Here's my problem. I am loading 60 grain Hornady V-max into new brass. I loaded a dummy round with the bullet extra long. I then carefully placed the cartidge into the action and forced it closed. This, being my maximum length, was 2.547 overall. I used steel wool to remove the rifling marks and seated the bullet down to 2.500 overall and tried it again. This time it closed easily and showed no rifling marks at all. It seems like this would be fine but I checked several reloading manuals and they all said that the maximum overall length should be 2.35. I am .150 over this but I should be fine. Why the discrepancy? I just want to be safe.
Thanks

All your reloading manuals are based on SAAMI specs and have little to do with seating bullets on or near the lands. You should be fine, but you may want to seat the bullets out a bit more and determine exactly where are your lands, then work off that. Most 22-250's I've had shoot real good with about .010" jump off the lands. Bob

[This message has been edited by Bob338 (edited 05-03-2001).]

If you get them longer than the magazine you will have to go single shot.

If you get them longer than the ejection port a loaded round may not eject properly.

You've already got them shorter than the lands.

Other than that there's no magic on the OAL or COL.

Don

I'm using the Sierra 60 HP and seat it .010 off the lands. My overall length was 2.517 after stuffing it into my 700V thus making my final OAL 2.507. Your seating depth sounds fine but I would be more concerned with using a VMax 60HP in a 22-250 with a 1-14 twist. I recall Hornady's reloading manual stating that such a barrel will not stabilize the bullet? If your 60HP VMax is accurate, I would like to hear about it.

Thanks

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Dave

I would echo every point made, and would echo those of Dave Stout.

My Tikka .22/250 has 14" twist and from very limited experience of loading 60 grain bullets (though not V-Max) they're a no-no for me.

I do shoot 55 gr V-Max and seat them to Cartridge OAL of 2.50" exactly, having measured distance to lands @ 2.56". I could have started loading @ 2.54", but I want to use my magazine rather than single load.

I'm currently thinking about trying the 50 gr V-Max but must first be confident that the (presumably) shorter round will seat to a sensible depth and still give me a 2.50" round.

Coming back to your 60 grainers, as I understand it, the real indicator (and I'm happy to be corrected if my shorthand or shortcomings are misleading here) is the relationship between ballistic coefficient and twist. Bearing in mind that no two types of bullet are likely to be absolutely identical, it might pay to have a look at different makes and types.

I'm reconciled to using 55 grainers or smaller both for varminting and paper punching.

Hope this helps.

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Thanks for the feedback guys. I may actually seat them a bit closer to the lands.
I will let you know if my gun can handle the VMAX.

Dave,
I tried a few loads tonight with the VMAX and did not get good results. I launch them around 3600 and am getting poor groups at a 100 yards. I want to try a few different loads before I swear off this bullet but so far, it isn't looking good. I want to stick with a 60 or 65 and I know that the gun will shoot this weight bullet. I bought it from my dad and that is what he used with great results (groups under an inch). You mentioned the 60 grain sierra, does that work for varmints? I am only concerned with varmint hunting and want a good, explosive bullet but like the heavier weights for the long shots (3 to 500).
Thanks

PrimeTime

The Sierra 60 HP works great in my 700V. Only shot a few chucks with it so I can't say if they are as destructive as a VMax, Blitz or Ballistic Tip but they're plenty accurate. I chose the 60 because I feel they're better in the wind at long range.

You might want to drop your powder charge before you give up on the VMax. Unless velocity is a must for you.

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Dave

[This message has been edited by Dave Stout (edited 05-05-2001).]

You might want to try a little lower velocity. I have very good luck just seating of the lands. A good 22 250 shouldn't have much trouble shooting under .375 many well do .5