[fmj]

Originally Posted by JonM

i went from rcbs single stage to a xl650. i still use my single stage for some loading. i like it for 458 winmag/lott 30-06 and 45-70. single stages are great for low production number cartridges and no loading bench is complete without one.

for progressives i cant recomend enough the xl650. the ease of use and setup is crazy. when you get ready saving for the xl650 in my opinion is a no-brainer.

the reason there is a col difference is bullet profile. lighter bullets tend to stick out less so you get a shorter col. all the bullets in a typical load are seated to the same depth in the case so the same amount of bullet is being gripped by the case.

this makes the oal different for different bullet profiles but the depth seated the same. hope that makes sense.

i AM learning something!

[JonM]

Originally Posted by fmj

i AM learning something!

one other thing. when your using a propriatary bullet like the xtp you should be using that company's load data. for something standard like a 230grain fmj any valid load data will work just fine. if your using a hornady xtp you should be using the data hornady developed just for that bullet. while it is a 185grn bullet the ogive and length of the bullet is non-standard so you cant use another maufacturers data and still be safe.

i lean towards paranoia when it comes to reloading safety.

[fmj]

Originally Posted by JonM

one other thing. when your using a propriatary bullet like the xtp you should be using that company's load data. for something standard like a 230grain fmj any valid load data will work just fine. if your using a hornady xtp you should be using the data hornady developed just for that bullet. while it is a 185grn bullet the ogive and length of the bullet is non-standard so you cant use another maufacturers data and still be safe.

i lean towards paranoia when it comes to reloading safety.

More great info for us noobs in the reloading game!

**to the bold**
and i thought i was just anal

[Boyerracing343]

Originally Posted by JonM

one other thing. when your using a propriatary bullet like the xtp you should be using that company's load data. for something standard like a 230grain fmj any valid load data will work just fine. if your using a hornady xtp you should be using the data hornady developed just for that bullet. while it is a 185grn bullet the ogive and length of the bullet is non-standard so you cant use another maufacturers data and still be safe.

i lean towards paranoia when it comes to reloading safety.

Thanks for the input and It is greatly appreciated. I personally am very particular about my load data. I used hornady manual data for my 230 grain xtp loads. I can't wait to try them out.

Thanks again everyone who has added to this thread. I enjoy when a simple question or two turns into a very valuable learning session for myself, and I imagine a few others as well.