[Unclenick]

Ashbane,

The problem you've run into is inconsistent nose profiles. If you look at a military 230 grain RN of the type the 1.275" maximum COL was developed for, you'll see the nose profile above the bearing surface (cylindrical portion) is actually elliptical. Some manufacturers, including Hornady, have chosen a more hemispherical tip, which means their bullets are a more squat shape, being shorter overall for the same weight, and also wider near the tip than the military type. These more squat shapes have to be seated to a shorter COL in order to give the case mouth the same grip on their bearing surface and to avoid the bullet trying to climb up out of the magazine too early in the feed cycle to clear the magazine lips properly. The bottom line is that you'll have to find the COL that works with the bullet shape you have. Don't assume anything in a book about a different RN bullet will necessarily work out.

Regarding that illustration of mine, I've used it mainly with target bullets and not round nose. Some round noses may be too long to feed from a magazine properly if seated to headspace on the bullet. Again, all you can do is try it and see with your bullet. It does improve velocity consistency and reduce lead fouling where it can be accommodated.