Bullet depth - Stoney point 30-06
10-30-2005, 08:22 AM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Posts: 505
RE: Bullet depth - Stoney point 30-06
The Stoney Point OAL gauge is a must for seriour reloaders. Case in point....My L61R Sako '06 has a real short freebore....My son's is quite a bit longer. Loading identical 165gr Sierra Game Kings my OAL is 3.114, his is 3.450. I hope you get the picture here.
I start at 50 thousandths off and work in 10 thousandths at a time til I find the sweet spot. Generally, you can tighten your groups 50% by taking the time to find the perfect OAL for your rifle bullet combination.
Now you take a Barnes XXX and these bullets are hugely long! The ogive is way back from a conventional bullet. The 165 grainers will not stabalize in my old Sako so I just gave up on them. If your rifle likes um....thats great. You should not be concerned with the depth being between the 1st and 2d groove. The only reason those groves are there are to reduce chamber pressure which allows you to bump the load up per Barnes instructions that came with the bullets. Good luck and regards, Rick.
I start at 50 thousandths off and work in 10 thousandths at a time til I find the sweet spot. Generally, you can tighten your groups 50% by taking the time to find the perfect OAL for your rifle bullet combination.
Now you take a Barnes XXX and these bullets are hugely long! The ogive is way back from a conventional bullet. The 165 grainers will not stabalize in my old Sako so I just gave up on them. If your rifle likes um....thats great. You should not be concerned with the depth being between the 1st and 2d groove. The only reason those groves are there are to reduce chamber pressure which allows you to bump the load up per Barnes instructions that came with the bullets. Good luck and regards, Rick.
