Hornady tool measures to the ogive not coal. If you are hitting the lands before reaching magazine lenth its seems to me your freebore may be short. Any bullet if ran in any AR chamber I've had wether it has been 223, Wilde or 556 I have not been able to touch lands before running out of mag space.
How to deterine optimal COAL for a RRA chamber???
- Thread starter Sod Farmer
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Sod Farmer
New member
Originally Posted By: reb8600Originally Posted By: Sod FarmerOld Turtle -
In case anyone reading this is not familiar with the Hornady OAL devise, the measurement it gives is the COAL (to the tip of the bullet) using the actual bullet being used. This does take into account the ogive of that particular bullet, but a new measurement needs to be taken with each type, brand and weight of bullet because of different ogives. The following video covers how this tool is used in the first minute and 45 seconds. After that he goes of onto other related information
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OZ8u8e7mSc&list=PLqz0DG9R2Qob4I6n3TY4UE73FUHpJyb2-
What Old Turtle told you is correct if you are using the gauge with the bullet comparator. Bill does know what the tool is. If that is the case, it measures to the Ogive not the COAL. They are different measurements. That video does not give the best explanation of how to use the tool.
I understand what the difference is between the two measurements and I agree that Old Turtle is correct in what he said. With that being said, it has no bearing on the fact that this type of chamber is designed to engage the bullet when it is chambered, regardless of COAL. It is not necessary to use a bullet comparator to determine a seating depth where a given bullet begins to touch the lands. I guess I'm still not doing a very good job of explaining what I am dealing with.
In case anyone reading this is not familiar with the Hornady OAL devise, the measurement it gives is the COAL (to the tip of the bullet) using the actual bullet being used. This does take into account the ogive of that particular bullet, but a new measurement needs to be taken with each type, brand and weight of bullet because of different ogives. The following video covers how this tool is used in the first minute and 45 seconds. After that he goes of onto other related information
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OZ8u8e7mSc&list=PLqz0DG9R2Qob4I6n3TY4UE73FUHpJyb2-
What Old Turtle told you is correct if you are using the gauge with the bullet comparator. Bill does know what the tool is. If that is the case, it measures to the Ogive not the COAL. They are different measurements. That video does not give the best explanation of how to use the tool.
I understand what the difference is between the two measurements and I agree that Old Turtle is correct in what he said. With that being said, it has no bearing on the fact that this type of chamber is designed to engage the bullet when it is chambered, regardless of COAL. It is not necessary to use a bullet comparator to determine a seating depth where a given bullet begins to touch the lands. I guess I'm still not doing a very good job of explaining what I am dealing with.
Last edited:
Sod Farmer
New member
Old Cat -
I will try that and see what results I get. Thanks!
I will try that and see what results I get. Thanks!
midwestpredator
Active member
Originally Posted By: Sod FarmerMidwest-
As I wrote earlier, I have spoken with RRA and confirmed that the chamber is designed so that the beveled lands engage the bullet when the round is chambered. The chamber is not like most chambers that do not use beveled lands. This chamber is cut correctly. My question is not whether or not my chamber has a problem. My question is specifically directed as to how to fine tune my COAL with this type of chamber.
I am still hoping to hear from someone else on the forum with an X-series RRA rifle.
P.S. I really like your avatar!
Well if all your looking for is how to fine tune a load, it is not different than in any other chamber in any other rifle. You can either try a different bullet, powder, powder charge, primer, or adjust seating depth longer or shorter.
If you are getting a good group with a few rounds and one outlier, I would adjust seating depth in 0.005" incriments both shorter and longer than your current load and shoot a couple groups. That should give you some insight on whether to keep adjusting longer or shorter until you get the group to shrink.
That said IMO, its not the best idea to engage the lands in a hunting rifle. You will no doubt be unloading live rounds from the chamber at one time or another and there is a chance you could end up with a bullet stuck in the barrel and powder spilled in your action.
and thank you, IMO, there is nothing like a classy pinup dressed in camo and packin some thigh heat!!
As I wrote earlier, I have spoken with RRA and confirmed that the chamber is designed so that the beveled lands engage the bullet when the round is chambered. The chamber is not like most chambers that do not use beveled lands. This chamber is cut correctly. My question is not whether or not my chamber has a problem. My question is specifically directed as to how to fine tune my COAL with this type of chamber.
I am still hoping to hear from someone else on the forum with an X-series RRA rifle.
P.S. I really like your avatar!
Well if all your looking for is how to fine tune a load, it is not different than in any other chamber in any other rifle. You can either try a different bullet, powder, powder charge, primer, or adjust seating depth longer or shorter.
If you are getting a good group with a few rounds and one outlier, I would adjust seating depth in 0.005" incriments both shorter and longer than your current load and shoot a couple groups. That should give you some insight on whether to keep adjusting longer or shorter until you get the group to shrink.
That said IMO, its not the best idea to engage the lands in a hunting rifle. You will no doubt be unloading live rounds from the chamber at one time or another and there is a chance you could end up with a bullet stuck in the barrel and powder spilled in your action.
and thank you, IMO, there is nothing like a classy pinup dressed in camo and packin some thigh heat!!
Widow maker 223
Active member
Theres no way they would sell a factory gun that has that short of a chamber..
Jack Roberts
Moderator - Deceased
If you don't have both chamber prints in front of you, you are just guessing.
Jack
Jack