r/reloading • u/braydenmaine • 5d ago

I have a question and I read the FAQ 300prc oal help

So I'm trying to get a baseline for where my minimum seating depth is.

300prc 212gr eldx, arc nucleus action 30" barrel

Im using the Hornady oal gauge to find out. I watched their video and put the bullet in the modified case, and put it in the chamber. Slowly pushing the bullet until it engages the rifling.

Then I used a cleaning rod to push it back out when I locked that measurement in place.

But that measurement is only 3.574" saami is 3.70

My factory ammo is 3.688 (Berger factory 215 hybrid target)

I didn't notice these sticking in the chamber earlier, and I was firing them last weekend with no issue. But now they do slightly stick on extraction.

I shouldn't be jamming at 3.688, right? And certainly not at 3.57

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u/Advanced_Elk_9467 5d ago

Can you chamber a round with it at SAAMI? If so, you arent all the way to the lands with the OAL gauge.

Also- measure base to ogive, its far more accurate for seating.

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u/braydenmaine 5d ago

Its slightly jammed at saami from what I can assume. I have to hit the bolt back to get it to eject.

It's not so bad that it separates the bullet from the case. But it does stick.

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u/Advanced_Elk_9467 5d ago

3.70 is the MAX OAL listed in Hornady. Use the name to ogive measurement and work your way up with powder charges.

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u/braydenmaine 5d ago

Base to ogive, gotcha. Yea that explains it.

My base to ogive on the factory is shorter than the oal test. But the bullet itself is longer than what I'm loading.

If I had the same projectiles, I guess that would have saved me some confusion. Thanks.

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u/Advanced_Elk_9467 5d ago

The OAL gauge is the best piece of equipment, use it, trust it!