IndispensableDestiny
Ultimate Member
The data in the 9th edition Hornady reloading manual for .300 Blackout is screwy.
First, they show a maximum cartridge length of 1.400. The SAAMI spec is 1.368. They show trim length of 1.390, but the SAAMI minimum chamber length is 1.378. I've been trimming to 1.365.
For all 110 grain bullets, they give a loaded COAL of 2.050. The 110 grain spire point is .820 long. So, .820 - (2.050 - 1.390) = .16 seating depth. That's a bit short for a .308 caliber bullet, is it not? Even if crimped? Using my 1.365 trim length, it's only .14 deep.
I'm thinking of using a COAL of 1.935 which will yield a seating depth of .25. Not quite a full caliber, but I think it's ok. If I go much shorter, I'd be compressing the powder -- Vihtavuori N110.
Any opinions?
First, they show a maximum cartridge length of 1.400. The SAAMI spec is 1.368. They show trim length of 1.390, but the SAAMI minimum chamber length is 1.378. I've been trimming to 1.365.
For all 110 grain bullets, they give a loaded COAL of 2.050. The 110 grain spire point is .820 long. So, .820 - (2.050 - 1.390) = .16 seating depth. That's a bit short for a .308 caliber bullet, is it not? Even if crimped? Using my 1.365 trim length, it's only .14 deep.
I'm thinking of using a COAL of 1.935 which will yield a seating depth of .25. Not quite a full caliber, but I think it's ok. If I go much shorter, I'd be compressing the powder -- Vihtavuori N110.
Any opinions?