bullet seating depth?

[logan]

I'm reloading a 300 win mag with barns 168 tsx btls. I'm using a hornady press and die. and my overall length is 2.920. to finish what i started i had to buy a new box of bullets. when i reloaded those i was getting 2.922-2.925. so i check every thing i could think of does anybody have any suggestions.

[wsmnut]

Are you using a bullet comparator for measuring?  Or are you
measuring the over all length?  I am going to guess you are using COL.
Bullet lengths vary, and since the tip doesn't engage the rifling, it's not
important unless your cartridge won't fit in the magazine.
     Find a comparator for .30 caliber and you'll be a lot more precise.

Good Luck

wsmnut

[Biggerhammer]

Is your die set up to seat off the tip or the ogive? You will always have that problem if your seating off the tip and measuring overall length. Get a comparator, measure off the ogive. Set it and forget it.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Agree'd..

Make the loaded cartridge fit in the magazine and move freely so it cycles through the action to chamber.

For the beginning reloader, I suggest that the OAL, is really a measurement from the case base to the ogive where it would contact the lands of the bore. Learn how to do this.  (Bullet comparator)   Backing off .005-.009" from the lands is a good place to start and will likely be quite close to the OAL (sammi) spec in the book.

That said, the barns 168 tsx is not a lead exposed bullet so measured bullet length should be quite consistent. (measure a bunch of the bullets and come up with an average length out of one lot/box.)

Your loaded cartridges should not vary more than +-.003".  If you're loading for hunting purposes and not long range sniping, then you'll never notice +-.005" difference having an effect on accuracy.

-Steve

[JackOfAllTrades]

Why is it that new reloaders must spend hard earned cash on premium bullets?  To the rest of the readers, ... Remington Power Points bulk packed at Cabelas are less than half the price to practice/learn with.

-Steve

[Biggerhammer]

Why is it that new reloaders must spend hard earned cash on premium bullets?  To the rest of the readers, ... Remington Power Points bulk packed at Cabelas are less than half the price to practice/learn with.

-Steve

What?? I'm supposed to be shooting something other than Barnes???   

[JackOfAllTrades]

No secret that you're not a beginner...

-Steve

[logan]

i did not think to measure the actual bullet. thanks for the info.