12-12-2021, 01:29 AM
(This post was last modified: 12-12-2021, 01:32 AM by r.tenorio671.
Edit Reason: clarification
)
As I'm waiting on my order of HDY 108 ELD-M factory ammo to arrive, I'm gathering bullets piece-meal as they become available. I prefer to "proof" a new build/barrel with factory ammo to get baseline data for my load development efforts. I'd like to keep it in the 90-105 grain bullet range, but as I learned in the last "shortage", multiple contingency loads with multiple components is the only way to keep a rifle/pistol from becoming nothing more than a "bludgeon" 
FWIW, measurments of the following bullets in my Ballistic Advantage 18" barrel, one of the early edition ones offered by Brownells. Using a Hornady OAL gauge I obtained the following average measurements of the COAL and CBTO numbers (NOTE: YOUR barrel WILL BE DIFFERENT) :
Hornady 108 ELD-M : 2.308 / 1.747
Hornady 90 ELD-X : 2.173 / 1.707
Hornady 87 VMAX : 2.173 / 1.707
Nosler 105 RDF : 2.308 / 1.696
Nosler 70 FB Vgdon : 2.224 / 1.706
Berger 105 VLD Tgt : 2.324 / 1.736
Berger 95 Classic Hunter : 2.197 / 1.730
Berger 95 VLD Hunter : 2.328 / 1.736
As evidenced by the numbers, only the +100gn bullets and the Bgr 95 VLD Hunter) exceed the typical 2.260 mag limitation at their longest possible COAL (in MY barrel). I like to begin jumps at least .010 off the touch point for safety and variance. For those that exceed the 2.260 limit, -0.10 from 2.260. Any that fall below that 2.260 limit to begin with, I load as is, but only IF the base of the bullet does not rise above the neck-shoulder junction (FB's). If the bullet is a boat-tail, the transition point from BT to bearing surface should not rise above the neck-shoulder junction. Just my process that suits my needs, not necessarily the optimal for anyone seeking max precision, max speed or max whatever.... I load only for my AR rifles.
FWIW, measurments of the following bullets in my Ballistic Advantage 18" barrel, one of the early edition ones offered by Brownells. Using a Hornady OAL gauge I obtained the following average measurements of the COAL and CBTO numbers (NOTE: YOUR barrel WILL BE DIFFERENT) :
Hornady 108 ELD-M : 2.308 / 1.747
Hornady 90 ELD-X : 2.173 / 1.707
Hornady 87 VMAX : 2.173 / 1.707
Nosler 105 RDF : 2.308 / 1.696
Nosler 70 FB Vgdon : 2.224 / 1.706
Berger 105 VLD Tgt : 2.324 / 1.736
Berger 95 Classic Hunter : 2.197 / 1.730
Berger 95 VLD Hunter : 2.328 / 1.736
As evidenced by the numbers, only the +100gn bullets and the Bgr 95 VLD Hunter) exceed the typical 2.260 mag limitation at their longest possible COAL (in MY barrel). I like to begin jumps at least .010 off the touch point for safety and variance. For those that exceed the 2.260 limit, -0.10 from 2.260. Any that fall below that 2.260 limit to begin with, I load as is, but only IF the base of the bullet does not rise above the neck-shoulder junction (FB's). If the bullet is a boat-tail, the transition point from BT to bearing surface should not rise above the neck-shoulder junction. Just my process that suits my needs, not necessarily the optimal for anyone seeking max precision, max speed or max whatever.... I load only for my AR rifles.