01-27-2014, 04:30 AM
2ndAmendment Wrote:I have since adjusted my C.O.A.L and am currently about 0.017" of my lands (my initial cartridge was 0.065" and still produced sub MOA groups). I used the el cheapo method to determine COAL and came up with 2.242" using the 120gn Nosler Ballistic Tip. This length made me pretty happy since my magazine maxed out at 2.300". I seated a bullet in a sized case starting at 2.242" and chambered it. It got stuck in the lands and required a little help to remove. I continued to seat the bullet deeper in 0.005" +/- increments until it chambered and ejected easily. I then colored the bullet with a marker and chambered/ejected then inspected. I found slight markings around the circumference of the bullet. The cartridge seemed to chamber/eject fine but I felt like I needed a reference. So I grabbed a Hornady 123 AMAX factory load, colored the bullet and ran it through the action. Don't worry, the muzzle was pointed in a safe direction the entire time and I obeyed all safe gun handling rules. Upon ejection I noted similar markings on the factory bullet. At this point I'm feeling confident with this seating depth and plan on working up a load using the 8208. I'm open to suggestions/comments/concerns/criticism so let it rip.
Marty
Marty - If you feel compelled to put a live round in the chamber for such a test, it is a simple matter to remove the firing pin from the bolt. Makes a ND / AD a statistical impossibility. Just for future reference...