested. The bullet just looks like it is not in far enough  .

Here are some pics.
The first one is compared to book length of 3.218"  to max length (touching lands) at 3.41"
The second is compared to  book length of 3.218" to .050" off the lands at 3.36"

Thanks for any help and suggestions.

Tony

[Jonnyjammer]

A lot of loaders say the .04 off is the magic number but some still go closer.You will obviously have to work the powder up because the more you move it out and not touching the lands or even to close to it you will lose velocity.Good luck and this is just my opinion. 

Most all of my newer rifles are cut long. .150 or even more.All of mine are better with the longer coal.

Also it would be best if you use a chrono.Dont know if you have one or not.

[timberghost72]

Yeah I have plans to get a chrono but I didn't anticipate this issue. Powder was going to be my next question once I figure out the C.O.A.L. I will be going by past recommendations of powder loading and looking for pressure issues. I have my 300 WSM figured out pretty good (for hunting anyways) by going just by the manual specs and it is more accurate on the lower charge rate. Once I get a chrono, i will get to play with this much more.

[Jonnyjammer]

Its fun to figure it out especially when you end up with a sub moa cheaper scale rifle from it.Good luck and keep this thread going with your progress this gets brought up often but the threads always die after a short time.  When you load out your COAL about .04 out you should be with a 30-06 book max load about the velocity of say a .308 max load or close to it.At least thats what I have found.

[Jason]

The magazines are the limiting factors for coal in most of my rifles that I load for. I load them as long as I can and leave just a little bit of room so the cartridges aren't dragging as they move up.

[Jonnyjammer]

 

[timberghost72]

I have about 1/4" of magazine length over max C.O.A.L. so I'm lucky with that. Cost is my limiting factor in shooting alot but I really like the variables in reloading and trying to figure it all out past the "just loading to make it work". I need to buy a bolt action rifle that I can shoot alot more for less money.

[Curly]

For some reason tsx bullets usually do well with more jump than some other bullets might like.  Barnes recommends 0.050 jump to start with.  I'd probably work up a load at that length and then adjust seating depth from there to fine tune it.

[Jonnyjammer]

I wonder why.  does the tsx have a different shape than others.Where did this info come from or is it your specific set up your referring to?Ive been wanting to check these out in .300 win mag.Thanks in advance.

[2labs]

I wonder why.  does the tsx have a different shape than others.Where did this info come from or is it your specific set up your referring to?Ive been wanting to check these out in .300 win mag.Thanks in advance.

Yea they are very long bullet and have a lot hanging out past the Ogive.

[Jonnyjammer]

ok i looked into it a little just now,Part of the reasoning for the longer jump is the fact that they build up a lot more pressure do to fouling and such.It takes more for them to clear the barrel is what i read,like i said i looked very little just now and found a few articles on it.Anyone see it differently?

[Hilltop123]

Bullet Ogive and magazine length are the limiting factor in my 700 CDL. No two bullet brands that I have found are the same ogive.

[Jonnyjammer]

How long have you been reloading?
Sorry this was for all that posted in this thread.I just want to see that the ones giving advice actually know what they are saying lol.No offense to anyone either so please dont take none.I posted so I will say first that I have only been reloading for about 10 years and I am still learning from the new loaders and the ones that pioneered it. 

[Hilltop123]

Why? Did Ogive throw you?

[Jonnyjammer]

Why? Did Ogive throw you?

No it did not.the part that threw me was you saying it to begin with.