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Box from Sinclair's/Brownell's arrived this morning and I can finally get some test loads done for my new barrel.

Using a Stoney point gauge and a comparator on my callipers, I measured the average OAL as 54.215 for 175gn SMK's and 54.206 for 155gn SMK's. Only .009 difference between the two which I thought would make setting up the LEE bullet seater easy.

I managed to get the seater to load the 155's at OAL 54.175 but the 175's at the same setting is loading at OAL 54.350.

I ran the 175 through the rifle (no primer/powder) and the bolt closed easily. This has confused me as I though the bolt would either not close or be stiff.

I am now confused and questioning the whole procedure.
Any ideas?

DM

Where is the lee seater stem setting the oal from? Ogive or tip?

Dangermouse wrote:Box from Sinclair's/Brownell's arrived this morning and I can finally get some test loads done for my new barrel.

Using a Stoney point gauge and a comparator on my callipers, I measured the average OAL as 54.215 for 175gn SMK's and 54.206 for 155gn SMK's. Only .009 difference between the two which I thought would make setting up the LEE bullet seater easy.

I managed to get the seater to load the 155's at OAL 54.175 but the 175's at the same setting is loading at OAL 54.350.

I ran the 175 through the rifle (no primer/powder) and the bolt closed easily. This has confused me as I though the bolt would either not close or be stiff.

How many bullets did you try in the OAL gauge? I usually try 5 bullets and take 3 measurements to give me 15 numbers to work from. Not all bullets from the same box are equal...

Great minds think a like, as above I got the average from 5 rounds of each measured twice.

Measuring to the ogive but do not know how the Lee seater works. I do know it's a real pain to set up!

I have a couple of Lee's at home I used to use, I just start long and screw it in slowly until I am 20 thou over, do a few and measure them, if the 20 thou off is consistent I wind in another 10 and repeat so I am working with an average over say 10 rounds.

Just remember to check they are all fully seated before you drop them into the box!

Are you measuring to the ogive aren't you?

Yes, measuring to ogive.
Having re read the instructions on the Stoney point, they recommend a jump between .020 and .040 thou.
That is going to be a real pain to achieve with the Lee seater's.

I also purchased a case cutter but neglected to get the .308 cartridge holder. I am going to have to put another order in, perhaps I will get a another seater.

Just screw it in a bit at a time and it should be OK, only problem is Lee dies use a plain nut with an 'O' ring to lock it which I have never rated, best investment you can make is lock nut that has a grub screw in it so you can lock the nut to the threaded barrel, so you always screw it in to the same place, something which is all but impossible with the standard system. You can either pick up an after market nut that locks, or drill and tap the existing to take a grub screw that tightens onto the thread with something soft to protect the thread.

EDIT - I have a few spare Lee nuts, I can drill and tap a couple and mail them down to you, they will be with you Tuesday if that helps, it is going to make life a lot easier