I dropped out from this forum for quite some time. The principals of accuracy reloading have not changed a bunch. Had some thoughts on making the cartridge fit the chamber.....and thought I might share. Kinda wish I had this anology when I owned Stoney Point Products. Here goes:
Most bottleneck cartridges are tapered.....and the tapered cartridges fit chambers which are tapered to closely accept them. Kinda like putting a funnel (the cartridge) into a slightly larger funnel (the chamber). The better the fit of those funnels....the more centered the tips of the funnels (which represent the bullet and the bore).
This is why a concentric cartridge.....which properly fits a chamber will shoot straighter than one with a cartridge laying on "the bottom" of a chamber. Get those dimensions to closely mirror one another.....and you can make magic happen.
Then too.....Bullets seated close to the rifling do allot to center the bullet (AND the CARTRIDGE) with the bore.....which serves to promote accuracy: Big Time!
Immagine if the cartridge "lays" in the chamber loosely.....when the trigger is pulled.....the firing pin strikes the primer.....driving it forward at a slight (and most likely variable) angle. This can be substantially different from one cartridge to another. How can this promote accuracy?
Instead, remove the loose tolerances.....get the bullet closely aligned with the bore of the rifle.....and bingo!......accuracy results.
I originated the Stoney Point OAL Guage (now made by my friends at Hornady) and the various measuring tools by Stoney Point. (comparators, rimfire, and headspace gauges). I can assure you they are very good tools, and quite precise, when used in the way they were designed.....and STILL will provide the needed results when used correctly. Tho....you still need to be able to read instructions, and take some time to learn how to measure correctly and to use the data supplied.
I always strived to keep the integrity of these tools to promote accuracy for the average reloader and accuracy buff....and it sometimes pains me to see folks that cannot measure the thickness of a dime twice in a row....yet think they have all the right data when it comes to measuring other things.
Practice a bit with these precise tools folks. Use your calipers to measure some hair or the thickness of a piece of paper....and coins...and such. Keep in mind....that you are measuring a tapered bullet (ogive) and try to get a straight-line measurement (which the tools do afford). It will take a bit of practice, proper set-up, and some "jiggling" to remove the slack from your measurements.
Not everyone comes up with the same dimensions of a dime. If you cannot get the same dimensions when measuring such objects.....then you may not be ready for the OAL Guage and comparators. Work on it a bit. Practice makes perfect.... Just say'in.
Tom aka: 2 Wild Dueces.
Most bottleneck cartridges are tapered.....and the tapered cartridges fit chambers which are tapered to closely accept them. Kinda like putting a funnel (the cartridge) into a slightly larger funnel (the chamber). The better the fit of those funnels....the more centered the tips of the funnels (which represent the bullet and the bore).
This is why a concentric cartridge.....which properly fits a chamber will shoot straighter than one with a cartridge laying on "the bottom" of a chamber. Get those dimensions to closely mirror one another.....and you can make magic happen.
Then too.....Bullets seated close to the rifling do allot to center the bullet (AND the CARTRIDGE) with the bore.....which serves to promote accuracy: Big Time!
Immagine if the cartridge "lays" in the chamber loosely.....when the trigger is pulled.....the firing pin strikes the primer.....driving it forward at a slight (and most likely variable) angle. This can be substantially different from one cartridge to another. How can this promote accuracy?
Instead, remove the loose tolerances.....get the bullet closely aligned with the bore of the rifle.....and bingo!......accuracy results.
I originated the Stoney Point OAL Guage (now made by my friends at Hornady) and the various measuring tools by Stoney Point. (comparators, rimfire, and headspace gauges). I can assure you they are very good tools, and quite precise, when used in the way they were designed.....and STILL will provide the needed results when used correctly. Tho....you still need to be able to read instructions, and take some time to learn how to measure correctly and to use the data supplied.
I always strived to keep the integrity of these tools to promote accuracy for the average reloader and accuracy buff....and it sometimes pains me to see folks that cannot measure the thickness of a dime twice in a row....yet think they have all the right data when it comes to measuring other things.
Practice a bit with these precise tools folks. Use your calipers to measure some hair or the thickness of a piece of paper....and coins...and such. Keep in mind....that you are measuring a tapered bullet (ogive) and try to get a straight-line measurement (which the tools do afford). It will take a bit of practice, proper set-up, and some "jiggling" to remove the slack from your measurements.
Not everyone comes up with the same dimensions of a dime. If you cannot get the same dimensions when measuring such objects.....then you may not be ready for the OAL Guage and comparators. Work on it a bit. Practice makes perfect.... Just say'in.
Tom aka: 2 Wild Dueces.
Last edited: