bomberodevil
Well-Known Member
I recently bought a CA Mesa in 6.5 CM, and I have shot about 100 rounds through for break-in. I'm now starting to do load development for hunting rounds. For a ladder test, I planned to seat the bullets (Nosler Ballistic Tip, 140 grain), at .020 off the lands, and to play with seating depth after powder and charge weight selection.
I measured the headspace with a Hornady OAL gauge and I checked it several times. I even painted the bullet with a magic marker to make sure I was in the land grooves. I found out that my overall COAL length with the ogive touching the lands was averaging 2.776, while the SAAMI cartridge length is 2.825. That means my max cartridge length, at least with this particular bullet, is .049" shorter than what SAAMI has for the cartridge standard. Does that sound right?
I have no intention of shooting one-shot lengthy target loads, but I do want to get the maximum accuracy and performance out of my hunting loads. Thanks for your help in advance!
I measured the headspace with a Hornady OAL gauge and I checked it several times. I even painted the bullet with a magic marker to make sure I was in the land grooves. I found out that my overall COAL length with the ogive touching the lands was averaging 2.776, while the SAAMI cartridge length is 2.825. That means my max cartridge length, at least with this particular bullet, is .049" shorter than what SAAMI has for the cartridge standard. Does that sound right?
I have no intention of shooting one-shot lengthy target loads, but I do want to get the maximum accuracy and performance out of my hunting loads. Thanks for your help in advance!