I've reloaded some .223 from the specs of the Speer manual, and the OAL is stated as 2.215 as tested. I looked in the Lyman manual and they call out 2.260 OAL...what the heck am I missing? That's a BIG difference! 
55gr btw
55gr btw
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Help Support TNDeer:
Different specs between manuals ?
- Thread starter MUP
- Start date
Model70Man
Well-Known Member
Many times you will see .223 AR and .223 Bolt action. That could be the difference in length.
KPH
Well-Known Member
It will also depend on what bullet is used being different shapes. There may be some other factors
KPH said:
What he said. A different ogive will cause the bullet to contact the lands at different lengths, even within the same weights. But remember, the COAL in manuals is really only a "suggestion" based on a SAAMI spec chamber.
rdl65
Well-Known Member
The manuals are all printed on the safe side. OAL is suggested at a certain length because it is the safest, and feeds the best for all rifles. If a cartridge will feed reliably and give good accuracy that is the OAL you need to load at.
Thanks guys. I checked the OAL on the factory ammo I have and it matched the Speer specs, so that's what I went with originally.
Just wondering, what is the optimal distance to strive for between bullet and land anyway? Is it just different for different loads and barrels?
Every bullet is different. I think Berger bullets prefer to be crammed into he lands. Personally I prefer just off the lands. And what works in one gun may not work in another
How do you adjust for each particular barrel land distance? Just drop the loaded bullet into the chamber and measure till it seats or what?
rdl65
Well-Known Member
Read this link, it will help you in finding your seating depth.
http://blog.sinclairintl.com/2009/03/26 ... ing-depth/
http://blog.sinclairintl.com/2009/03/26 ... ing-depth/
hornaday bullet comparator
hornaday col gauge
as a rule i find .010 off is the ticket
every rifle and every bullet is different
advantages of seating out to land
improved accuracy
increased case capacity ( for those that tip the can)
disadvantages ( for some)
in short actions it may not fit in the magazine of the rifle
thus have a 2 shot rifle one chambered one on feed ramp
i have killed multiple ( 3 at a time) does like this heck even with a single shot
Im my rifles now i could care less what the col states in the book using the tools above i just check bullet to rifle and go from there
hornaday col gauge
as a rule i find .010 off is the ticket
every rifle and every bullet is different
advantages of seating out to land
improved accuracy
increased case capacity ( for those that tip the can)
disadvantages ( for some)
in short actions it may not fit in the magazine of the rifle
thus have a 2 shot rifle one chambered one on feed ramp
i have killed multiple ( 3 at a time) does like this heck even with a single shot
Im my rifles now i could care less what the col states in the book using the tools above i just check bullet to rifle and go from there
Thanks again guys. I'm learning more every day. 
If you don't have the tools mentioned above you can seat a bullet on the long side and in a bolt gun you pull the shell in and work the bolt. If it closes tight or won't close at all keep running your bullet down. You can also look at your bullet and see the lands marks
Huntaholic
Well-Known Member
redneck way: take a case fired in that rifle, slightly bend the case neck so it will hold a bullet firmly. Insert bullet but leave long, using a lighter or match, smoke the bullet till its coated in soot and slowly chamber and remove the round. You should see the land marks on the bullet. Repeat this procedure with a couple more cases and bullets and measure the lengths. This will get you the distance to lands. Some folks load at 10 off, I typically load at 5+ a tad.
Thanks again for the help folks!
Huntaholic said:
Yup, that's how I do it. A marker also works instead of smoke, and I have done it both ways. Make sure to do it several times and with a couple of different bullets to eliminate variables in ogive, etc.
