rtaylor Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 I've just started reloading .243 and I'm getting inconsistent length on each round. I've set the seating die and locked it off, but the problem seems to be in the bullet heads. I'm using 100gr speer soft points. Measuring half a dozen heads they are all slightly different, which I assume would equate to the difference in the OAL. I would guess with the lead tips being exposed some get knocked in the box. Does anyone else get this and how can I work around it? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeker Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 (edited) Measure to the ogive ... a bullets diameter is likely to be far more consistent than it's length .. www.bergerbullets.com/effects-of-cartridge-over-all-length-coal-and-cartridge-base-to-ogive-cbto-part-2/ Edited October 13, 2014 by seeker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted October 14, 2014 Report Share Posted October 14, 2014 You cannot go on OAL measured from the bullet tip to the bottom of the case. As you have found out each bullet will not be exactly the same length. You should really use tool for measuring from the "ogive" they are not that expensive. Have a look at the ones that look like a nut with different size holes in the flats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtaylor Posted October 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2014 Ok cheers I'll have a look. So does a seating die press on the jacketed part of the head rather than the tip? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeker Posted October 14, 2014 Report Share Posted October 14, 2014 Ok cheers I'll have a look. So does a seating die press on the jacketed part of the head rather than the tip? Probably depends on the make of die, shape of the contact surface and shape of the bullet ... Try painting the bullet with a magic marker and seeing if the seating die leaves a mark? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggiegun Posted October 14, 2014 Report Share Posted October 14, 2014 Ok cheers I'll have a look. So does a seating die press on the jacketed part of the head rather than the tip? Yes it does. http://www.midwayuk.com/Hornady-Lock-N-Load-Bullet-Comparator-Basic-Set-with-6-Inserts You will need one of these to measure to the ogive http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/manuals-current/metalic-reloading/LNL-OAL-Gauges.pdf And one of these so you know what lenght to make your cartridge too Loads of video's on you tube Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted October 14, 2014 Report Share Posted October 14, 2014 http://www.larrywillis.com/OAL.html check this one out too. A bit more info for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zx10mike Posted October 14, 2014 Report Share Posted October 14, 2014 you could trim the meplats but that will reduce your bc unless you point after.not cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted October 14, 2014 Report Share Posted October 14, 2014 you could trim the meplats but that will reduce your bc unless you point after.not cheap. not sure that's a good idea for someone thats unsure about "OAL" Sorry if I sound patronising to the original poster by that comment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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