I'm hoping someone can walk me through this. What is the calculation I would have to make in order to calculate the amount of freebore that I want to have in my finished rifle?

Essentially what am I going to ask my gunsmith to do.

Here is what I want in words.

I want to end up with a .308 that when 180gr and 165gr bullets are loaded to the lands, the bullets will fit in the magazine. That would be for most bullets not all.

Does anyone know the equation for this calculation so I can ensure there is no miscommunication between the smith and me.

Thanks

Tom

Here is what I've been presented with.

Loading a short action cartridge, namely the .308 into a long action. While I see how this would help in some regards because if the distance to the lands is a bit long then the bullet will still fit in the action, I'm not seeing how this is the appropriate thing to go with.

The difference in weight is only 4oz. If this truly creates a safer scenario I will consider it. Otherwise I would prefer the shorter action, with a properly freebored barrel to load up 165 and 180 grain bullets to the lands and still fit the cartridges in the magazine.

Thoughts?

Where are you hardcore reloaders and rifle enthusiasts?

I'm building my go-to rig right now and really want to have this planned out perfectly. This is the last rifle I'll be buying/building for the foreseeable future. I have a little one on the way and this is pretty much it.

Tom

Anybody want to chime in here, on my last two posts?

Tom

I always seat bullets as far out as possible as long as it fits in the magazine and feeds reliably.

Tom, sent you a PM. I have done some research with my gunsmith and sent you ideas.

My suggestion is first buy the gun of choice. See how bad or good the chamber is from the get go. Pick out the most probable bullet you will shoot. Lets say, a 165gr bullistic tip. See what the furthest out you can load and still fit in the mag. Should be around 2.85". I suggest then loading some dumby shells to 2.8", (max SAAMI specs) Take your fireformed brass and bullet combo to a gunsmith, and tell him you want be able to touch the lands with this combo. That way, with 2.8" you can shoot most if not all factory ammo, but now you have the space in your mag to customize.

Lots of good articles about COL. Seems guns generally has 2 sweetspots, and not always right to the lands.

I have to seat my 300 saum to fit the mag which puts the bullet well off the lands.