Woodleigh 30cal 165 grain picture

[Pheroze]

I thought I would post this for no particular reason. One of my sons is making the trip to South Africa with me to hunt with @KMG Hunting Safaris this June and I am loading 165gr 30cal woodleighs for him. The Chamber of my 30-06 A-Bolt II seems to be quite long and these bullets are seated way out to be within 0.020(ish) off of the lands. I will see how they group. I would prefer to seat them a bit deeper but I have found Woodleigh bullets like to be seated in that range. Too deep and I cannot get them to group.

 

[CBH Australia]

If that works then run with it.

 

[Pheroze]

If that works then run with it.

That's what I think! I measured twice and seated once

 

[Ridge Runner]

The Chamber of my 30-06 A-Bolt II seems to be quite long and these bullets are seated way out to be within 0.020(ish) off of the lands. I will see how they group.

Curious:

What is the chamber length?
What is your C.O.A.L. for the Woodleigh bullets?

On 2018 trp to ZA I wanted to try Woodleigh's but couldn't get them to group as tight as the Barne's and the Hornady's. Thus I took the later 2 with me.

 

[Pheroze]

What is the chamber length?
What is your C.O.A.L. for the Woodleigh bullets?

I use the Sinclair seating depth tool. It put the COAL at 3.34. OAL i ended up setting at 3.319 as being close enough.

The brass is 2.49 so I think the bullet is in the neck only 0.387 or so (bullet is 1.087) I suppose it is more than the magical caliber length idea.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I use the Sinclair seating depth tool. It put the COAL at 3.34. OAL i ended up setting at 3.319 as being close enough.

The brass is 2.49 so I think the bullet is in the neck only 0.387 or so (bullet is 1.087) I suppose it is more than the magical caliber length idea.

Thanks Pheroze, for the info.

Any idea as to your rifles chamber length?

My T/C Encore PH and Mossberg Patriot 30-06 loads require a 3.317 max C.O.A.L. for easy feeding 3.320 works but it feels sort of tight (like the bullet is either being pushed onto the rifling or into the case) when closing the actions. The M-1 on the other hand for a steady feed without a sorted problems requires a minimum 3.325, with an optimum 3.330 (if I remember correctly, I"ll look at my reloading notes to confirm these measurements. The above measurements are coming off the reloaded ammo boxes I have with me).

 

[Pheroze]

Any idea as to your rifles chamber length?

I am not sure how to measure - I suppose the length of a fired case from head to shoulder? Thinking it through, it may well be the freebore and leade, not so much the chamber, that is the issue I am seeing?

 

[Boyd Brooks]

I thought I would post this for no particular reason. One of my sons is making the trip to South Africa with me to hunt with @KMG Hunting Safaris this June and I am loading 165gr 30cal woodleighs for him. The Chamber of my 30-06 A-Bolt II seems to be quite long and these bullets are seated way out to be within 0.020(ish) off of the lands. I will see how they group. I would prefer to seat them a bit deeper but I have found Woodleigh bullets like to be seated in that range. Too deep and I cannot get them to group.View attachment 459558

If I was just going by the picture, at a quick glance, I would say you were loading 6.5x55 rounds!

 

[Pheroze]

If I was just going by the picture, at a quick glance, I would say you were loading 6.5x55 rounds!

My thought exactly!

 

[Ridge Runner]

I am not sure how to measure - I suppose the length of a fired case from head to shoulder? Thinking it through, it may well be the freebore and leade, not so much the chamber, that is the issue I am seeing?

Thanks for the response back.

 

[Areaonereal]

I have tried woodleigh 165/180 and the 180 magnum in 30 06 with a .115 free bore. Different powders and different seating….never could get groups under 1.5 to 2.0 inch. Regardles of seating depth…
no go results.

 

[Pheroze]

I have tried woodleigh 165/180 and the 180 magnum in 30 06 with a .115 free bore. Different powders and different seating….never could get groups under 1.5 to 2.0 inch. Regardles of seating depth…
no go results.

That's frustrating! I found if they are two far from the lands they don't work well.

 

[lockingblock]

How does it group with premium factory ammo?

 

[Pheroze]

they are two far

So why the heck would auto correct insert "two" into that sentence. So much for artificial intelligence

 

[Tim Blackwell]

Great choice. Have used 180gn Woodleighs in 30/06 and 300WM on two of my trips to Africa including one at KMG. Very happy with the results.

 

[Capt_Oscar]

For my A-Bolt II's I use the longer 375H&H mags which allows me to seat past normal COAL and get to the lands. I've noticed the same as you... Woodleigh love to be close to the lands, closer the better. Barnes like to be further away. 0.050 - 0.075" off.

Say hello to Marius for me. He's a great PH, cannot wait until my next chance to hunt with him again. Enjoy your Safari. Cheers!

 

[CBH Australia]

I’ve been using some some 7mm 140gn Woodleigh ppsp this last week because they are accurate in my rifle.
1 shot kills and very effective

 

[Areaonereal]

How does it group with premium factory ammo?

Less than 1 in with factory and even less with handloads…custom barrel, trued action and bedded in a McMillan…full custom overall.

 

[Pheroze]

For my A-Bolt II's I use the longer 375H&H mags which allows me to seat past normal COAL and get to the lands. I've noticed the same as you... Woodleigh love to be close to the lands, closer the better. Barnes like to be further away. 0.050 - 0.075" off.

Say hello to Marius for me. He's a great PH, cannot wait until my next chance to hunt with him again. Enjoy your Safari. Cheers!

Will do, it won't be long now.

I experimented and have settled with a seating depth of 0.04. It's still accurate and makes me feel better lol

 

[Nicholas Barcomb]

This is what worked in my Tikka T3 Stainless Lite in .30-06 SPR and Woodleigh bullets in 165 to 240 gr PPRN. Target squares are 1", so, if you do the math with 100 yds being the zero distance.................
Good luck and stay safe!