Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles New reloader here with a question

I am VERY new to reloading and have a small delima on my hands. I am trying to develop a load for a new Kimber Pro-varmint in 22-250. I started with Lapua brass and sierra game king 55 grainers. I am planning on running Varget powder and CCI bench rest primers.
The question is....... according to my reloading manual, 2.350 is the COAL. However even loaded out to my MAX magazine length of 2.400, I am still not touching my lands.
So do I load at the standard 2.350 and play around with loads and check accuracy, or should I go ahead and push the loads out to 2.400?
Being new to reloading, I am a little nervous to push forward without some advice..........Thanks

Also, I just finished load envelopment on my new Kimber Montana 25-06, and I hit the lands way before I reached COAL or MAX magazine length with sierra game kings. So what gives? Are Kimbers all over the place on this or what? I was actually happy with the way my 25-06 worked out as I was able to kiss the lands before I ran out of usable magazine length. Thats why I was a little shocked to see the direct opposite on my 22-250....lol

Shoot the load at 2.350 and see how it shoots. You do not necessarily have to be at the lands to have an accurate load. Sometimes even further away works also. When loaded to 2.400 how much bullet is still in the case neck? This may also be a limiting factor (don't forget to allow for the boattail.)

Try making up a dummy round, and single load it direct until you see exactly where the lands are. That might give you a better idea. But, some bullets like a good jump actually better than being close, so only a paper target will tell the truth.

Billiam280AI: C.O.A.L. is NOT the be all or end all to making accurate ammunition.
Your carefully made 22-250 handloads with LaPua brass in that quality arm "SHOULD" produce accuracy at the 2.350" measurement.
Try the 2.400" cartridges on a calm day and see how they group.
If there isn't much bullet body touching the neck of the case at 2,400" then that will show up.
I have PLENTY of target, Varmint and Big game Rifles where I seat my most accurate loadings and the bullet is no where near touching the leades of the rifling.
Having said that often it is EASIER to find accuracy with a particular bullet when it has little jump to the rifling.
In the last 20 years or so the "factory" Rifle makers have been VERY hesitant (it seems to me!) to chamber their Rifles with "short throats".
I have dealt with the "short magazine box" and "long throat" issues for some time now and its NOT a terminal, condition!
Best of luck and be sure to let us know how that Pro-Varmint shoots.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Start at magazine length, with the listed minimum load.

Only change one variable at at time. First, work up with the powder charge, and if necessary, work in with your OAL.

The loading manuals typically list a round at SAAMI max OAL. Typically that has nothing to do with what will shoot best in any particular rifle. I generally start .010" off the lands OR at the max magazine length and work from there. You've already determined that you can't touch the lands at your magazine length of 2.400", that's where I would start. Since you're at max magazine length you've only got one way to adjust when you start fine tuning seating depth.

While it's not always true that a bullet will shoot better with less jump, I've found that most often they do. That 2.350" basically means nothing.

This is the way I do it when I can't reach the lands at max magazine length.

sounds great guys....thanks

Me too. Straight seems to be more important.

Just remember the closer to the Lands you are the more pressure you will see, thats why I like to start touching and work shorter. But in your case you may not be ble to touch.