IndispensableDestiny
Ultimate Member
I use a Hornady bullet comparator to set my seating dies, measuring from the case base to the ogive on the bullet. Today I finally broke out a new box of Lapua .308 brass and a box of 175 grain Sierra Match Kings. I planned on seating the bullets to about .015 from the lands on my rifle.
I decided to measure all the bullets in the box of 100, from the bullet base to the ogive. About half the box measured .660, a third .655, and the rest .657 or .658. I sorted them into three sets and used the .660 bullets to develop a new load.
I was a bit surprised at the variance. I understand that the bullets are made on multiple dies and then mixed together for packaging. I wouldn't have cared but the difference translated to the seated OAL (to the ogive). The "short" bullets seated to the longest OAL. That makes sense. Make a drawing and you'll see why.
Anyway, I'm taking Friday off to test my rounds.
I decided to measure all the bullets in the box of 100, from the bullet base to the ogive. About half the box measured .660, a third .655, and the rest .657 or .658. I sorted them into three sets and used the .660 bullets to develop a new load.
I was a bit surprised at the variance. I understand that the bullets are made on multiple dies and then mixed together for packaging. I wouldn't have cared but the difference translated to the seated OAL (to the ogive). The "short" bullets seated to the longest OAL. That makes sense. Make a drawing and you'll see why.
Anyway, I'm taking Friday off to test my rounds.