C.O.A.L. question

[holdover]

I was checking the rounds I made and I found I had some inconsistency with the COAL. I had my Seating die set to 2258, I believe, Some of my rounds were shorter, I believe due to movement in the locking rings, ( I ordered new ones) Some measured 2248,2250. I was loading 69 gr SMKHPBT With 23.5 of Hodgons Cfee 223 powder.

I assume my rounds may lose some accuracy at best and was concerned about safety at worse. Im not sure if I have to pull all those bullets and reload them all or will they be safe to shoot?

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

Safe, most likely. Accuracy loss, maybe. COAL is more of a general guideline as if you were an ammo "manufacturer". Some of my handloads can be .020" of the lands. I wouldn't worry about it much. Doubt you're compressing powder unless you're pushing max charge.

 

[holdover]

No max charges, Im starting just above minimum. Thanks!

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

Did you measure your bullets and casings before loading them?

 

[holdover]

No. I didnt.

 

[Mosinitis]

You can see variations upto 0.015" within the same box of Sierra SMK's. Also variations in average COAL from box to box. If it fits in the magazine you are good to go. If you want to stay close to any specific value, you can get micrometer adjustable seating die and readjust for every different lot variation averages. All of the numbers in your post are a GO. Don't sweat it. The tips are not uniform, therefore variations. The tip doesn't come into contact with anything except the target, so it doesn't matter. Get yourself a bullet comparator, it will show the same or close COAL numbers.

 

[Mosinitis]

You show 0.010" difference. That's normal for HPBT. Even 0.015" variations will be ok. Consistent distance base to ogive matters somewhat. Consistent distance to tip doesn't. This should have been take away from the last thread.

 

[meketrefe]

you mention 2.258 that I supposed is measuring from the tip.
No two loads measure the same and specially when measured from the tip because the bullets might be a tad longer at the tip after forming and
dies do not seat the bullets from the tip but from the datum of the bullet.
If you want to get more accurate comparisons use a bullet gauge and take the delta as a reference possibly from a template/dummy round
that you know to be the accurate coal for that round.
variations of 5, 10 thou. are not a concern but if you have 1/8" that is a different story.

 

[holdover]

Thanks, right now I was primarily concerned with safety. I dont want to take my eye out!

 

[kev74]

As long as you're over the published minimum OAL, you're good to go.

 

[meketrefe]

As long as you're over the published minimum OAL, you're good to go.

Even if one was a tad below the minimum coal and max load it takes a lot more to blow up a case or a chamber. I would say ot is a very difficult task to do with cfe 223 because even compressed with a load hot enough the bullet cannot be seated deeper wo buldging the case.
When im in doubt os good to ask but specially if one os not too familiar with reloading or using faster powders that are less forgiving in terms of small variances or even mistakes.

 

[kev74]

Even if one was a tad below the minimum coal and max load it takes a lot more to blow up a case or a chamber. I would say ot is a very difficult task to do with cfe 223 because even compressed with a load hot enough the bullet cannot be seated deeper wo buldging the case.
When im in doubt os good to ask but specially if one os not too familiar with reloading or using faster powders that are less forgiving in terms of small variances or even mistakes.

I agree.

When in doubt, stick with the published recipe.

 

[Mosinitis]

To review (listed in order of importance):

1. Hollow point bullets have jagged tips. It will show up in large variations in a distance from base to tip of a loaded round.

2. Adjust the seating die so the longest (base to tip) round still fits in the magazine.

3. Distances from base of a loaded round to ogive will be the same or close. To measure that distance you need to use bullet comparator. It's not important for magazine length bullets such as Sierra 69's.

4. Since the tip of a round is not in contact with anything when the round is fired, COAL variations will not have any measurable effect on accuracy.

5. Don't worry about how this will effect safety. You are miles away from a point where bullet is so deep into the case, that safety concern should arise.

6. Just to mention. Bullets with plastic tips will show more consistent CAOL measurments because the tips are uniform. It's not something you need to pursue. They have other quirks.