Bullet Depth & OAL

[Leatherneck7202]

I’ve started playing with 458 SOCOM. I have the Lee 3 die set with sizer, expander, and bullet seater/crimper. The instructions say to put in a round that you’re duplicating in order to set up the seater die. But, I’m not duplicating the rounds I have – instead I’m using hardcast 300 gn. So I just guessed on the seating plug and figured I could “walk it in” if I was too long.

As you can see, it’s not even seated to the cannelure yet. But, it’s shorter than the closest thing I could find in my reloading book (Lyman 50th ed). That was a 300 grain flat nosed round and the OAL should be 2.145” The one above is currently 2.067”.

So, I guess my question is, do I keep seating it till I get to the cannelure and disregard the OAL? Or do I need a longer bullet?

 

[rotor]

My solution is a case gauge to set your resizing die and a Lyman ammo checker to check the final product.
I use case gauges on everything I reload and have rifle ammo checkers but rarely load rifle. I am very conservative when I reload and check everything twice. Lyman makes a 458 socom ammo checker.

 

[Leatherneck7202]

I've got a Tromix slotted case gauge. Seems to fit fine, but I haven't seated to the cannelure and it's much shorter than the example in the book. That's my concern.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Welcome to the Forum!

 

[Leatherneck7202]

Welcome to the Forum!

Thanks! Hoping to get some good knowledge. I've reloaded pistol for about 4 years but just started out on rifle this week.

 

[popsgarland]

Howdy and welcome to TGT where you will the answers you may need for any questions you may have.

 

[toddnjoyce]

Thanks! Hoping to get some good knowledge. I've reloaded pistol for about 4 years but just started out on rifle this week.

You picked a hell of a load to start with. Much easier options to transition on, but that’s neither here nor there.
You’ll find a trove a data and information at http://458socomforums.com/

 

[Leatherneck7202]

You picked a hell of a load to start with. Much easier options to transition on, but that’s neither here nor there.
You’ll find a trove a data and information at http://458socomforums.com/

I actually did some .308 but need to try them out before I go into "full production." So I switched to this little thumper. Next two projects are 30-06 and 45-70 Govt.

 

[Leatherneck7202]

Howdy and welcome to TGT where you will the answers you may need for any questions you may have.

Thanks!

 

[SQLGeek]

That bullet isn't made for 458 SOCOM I don't think so the cannelure isn't necessarily going to work. I wouldn't seat all the way to it if you're going under your min COL.

 

[Leatherneck7202]

That bullet isn't made for 458 SOCOM I don't think so the cannelure isn't necessarily going to work. I wouldn't seat all the way to it if you're going under your min COL.

Thanks. My Lyman book lists OAL - but it doesn’t say minimum. Is that assumed? Guess I need longer bullets.

 

[TexMex247]

The thing to remember is that a minimum OAL is based on a MAX charge. So if you are loading much lighter which you should be shooting lead, then you can go considerably shorter. At some point it's as much about proper feeding and function based on the bullet profile.
Also since it is lead, your lee fcd die will put a great crimp on a bullet even without a cannelure.

 

[Leatherneck7202]

The thing to remember is that a minimum OAL is based on a MAX charge. So if you are loading much lighter which you should be shooting lead, then you can go considerably shorter. At some point it's as much about proper feeding and function based on the bullet profile.
Also since it is lead, your lee fcd die will put a great crimp on a bullet even without a cannelure.

Ok, these are the first lead bullets I’ve loaded and didn’t have load data so I used another flat nose 300 Gn example. If lead load is different, I’ll pull it and start over - once I find the proper data. Any ideas?

 

[SQLGeek]

I double checked my own Lyman manual and OAL listed is their recommended OAL. Seating the bullet to mag length might be safe as long as you're not into the lands when you chamber. But that's a huge maybe.

Seating too deep and you're running the risk of being over pressure.

You don't necessarily need a longer bullet but you might need a different one that has published data.

The OAL listed for the 300 gr Lehigh Control Fracture might work but I wouldn't use the load data because it's not a cast bullet.

I'd start hitting the Google for load recommendations and then proceed with extreme caution. 458 SOCOM won't present pressure signs until you're WAY over pressure.

 

[Leatherneck7202]

I double checked my own Lyman manual and OAL listed is their recommended OAL. Seating the bullet to mag length might be safe as long as you're not into the lands when you chamber. But that's a huge maybe.

Seating too deep and you're running the risk of being over pressure.

You don't necessarily need a longer bullet but you might need a different one that has published data.

The OAL listed for the 300 gr Lehigh Control Fracture might work but I wouldn't use the load data because it's not a cast bullet.

I'd start hitting the Google for load recommendations and then proceed with extreme caution. 458 SOCOM won't present pressure signs until you're WAY over pressure.

It was the 300 gr Lehigh Control Fracture that I was using the data for. But now I know that’s wrong. Disassembly time. And more research. Thank you.

 

[TexMex247]

I do happen to reload for over a dozen calibers but the 458 is not one of them. Typically hard cast lead should not be pushed faster than 1900 fps and most,not even that fast.
I think that is the ceiling for the 458 but usually people will run gas checked bullets if they are pushing them that hard. You will probably need to load near minimums and play around with col to see what it will run.

 

[TexMex247]

To complicate things even more, if you are running these in an ar upper you will also deal with the dynamic of gas pressure related to your powder choice. You may get an accurate load together that still may not cycle the gun properly.

 

[Leatherneck7202]

To complicate things even more, if you are running these in an ar upper you will also deal with the dynamic of gas pressure related to your powder choice. You may get an accurate load together that still may not cycle the gun properly.

Good feedback. It’s going in a CMMG mkw15 with adjustable gas port, but I still need the right load. Maybe this one isn’t the caliber to save money on bullets on. I could probably use them for 45-70 loads along with the 405 gr bullets I bought. Maybe go with jacketed for the 458.

 

[jrbfishn]

Lead loads are different than copper. Some books have lead load data, some don't. Some only for specific calibers. That one I have no clue.

Sent by an idjit coffeeholic from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

 

[rotor]

I've got a Tromix slotted case gauge. Seems to fit fine, but I haven't seated to the cannelure and it's much shorter than the example in the book. That's my concern.

Case gauge for rifle really only tells you if the case meets specs, not the completed cartridge. Ammo checker does that. If it fits good in the ammo checker it meets sammi specs. I saw a you tube video once where the guy showed a perfect case gauge fitting but the completed cartridge would not pass the ammo checker.