- Bullet OAL = 1.302"
- Breech to base depth = 1.608"
- Max COAL = 2.910"
- COAL with brass just grabbing above the last grease groove = 2.860"
Bullet Seating Depth vs Max COAL
-
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Tue May 29, 2018 3:39 pm
Bullet Seating Depth vs Max COAL
I have determined what my COAL is for my Shiloh 40-65 and a 416 grain bullet I am working up as explained here: https://www.shilohrifle.com/forums/view ... 40#p324305. Unfortunately if I seat the bullet to reach the COAL the brass ends right in a grease groove which leaves the bullet very loose after crimping. I would suspect loading to the max COAL would proved the most accuracy but for field use I don't like having this groove exposed and also don't want to end up with a follow up shot where the chamber was just a bit too dirty for the cartridge to chamber. In this case if I reduce the COAL by 0.05" does it matter, is this greatly detrimental to accuracy or causes other issues? Please advice, Thanks.
- Don McDowell
- Posts: 7644
- Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:04 pm
- Location: Ft. Laramie Wy
- Contact:
Re: Bullet Seating Depth vs Max COAL
Let the rifle and the target answer that question
AKA Donny Ray Rockslinger
- powderburner
- Posts: 2990
- Joined: Sat May 24, 2003 12:23 am
- Location: elko nv.
Re: Bullet Seating Depth vs Max COAL
For field use you want dependable. Shorten it up.
You are not clear what you are doing but mostly field means hunting so seat it so it drops in and work on 200 yard accuracy.
You are not clear what you are doing but mostly field means hunting so seat it so it drops in and work on 200 yard accuracy.
Dean Becker
only one gun and they are 74 s
3rd asst. flunky,high desert chapter F.E.S.
MYWEIGH scale merchant
reclining member of O-G-A-N-T
only one gun and they are 74 s
3rd asst. flunky,high desert chapter F.E.S.
MYWEIGH scale merchant
reclining member of O-G-A-N-T
- Don McDowell
- Posts: 7644
- Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:04 pm
- Location: Ft. Laramie Wy
- Contact:
- Lumpy Grits
- Posts: 7680
- Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2003 7:58 pm
- Location: Springfield, Missouri-U.S.A. Earth
Re: Bullet Seating Depth vs Max COAL
No need to crimp
"Hav'n you along, is like loose'n two good men"
-
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Tue May 29, 2018 3:39 pm
Re: Bullet Seating Depth vs Max COAL
On the topic of crimping I could use some further advice. I am now using fire formed Starline brass. I am not full sizing the brass but am using the neck expander die to just open up the lip of the brass. This allows for the bullet to easily slide in. The crimp die seems to lock in the bullet, note it is still loose, i.e. I can twist the bullet in the case but it does not easily pull out.
Also field use to me means hunting and/or plinking at random stuff, not bench target practice.
Also field use to me means hunting and/or plinking at random stuff, not bench target practice.
- Don McDowell
- Posts: 7644
- Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:04 pm
- Location: Ft. Laramie Wy
- Contact:
Re: Bullet Seating Depth vs Max COAL
The last thing you want is to reach to your cartridge belt for a round and find just a primed and charged case
For hunting purposes and contrary to popular internet wisdom. Full length sizing , using good neck tension, using an expander die to ensure good neck tension, and a slight crimp will assure the bullet stays put, and yet can/will deliver target accuracy.
For hunting purposes and contrary to popular internet wisdom. Full length sizing , using good neck tension, using an expander die to ensure good neck tension, and a slight crimp will assure the bullet stays put, and yet can/will deliver target accuracy.
AKA Donny Ray Rockslinger
-
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2021 6:53 pm
Re: Bullet Seating Depth vs Max COAL
Personally, I've found better accuracy with a light crimp on my handloads.
- Lumpy Grits
- Posts: 7680
- Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2003 7:58 pm
- Location: Springfield, Missouri-U.S.A. Earth
Re: Bullet Seating Depth vs Max COAL
OP, have you annealed the case necks?
"Hav'n you along, is like loose'n two good men"
-
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Tue May 29, 2018 3:39 pm
Re: Bullet Seating Depth vs Max COAL
I have not annealed the case necks.
- bpcr shooter
- Posts: 803
- Joined: Sun Feb 04, 2018 5:30 pm
- Location: Madison, Wi
Re: Bullet Seating Depth vs Max COAL
I use the FL die or a taper crimp die for hunting loads to get tension in the next driving band. I just keep mine in a zip lock bag to keep them clean, I dont feel its that necessary to keep them out in the weather, its not like your going to be putting multiple rounds down range at a running animal with a single shot rifle. Make your load/gun as accurate as you can and make the first shot count. I see it as muzzle loader hunting.....ya only get one. good luck
matt
matt
NMLRA Member
Winnequah Gun Club Member (Lodi, Wi)
WIFORCE Member
SCI Member
Winnequah Gun Club Member (Lodi, Wi)
WIFORCE Member
SCI Member
-
- Posts: 1962
- Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2007 10:07 am
- Location: Central Wi
Re: Bullet Seating Depth vs Max COAL
YEars ago, hunting deer in the North Woods of WI with my '86 Win 45-70. I depended on the first carefully delivered shot.
even tho I had more rounds in the magazine.
beltfed/arnie
even tho I had more rounds in the magazine.
beltfed/arnie
-
- Posts: 1610
- Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 1:20 pm
Re: Bullet Seating Depth vs Max COAL
Just use neck tension instead of a crimp. A crimp without neck tension isn't very useful, with the bullet loose. Seems like you're trying to combine target loads with hunting ammunition, and making the wrong combination.
-
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Wed Mar 25, 2020 12:42 pm
Re: Bullet Seating Depth vs Max COAL
Anneal your brass (Starline recommends this if using BP), neck size and use an appropriate expander for neck tension to hold the bullet. For my 40-50SBN I use a 41 mag sizing die to neck size and a .4105 expander to get the tension I need. Like you I also put a small flare on the case mouth to seat the bullet. I don't crimp to remove it.
It works for me<
Steve
It works for me<
Steve