little help for the new guy....

[bbearhntr]

hello! what a great site! i am new to reloading and i hope someone could help me out. can i load a cartridge longer than the saami listed length in the nosler reloading manual? i am attempting to load my first batch of 270 wsm rounds. the coal listed in the nosler manual is 2.860. i measured my distance to the lands with a bullet and an empty case and came up with 2.900. everything ive read says to load .015 to.030 off the lands. that would put me over the max listed length but it will still fit in my magazines (i have two rifles that i want to load for). is this safe? i am loading 130 gr accubonds in norma cases if that makes any difference. thanks in advance for the help!

 

[OU812]

With most factory rifles the mag box or lots of free bore (weatherby) will be your limiting factor to the col depth, factory don't want you to jam a bullet into the lands. I would set a shell/bullet up so it just clears the mag box with out feeding issues and measure the col. If it's under 2.900 then that is your max col unless you want to make it a single shot or get an after market mag box. I have found excellent accuracy with many rifles just seating to fit the mag box (exceeding the listed sammi col) with out feeding issues.

 

[Polaris]

You most definately can load longer than SAAMI COL. Just remember to religiously follow load work up procedures. I recommend Lyman 49th manual for anybody especially beginners. Read it cover to cover, sleep with it under your pillow. It will help you immensely in your new addiction. Limiting your freebore can increase pressure. Check for the signs. Keep us posted on your progress. Loading closer to the lands will generally increase your accuracy potential. That being said, many rifles group really well with loads at recommended COL.

 

[bbearhntr]

thanks for the speedy replies :grin: ! i will have to look for that loading manual.

 

[DrMike]

bbearhntr,

Welcome to the forum; glad you found us. One caveat is to not load so long that the neck fails to hold your bullet. Generally, that is not a problem as the magazine will limit overall length. I use Norma cases if at all available for my cartridges. That 130 grain AB will certainly stomp on a black bear.

 

[SJB358]

The guys gave you great advice for your 270WSM. I love MagPro and RL22 in the 270WSM. Both of them seem to work really well and get about the most speed you can coax from the cartridge. I have seated alot of my 270WSM loads to factory 2.860 and never had an issue getting excellent accuracy. I don't think the 270WSM is very finicky. Love that cartridge. Good luck with it, can't wait to hear about the range reports. Scotty