OAL

shoots762 · May 25, 2009, 10:56 PM

I have an old .308 bolt rifle with a worn throat. Since the bolt will not close on a field gauge and it still is pretty accurate , I'm still shooting it. To further improve accuracy, I seated the bullets further out and have an OAL of 2.928" rather than the max SAMMI spec of 2.810". I see no signs of overpressure, but is this safe? The ogive is not contacting the rifling. (An experienced, formerly competitive shooter at the range told me that this was OK, but I'd like a few more opinions.)

The load is 150 gr Nosler partition bullet with 41.0 gr of IMR4895.

Thanks

Shoney · May 25, 2009, 11:06 PM

shoots762

WELCOME TO TFL!!!

Short answer is yes, it is safe as long as you have no pressure signs.

For the long answer:
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...d.php?t=358993
skip down to post #10

James R. Burke · May 26, 2009, 06:45 PM

Shoney is correct, plus you are probably more accurate. Just watch for those presure signs.

May 25, 2009, 10:56 PM	#1
shoots762 Junior Member Join Date: May 25, 2009 Posts: 1	OAL I have an old .308 bolt rifle with a worn throat. Since the bolt will not close on a field gauge and it still is pretty accurate , I'm still shooting it. To further improve accuracy, I seated the bullets further out and have an OAL of 2.928" rather than the max SAMMI spec of 2.810". I see no signs of overpressure, but is this safe? The ogive is not contacting the rifling. (An experienced, formerly competitive shooter at the range told me that this was OK, but I'd like a few more opinions.) The load is 150 gr Nosler partition bullet with 41.0 gr of IMR4895. Thanks

May 25, 2009, 11:06 PM	#2
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	shoots762 WELCOME TO TFL!!! Short answer is yes, it is safe as long as you have no pressure signs. For the long answer: http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...d.php?t=358993 skip down to post #10

May 26, 2009, 06:45 PM	#3
James R. Burke Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2009 Location: U.P. of Mich/Quinnesec Posts: 1,897	Shoney is correct, plus you are probably more accurate. Just watch for those presure signs.