Seating Depth Question

[Clark33]

So I'm trying to work up a good handload for my 270 WSM using 140gr Accubonds.  I found that my max COAL for my rifle is 3.015" inches.  That would put me right on the lands.  Ideally I would want to start at .020 off the lands, here is the problem.  My rifles max magazine length is right about 2.860 inches.  So my question to all you experience reloaders is, what would you do in this situation?  Seat the bullet to the max magazine length and leave it there to get the minimum amount of bullet jump as possible?  I have been shooting Nosler Trophy Grade ammo which is seated to a COAL of 2.800.  That is leaving me with 0.215" of jump.  Seating at 2.860 would put me at 0.155" of jump.

Just seems a bit odd that I can't get near 0.020" off the lands.

Thanks

[jay.sharkbait]

That's what happens when you let attorneys chamber rifles.

I would stick with mag overall length and start development from there.

[BULLBLASTER]

If you want to use the mag seat there and start like jay said. If you don't mind single feeding them start at .02 off. You could also install a longer magazine in the rifle depending on brand also.
You don't always have to be right on or very close to the lands for great accuracy.

[Eric M]

 I would load 5 for max mag length and 5 at .020 off your lands. Load the ones that don't fit in the magazine in your chamber one at a time. Shoot for groups at 100 and see how much difference it makes. I think you're stuck with max mag length for hunting but it might be nice to see if the rifle is capable of better.

[jay.sharkbait]

I would load 5 for max mag length and 5 at .020 off your lands. Load the ones that don't fit in the magazine in your chamber one at a time. Shoot for groups at 100 and see how much difference it makes. I think you're stuck with max mag length for hunting but it might be nice to see if the rifle is capable of better.

I like this and would like to see the results.

[Hilltop123]

Same issue with my rifle. I chose the repeater over the single shot. Still capable of sub MOA.

[buckfvr]

I think you need to measure to the ogive with a comparitor  ,   then seat a bullet .020 off the lands, then measure coal.  You should find that you can seat the bullet much closer to the lands as the way you are measuring isnt indicative of how close to the lands you can be mostly by bullet design, rather than coal. 

Forget coal until you have measured to the lands and made a dummy .020 off the lands. 

[jay.sharkbait]

I think you need to measure to the ogive with a comparitor  ,   then seat a bullet .020 off the lands, then measure coal.  You should find that you can seat the bullet much closer to the lands as the way you are measuring isnt indicative of how close to the lands you can be mostly by bullet design, rather than coal. 

Forget coal until you have measured to the lands and made a dummy .020 off the lands.

I'm assuming the OP is using a Stoney Pt gauge or seating using a sized and trimmed case.

[buckfvr]

Id assume so also except for he is going by coal instead of ogive measurements........which is what is correctly used for determining off the lands measures.

[BULLBLASTER]

Id assume so also except for he is going by coal instead of ogive measurements........which is what is correctly used for determining off the lands measures.

Seems like he has already figured out his max length to the lands and is concerned with how and if it fits in a mag. Bto won't tell you if you are mag length.

[Ridge Hunter]

Just curios what rifle it is?

[buckfvr]

He is comparing coal of factory ammo to load manual max coal,  which can be exceeded and often is with vld type bullet design.  He needs to use a modified case and one of his bullets with hornadys tool and comparator body to measure to the lands, back it off .020, then see if it fits his mag.....measure to the ogive of the bullet, not oal.

Ive yet to see a magazine that wont accept more length than max manual coal.   

[dontgetcrabs]

He is comparing coal of factory ammo to load manual max coal,  which can be exceeded and often is with vld type bullet design.  He needs to use a modified case and one of his bullets with hornadys tool and comparator body to measure to the lands, back it off .020, then see if it fits his mag.....measure to the ogive of the bullet, not oal.

Ive yet to see a magazine that wont accept more length than max manual coal.

Re-read OP.

[jay.sharkbait]

Ive yet to see a magazine that wont accept more length than max manual coal.

Remington defense 308 and 300 mags (AI pattern) have this issue along with SR25's and every 700p that I've owned.

[Clark33]

I found where I am just touching the lands with 140 accubonds and it is 3.015"

The rifle is a custom build with krieger barrel and model 70 action.

Measured the COAL using the Frankford Armory gauge and also a sized brass with a 140 accu loaded long, chambered the dummy round, gave the same average of 3.015"

[CaNINE]

Clark33 - I wouldn't be too discouraged that you cannot seat your 140AB's close to the lands. Although it's true that many rifles shoot well with minimal freebore it's not the only way. It's very common for mag length to limit OAL to something less than MAX. This is way many shooters install an extended mag box such as a Wyatts to allow to extended seating depths.
Here's a recent example from one of my experiences. I wanted to try the new hornady 162 ELD-X in my Kimber Montana 280AI. The mag would only accomodate rounds loaded to a COAL that was 0.050 less than MAX. No worries. I loaded some at 0.055 to give a little margin, some at 0.070 and 0.100 just for kicks. As I fired these off through the chrono my groups improved and ES reduced with each increment in jump. I settled on the 0.100 seating depth which gave nearly half MOA accuracy and single digit ES. So seat those 140ABs at several depths and see what happens. You might be pleasantly suprised.

[Clark33]

Thanks for all the input guys!