Speer 45 Cal 185 TMJ Match SWC COAL

I dug some of these out from way back when and was wondering what COAL you guys have used for this particular bullet?

Thanks,

Shawn

I think 1.200, but, after impacting the backstop they'd probably won't chamber again.

When I say I dug some of these out from way back when, I mean I dug them out from my old bullet stash I had laying around not from the ground or backstop 

New bullets that are not dug out of a berm I set at 1.253. I like a fingernail sticking out of the case just like L-SWC.

Thanks for the information.  The Speer #14 manual shows 1.275" and I thought that was a little long so I figured I would ask.




I have mine set at 1.268" and hopefully that will work.

Btw, I gave up on trying to use the "burm" bullets.  There was just something about them that seamed a little odd

Cheers!

Shawn

sawacs wrote:Thanks for the information.  The Speer #14 manual shows 1.275" and I thought that was a little long so I figured I would ask.



I have mine set at 1.268" and hopefully that will work.

This brings up a question I've been wondering about... most of what I see on this forum and hear from other bullseye shooters when it comes to COAL for semi-wadcutters is to not worry about COAL, but to instead ensure that the rim to shoulder measures around .920" to .930" or even .940", with .925" often suggested.  Others suggest a thumbnail thickness above the case rim, which is presumably the same thing for new-ish cases (but, I would think this method would start to deviate on well-used cases, because the cases get shorter with each firing).  But most of what I see elsewhere (reloading books, reloading forums, talking to non-bullseye shooters, etc.) suggests that you should set seating depth based on your particular chamber, which is what Shawn is showing in the second picture, where he has set the bullet seating depth to whatever makes the bottom of the shell casing sit just below the barrel hood when chambered (excellent picture, BTW).

Can anyone explain to me why seating 45 semi-wadcutters to a particular rim-to-shoulder length or a particular height above the shell casing would be a better (or worse) method than seating them to set the bottom of the case just below the barrel hood?

My answer. They don't feed well. Others may have a different answer.

Len

I had always tried to load with the rear of the case sitting flush with the hood or slightly below.  If I go by the book with the COAL at 1.275", the case protrudes out past the barrel hood.  Would this mean my barrel could use a little throating?  My Starline brass, before sizing and flaring the case mouth, measures .894".  Something else I had always wondered about is how the extractor can change the depth of the loaded round at least it appears to do so on my R1.

Interesting discussion and lots to learn!

Shawn

I just been doing a plunk test and seating the bullet till it fits the chamber.  Don

>Can anyone explain to me why seating 45 semi-wadcutters to a particular rim-to-shoulder length or a particular height above the shell casing would be a better (or worse) method than seating them to set the bottom of the case just below the barrel hood?


Because the shoulder contacts the lede, all SWCs in a given barrel with use the same COL. However, this COL can and will vary in another barrel as the chambers are not the same.
I really like a seating stem that ONLY contacts the shoulder of the SWC as I NEVER have to adjust it again for ANY SWC nose profile.
Photos show my goal--to set the COL such that the case head is flush to just below flush with the barrel hood.
COL is not a thing that you read in a manual and simply use; it is a result of the bullet geometry and the chamber dimensions, so the effective COL range will change as you switch bullets or barrels.

noylj wrote:>Can anyone explain to me why seating 45 semi-wadcutters to a particular rim-to-shoulder length or a particular height above the shell casing would be a better (or worse) method than seating them to set the bottom of the case just below the barrel hood?


Because the shoulder contacts the lede, all SWCs in a given barrel with use the same COL. However, this COL can and will vary in another barrel as the chambers are not the same.
I really like a seating stem that ONLY contacts the shoulder of the SWC as I NEVER have to adjust it again for ANY SWC nose profile.
Photos show my goal--to set the COL such that the case head is flush to just below flush with the barrel hood.
COL is not a thing that you read in a manual and simply use; it is a result of the bullet geometry and the chamber dimensions, so the effective COL range will change as you switch bullets or barrels.

What would you recommend for a seating stem that only contacts the SWC shoulder?

if you use Dillon dies Unique Tek has a seating insert that will do that.. I use them on my 550s

Copy that and thank you.

For now, rather than use my 650 for bullseye loads, I am using a Lee hand press.  I'll check around and see if I can find a SWC seating stem for my Redding seater.

Thanks

sawacs wrote:  I'll check around and see if I can find a SWC seating stem for my Redding seater.

Thanks

I had called Redding a few years ago and asked them if they had a shoulder seating SWC stem.  They do make one and at the time the guy on the phone asked for my address and sent one out free of charge. 

Don't know if this is still Redding's policy but it's sure worth a phone call to find out.


Virgil

Virgil Kane wrote:

sawacs wrote:  I'll check around and see if I can find a SWC seating stem for my Redding seater.

Thanks

I had called Redding a few years ago and asked them if they had a shoulder seating SWC stem.  They do make one and at the time the guy on the phone asked for my address and sent one out free of charge. 

Don't know if this is still Redding's policy but it's sure worth a phone call to find out.


Virgil

I spoke with Redding today and found out that I already have the correct seating stem.  According to Redding, they changed the design of the seating stem to seat based on the ogive of the bullet so I am good to go! 

One thing I will say about the Redding seating die is it is the nicest seating die I have ever used especially with the micrometer adjustment. 

Slightly off topic but I placed an order for 1k of the Zero 200 gr swc's and cant wait to try them.


Thanks again for the information.