Welcome to AR10T.com, the world's first forum dedicated to AR-10™ rifles .  We invite you to JOIN our friendly firearms enthusiast forum.

Cartridge Overall Length differences.

  • Posts: 2122
  • Thank you received: 102

Replied by BUILDING MY SASS on topic Re: Cartridge Overall Length differences.

Red Scout it correct...I forgot to add a few things...Learning to "Reload" is the easy part...Working for Precise Loads for Maximum Accuracy is a "WHOLE OTHER GAME"...My loads do well at 1 to 300 yards...No Pin Point...but they would do the job...Each AR-10 is different...what works in mine...might not work in yours...I know it sounds weird...but True none the less...In the Reloading category there are some threads that have some very good places to start...as far as bullets, powder, brass, primers, and so on...Each has their own favorites...if you are just looking to take a "Hog Head"... :evil: :whistle:
Then the basic loads mentioned will do the job...Remember the Most Important Part...DO NOT USE MAX LOADS...it can and will damage your rifle...
BMS
It is better to have and not need, than need and not have.

If you think it is time to bury your guns, it is time to dig them up....


"Fight back! Whenever you are offered violence, fight back! The aggressor does not fear the law, so he must be taught to fear you. Whatever the risk, and at whatever...
The following user(s) said Thank You: Moby
11 years 8 months ago #12193

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Posts: 232
  • Thank you received: 21

Replied by Moby on topic Re: Cartridge Overall Length differences.

Understood.
I purchased a log book to record loads, bullets, etc and results.
I cannot get the .308 case horder from Hornady until 9/18 (backorder)
As I mentioned I need enough range/reloading time to nail a 5" group at 400 yards. (4" if I can get there) Once I get that down I'll work on reaching out farther.
11 years 8 months ago #12195

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Posts: 2122
  • Thank you received: 102

Replied by BUILDING MY SASS on topic Re: Cartridge Overall Length differences.

Perfect example of what I mean....IMR 4895
43.6 gr...Rocks at 100 yards...200 not to bad...300 all over the place...
42.5...sucks at 100 yards....Rocks at 300...
Using 150 gr Hornady FMJ....
I just haven't had the time to pin point the "Sweet Spot" between them....so I have different boxes...LOL... :S
I don't shoot to many reloads...I Prefer to Feed my Baby Factory Food.... :whistle:
168 gr Hornady A-Max...but the cost is going through the roof... :pinch: ;)
Especially if she is Hungry and my Finger is Itching.... :dry:
BMS
It is better to have and not need, than need and not have.

If you think it is time to bury your guns, it is time to dig them up....


"Fight back! Whenever you are offered violence, fight back! The aggressor does not fear the law, so he must be taught to fear you. Whatever the risk, and at whatever...
Last edit: 11 years 8 months ago by BUILDING MY SASS.
11 years 8 months ago #12204

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Posts: 305
  • Thank you received: 42

Replied by zfk55 on topic Cartridge Overall Length differences.

COL. A misleading term. A true cartride OAL can only be based on projectiles that are absolutely identical in all respects, IE: A FMJ, not hollowpointed.
The correct seat depth for your rifle depends (begins) specifically on the point at which the ogive contacts the lands/grooves of your barrel. That has little if anything to do with the base to tip measurement of your loaded cartridge.

This is an excerpt from my Dad's discussion of reloading for beginners.

To determine proper seat depth for any given projectile, keep in mind that the measurement is only valid when the contact of the bullet's ogive and the lands/grooves is determined.
Your manual says OAL is 3.020?... maybe for that bullet that they used, but only for that bullet profile, not all others. Projectile profiles vary from mfg to mfg.and application to application. So how do you do it?

There are any number of ways, but I've always used the same methodology. Take a sized, empty and unprimed, uncharged case, start a bullet into the case mouth leaving it protruding further than is apparently correct. Place it in the rifle's chamber by hand, ease the bolt into full battery and "smartly" eject it. Measure that OAL and seat it 2 to 4 thousandths deeper. This is a good start. Later, when you've become more deeply involved in data gathering, you may want to play with seat depths to find the sweet spot for your cartridge. I have specifics I use regularly.
Yes, there are other ways. If you like your way better .......use it.
Once you determine your chambered OAL for that bullet, screw your seating die down until the mouth of an empty case stops the descent and back it out a full turn. Lock the die in place and back out the seater. Note that a good seating die will index on the ogive, not on the tip of the bullet.

That method is only going to work for one bullet profile, and it its a hollow point its not going to be accurate anway since few meplats are the same even in the same box. Your bullet seater should be indexed behind the tip ahead of the ogive, not on the tip of the bullet. A Sierra 175 MK is not going to be the same as a Berger 175 VLD at all. Both should index on an area ahead of the ogive, but not all ogives are the same distance from either the case mouth or the bullet tip. If you use just the tip you're going to have two completely different freebores for the same caliber, weight and charge with likely two different results.

Now measure it and decide how far off the lands you want to begin. Note that figure and begin working out your load, adjusting seat depth as you go. But remember that was only for that bullet profile. Change profiles and you're back to square one.
P. St.Marie


Latigo
Latigo

"When futile negotiating is done, when the corrupt politicians will not hear, when the voice of the citizens is ignored you will then face me under a different and final circumstance."

Col. Michael Hoare
The following user(s) said Thank You: Moby
Last edit: 11 years 5 months ago by zfk55.
11 years 5 months ago #12949

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Posts: 2122
  • Thank you received: 102

Replied by BUILDING MY SASS on topic Cartridge Overall Length differences.

:I-agree:
I need to come spend a week or two with you and your dad... :bow:
I know I would learn alot more than I think I know.... :whistle:
I use factory rounds of the same load type and my Manual to determine what length every thing needs to be...so far...No problems other than stated...time to find the Sweet Spot....I am looking forward to using the R-15 at 42.5 as your father suggested a long time ago for the Wilson...or was that you... :pinch: ...dang old age...CRS....anymore... :banghead: :laugh: :cheers:
BMS
It is better to have and not need, than need and not have.

If you think it is time to bury your guns, it is time to dig them up....


"Fight back! Whenever you are offered violence, fight back! The aggressor does not fear the law, so he must be taught to fear you. Whatever the risk, and at whatever...
11 years 5 months ago #12951

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Posts: 1238
  • Thank you received: 171

Replied by 13fcolt on topic Cartridge Overall Length differences.


Roger that. I learn something just damn near every time he posts.


Whats the right way to say ogive ? I hear it oh-jive and oh-give interchangeably, sometimes in the same conversation.
ArmaLite Super SASS for sale W/ extras. PM for details.
11 years 5 months ago #12952

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Posts: 232
  • Thank you received: 21

Replied by Moby on topic Cartridge Overall Length differences.

Sir thank you for the wealth of information. I am new to the long range sport of shooting and the AR 10 .308 platform. You've just given me a tremendous amount of information to research and process. I've 180 rounds through my Ar and have not yet reloaded a single cartridge. I have everything to do so, except proper knowhow. My thought is the proper slow learning curve will put me closer to small groups at long range faster.

You certainly have a wealth in info.


Last edit: 11 years 5 months ago by Moby.
11 years 5 months ago #12954

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Show 'em Off!

Add your rifle to the AR-10 Photo Thread!