Bullet cannelure doesn't line up with brass neck

Reloading equipment, methods, load data, powder and projectile information.

Bullet cannelure doesn't line up with brass neck

Post by huccl » 24 Nov 2013, 10:07 am

Hi guys,

I've started reloading .308 and am loading some bullets with a cannelure.

The cannelure doesn't really line up with the top of the brass neck like I expected though.

At max COAL it's about 2mm above it.

When matching bullet to the lands it still isn't low enough to crimp the brass into the cannelure of the bullet.

Doing something wrong? Or... What?
Browning A-Bolt M-1000 Eclipse 308 Win
CZ 453 Varmint 22LR
User avatar
huccl
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 213
New South Wales

Re: Bullet cannelure doesn't line up with brass neck

Post by Hinky » 24 Nov 2013, 7:12 pm

Yeah no worries mate.

Crimped bullets are usually seated for shorter COAL.

Matching everything to your rifle's the most important bit, not matching some book.
Mosin Nagant M1891
Sako Finnbear L61R 25-06
Browning T-Bolt .22LR Sporter
Browning BL22
User avatar
Hinky
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 112
South Australia

Re: Bullet cannelure doesn't line up with brass neck

Post by Elek » 25 Nov 2013, 6:23 am

Try both - seating some matched with the rifle and some with the cannelure.

Typically right on your lands will be best, but crimping your loads does effect accuracy.

Even though they're shorter, it might be a more accurate load for you.
Remington 700 SPS Tactical in .308 Win
Remington 700 XCR Tactical Long Range in .223 Rem
Bushnell Elite Tactical ERS 4.5-30x 50mm
User avatar
Elek
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 141
Western Australia

Re: Bullet cannelure doesn't line up with brass neck

Post by lole » 25 Nov 2013, 12:18 pm

As above, shorter cartridges when crimped are typical.

I read a thing from Hornady a while ago stating this was the depth the bullets were designed to be used at, even though they might not be right on the lands.

Worth trying either way though as you don't know what will work for you until you try it.
User avatar
lole
Corporal
Corporal
 
Posts: 359
New South Wales

Re: Bullet cannelure doesn't line up with brass neck

Post by Vati » 25 Nov 2013, 12:48 pm

Hinky wrote:Matching everything to your rifle's the most important bit, not matching some book.


+1

Plenty of people are shooting cartridges which are over max COAL too for this reason.

There lands are further out and the bullet needs to be seated accordingly to match the rifle, not the book.
Reach out and touch...
User avatar
Vati
Corporal
Corporal
 
Posts: 426
New South Wales

Re: Bullet cannelure doesn't line up with brass neck

Post by Hardcast » 25 Nov 2013, 2:23 pm

Don't worry about it Hucci, it makes no difference. As the other guys have said, find a seating depth or C.O.A.L that really shoots well in
your rifle. If you are loading for a lever action or pump action, then load it to the cannelure and crimp it. Otherwise it doesn't matter.
Also, obviously, a pointed projectile can have a much longer C.O.A.L. than a flat nose or round nose because it will slot up inside the lands without
touching untill it reaches its full diameter whereas a flat nose or round nose reaches its full diameter sooner. Sometimes it's almost impossible to
load a round or flat nose out far enough to get anywhere near the lands.
User avatar
Hardcast
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 180
South Australia

Re: Bullet cannelure doesn't line up with brass neck

Post by huccl » 25 Nov 2013, 3:04 pm

Thanks all,

It's for a bolt action hardcast, not a lever.

What's the difference there exactly anyway?
Browning A-Bolt M-1000 Eclipse 308 Win
CZ 453 Varmint 22LR
User avatar
huccl
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 213
New South Wales

Re: Bullet cannelure doesn't line up with brass neck

Post by reddog » 26 Nov 2013, 8:59 am

For levers and pumps and also heavy recoiling calibres you crimp at the cannelure to stop the projectiles from being driven into the case by recoil.

The cannelure sets your overall length for these cartridges, if it's for a bolt action you usually dont have to crimp unless your going for a specific neck tension.

Also not all grooves are for crimping , solid copper projectiles like Barnes tripleshock have three grooves to relieve pressure .

Good luck
reddog
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 147
South Australia

Re: Bullet cannelure doesn't line up with brass neck

Post by huccl » 26 Nov 2013, 5:15 pm

Thanks all.

Will do some with and some without and see how they go.
Browning A-Bolt M-1000 Eclipse 308 Win
CZ 453 Varmint 22LR
User avatar
huccl
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 213
New South Wales


Back to top
 
Return to Reloading ammunition