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Old 11-30-2012, 04:30 PM
FloridaFlier FloridaFlier is offline
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Default COAL and Bullet Seating Depth

On bullets with no cannelure (think Berry's), I sometimes wonder how deep to seat the bullet. Usually, the advice is to find something in a loading manual of the same weight and composition. Sometimes, that doesn't work very well.
Today, I am loading .44 Specials. The 240gr Berry's RNFP plated bullets are 0.655" long, while the 240gr Berry's lead SWC bullet is 0.730" long, and has a cannelure. The difference is 0.075", yet Berry's suggests using lead bullet data for their plated bullets. I'm thinking that to get the same power, I should load the plated bullets 0.075" shorter COAL than the lead bullets, which would provide the same volume in the case after the bullet is seated. There is a lot of room for adjustment on the Berry's bullet before it begins to taper.
To press the point, even on bullets with a cannelure, if my bullet has its cannelure in a different place than the cannelure in the manual's bullet, I'll have a different COAL if I crimp at the cannelure (which I would do).
We know that seating depth affects case volume, which affects maximum pressure, even with the same powder charge. I have no interest in testing loads beyond the published limitations, but have no real way of measuring internal pressure.
Bottom line, if you can't find a similar shape and composition bullet in the manuals, how do you decide on COAL/seating depth?
Or am I over-thinking this question?

Sorry, I just noticed that there are similar posts here on the forum. 'Deja vu all over again'. As Rosanne Roseannadana used to say "Nevermind". -Pete

Last edited by FloridaFlier; 11-30-2012 at 05:03 PM. Reason: Duplication of information on similar posts
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Old 11-30-2012, 05:06 PM
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You are not over thinking but thinking of two different shape and material bullets at the same time.

For the lead bullet with crimp groove don't even worry about an OAL, I never measure them. Just seat to the cannelure and crimp.

For the plated bullet even if the same weight it is a Flat Nose so it's shorter, more weigh is in the base end. Just use a Speer or Hornady of similar design and weight and load the middle of the FMJ data.



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Old 11-30-2012, 05:08 PM
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Or you could just call or email the bullet manufacturer (in this case Berrys) and they will tell you their COAL.
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Old 11-30-2012, 05:09 PM
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Actually it was Gilda as Emily Litella saying Never Mind

Rosanna was, It's always Something.
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Old 11-30-2012, 05:13 PM
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Actually it was Gilda as Emily Litella saying Never Mind

Rosanna was, It's always Something.
Gilda Radner Nevermind - YouTube
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Old 11-30-2012, 06:56 PM
riverrat38 riverrat38 is offline
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"Actually it was Gilda as Emily Litella saying Never Mind

Rosanna was, It's always Something."

It seems that I am not very current on popular culture. I don't recognize either of those names.
What a revolting development this is!

Best,
Rick
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Old 11-30-2012, 08:03 PM
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"Actually it was Gilda as Emily Litella saying Never Mind

Rosanna was, It's always Something."

It seems that I am not very current on popular culture. I don't recognize either of those names.
What a revolting development this is!

Best,
Rick
She was married to Gene Wilder, She died much to early from cancer. One of the most talented, Funny comediennes ever.

She was part of the original Saturday Night Live Crew, Not Ready For Prime Time Players. Dan Aykakroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase etc. It was some classic cult kind of stuff. Had to be there watching Not the really stupid stuff on the show now.
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Old 12-01-2012, 07:58 AM
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Or you could just call or email the bullet manufacturer (in this case Berrys) and they will tell you their COAL.
Just called Berry's the other day about OAL on the cast bullets I ordered. They only have the OAL suggestions for their plated, not for their cast.

The suggestion was simply to seat to somewhere in the crimp groove on the hard cast bullets (boolits) depending on personal style. The 3 different HC I ordered all have the crimp groove.

Whatever the seat depth though, the crimping stage always seems to change the OAL.
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Old 12-01-2012, 08:35 PM
FloridaFlier FloridaFlier is offline
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OK. I will call Berry's for a COAL for their plated bullets. Thanks to all for the helpful suggestions. On another note, if you don't know who Gilda Radner is, you've missed an important piece of Americana.
Merry Christmas to all.
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Old 12-01-2012, 08:53 PM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
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If I know and have no interest in knowing, it might just be that I don't want that part of Americana in my memory!
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Old 12-02-2012, 12:58 AM
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If I know and have no interest in knowing, it might just be that I don't want that part of Americana in my memory!
Ya, but I bet you know who Elmer Fudd is.
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Old 12-02-2012, 08:14 AM
FloridaFlier FloridaFlier is offline
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Ya, but I bet you know who Elmer Fudd is.
Dannn Wabbit!!!

I even remember Hopalong Cassidy! (Hoppy, to his friends!)
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