CANNELURE QUESTION ??

[razmuz]

If you use the cannelure on the Hornady 129gr for 6.5X55 it measures out 2.925, but their reloading book suggests 3.035.  Why?

[Donna]

Hello razmuz,

The 3.035 inches is the Maximum Cartridge Overall Length (C.O.L.). This measurement is listed for Magazine or Clip users and will insure that this ammunition will work with all firearms. The Maximum C.O.L. is for commercial ammunition manufacturers more than it is for private reloaders, for us the Maximum C.O.L. has very little meaning, we set our own seating depth to whatever the firearm likes and if that happens to coincide with the Maximum C.O.L. than fine. But if your reloading cartridges to be fired from an unknown firearm (on that you haven’t specifically worked up a load for) then by keeping them within the Maximum C.O.L. should insure that they will cycle properly.

Donna :wink:

[razmuz]

Nice try, but the C.O.L. for the 6.5X55 is 3.150.  That's why I asked the question.  If Hornady suggests 3.035 why did they make the cannalure to measure out to 2.925 instead of 3.150.  Thanks anyway.

[Iowegan]

How about this theory: 6.5mm (.264") bullets are used in several different cartridges. The bullet probably matches up in one of the other cartridges where COL is right when the case mouth is on the cannalure.

[Donna]

razmuz

Nice try nothing; I don’t have SAMMI specs on all cartridges and a lot of their specs I don’t care about. Where did you get that the 6.5 X 55mm’s COL is 3.150? I know were I get my information from. If you look at any cannelure there is quite a bit of leeway from the minimum to the maximum crimp in the cannelure. If you don’t like the answer you get or you think you already know the answer then either state your question more intelligently or wait till you have a question to ask. In either way don’t patronize me because you don’t like getting advice from a woman.

BTW, I stand on my pervious statement.

Donna

[razmuz]

I have no intention of patronizing you.  Your jump to conclusions makes me sad.  My question was sensible, just ask your husband(joke).  Reloading manuals Speer #13, Nosler #5 and A-square show the 6.5X55 C.O.L. to be 3.150, you said 3.035.  I was just wondering why the Hornady manual gives 3.035 for the 129gr bullet which means you can't crimp on the cannelure.  See, a sensible question.

[razmuz]

I note that the reloading manuals show six different 264 calibers, however only two have data for the 129gr bullet.  I see that Donna stands behind her PERVIOUS statement.  Like her I to don't care about SAMMI specifications, but I do respect SAAMI specifications.

                                   GOTCHA :grin:

[Iowegan]

OK, I dug out my Hornady 4th edition manual. It lists the 129 grain Hornady bullet with cannalure for the following cartridges: 6.5 Jap, 6.5 Carcano, 6.5X54 M/S, 6.5X55 Swede, 6.5X57, 6.5 Rem Mag, and 264 Win Mag. The cannalure lines up with only one of the cases for recommended COL, the 6.5X57. I think Hornady designed this bullet specifically for the 6.5X57. Who knows why? Personally, I don't use bullets with cannalures because they never seem to be where I need them. Besides, I never roll crimp rifle cases anyway.

Just because the cannalure is in the wrong place doesn't mean you can't use this bullet in any of the above cartridges. They may look funny but I doubt it will have much impact on accuracy. Mostly, it's annoying.

[Donna]

Apparently the Hornady reloading manual does not agree with the other reloading manuals and your question was not worded very clearly. But that still does not negate the fact that the Maximum Cartridge Overall Length (C.O.L.) is to try to insure that the commercial ammunition manufactures make ammunition that will cycle properly in all firearms regardless of action type, make, and model. What the COL is on the 6.5 swede I don’t know and I still really don’t care because I design and build bullets and ammunition for specific firearms not for the masses.

This is one example of why people should not take the reloading manuals as gospel (or set in stone). They can be wrong, contain miss leading information, or information that can be interpreted as wrong. In any case they should only be used as a guide.

Iowegan is probably correct for an explanation to what you were trying to ask for at the start of this thread.

Donna

[razmuz]

You gonna buy that?

[Iowegan]

One more try... There are three "types" of cartridge over all length (OAL) measurements. The first is Max OAL. This is a SAAMI spec for the max length that will fit in a rifle's magazine. The second is just OAL. It is the SAAMI spec for chamber fit. The last is Adjusted OAL. It is the desired length that some of us reloaders use that produces the best accuracy in our rifles (non-SAAMI spec).

I looked through my Hornady manual at several cartridges. OAL's varied with the type of bullet they used. That would tell me they are using the standard SAAMI OAL not the Max OAL. I looked in my Speer manual and they don't list OAL's for any cartridge. The Sierra software shows both the Max OAL (3.062 for 6.5 Swede) and a different OAL for each bullet they list. That's 3 manuals with 3 different approaches. Take your pick!

I use a bullet seating depth tool and don't worry what the book says. See: http://www.cactustactical.com/reloading/reloading.html

[razmuz]

My Speer manual #13 shows Max. Cart. Length for every caliber listed.  They also show the C.O.L. a paticular bullet was tested at.  Anyway you have a happy Thanksgiving, you to Donna.  

[hillbill]

yu go donna!!!!!

[.45 COLT]

For the Swede SAAMI Maximum Length is 3.149", SAAMI Minimum Length is 3.025". As Donna said, those lengths are to make sure the cartridge functions and feeds properly. The 3.035" length your load book gives is the length they loaded the cartridge to produce the results they published. Accurate Powder loads the same bullet to a COL of 3.025". Obviously, nobody is too concerned with the cannelure on that bullet in that cartridge.

[boneguru]

AREN'T THOSE THE THINGS YOU USE TO TIE ON TO YOUR FISHIN POLES? :-D