150 gr fmj-bt hornady OAL

[tcoz]

The COAL of 2.235 that Hodgdon lists is correct for the IB bullet, but not for the FMJBT. Look up both bullets on the Hornady website and you'll see that they have two different profiles. The IB has a BC of .415 compared to .398 for the FMJBT, indicating a longer more streamlined bullet. The picture of them bears this out. That would indicate a longer COAL would be in order.

I almost made the same mistake until I did as always before starting to load a new caliber. I bought a box of commercial ammo that uses the same bullet or at least the same profile and weight (Fiocchi) and measured them. I found that every one was 2.065-2.075. This was verified by the post referenced by Dochartaigh, indicating the best COAL for that specific bullet to be 2.065. Although the basis for that number is different, the basic premise is the same. Best COAL for feeding and chambering of the Hornady 150gr FMJBT is 2.065. I've used 2.065 up to 2.080 with good results.

Where I may disagree with Hodgdon is their load data for the 150gr bullet. Using the IB bullet they show a min of 15.0 and a max of 16.2. When I was researching loads, that 16.2 max was an outlier. I looked at over 20 different loads from published as well as non-published sources and nowhere did I see a max under 17.0. The most commonly used load was around 16.5. I laddered 15.5 to 16.7 and had absolutely no pressure signs whatsoever until 16.7. I settled on 15.8. Lyman's relatively new AR Reloading Handbook lists the Hornady 150gr FMJBT with H110 at 15.5 minimum to 17.0 maximum with a COAL of 2.065.

I have a feeling that 2.235 COAL has misled a lot of people since it seems the FMJBT is an extremely popular (cheap) bullet and I haven't seen that many talking about using the IB bullet. I think Hodgdon should also test and indicate data for the 150gr FMJBT bullet to avoid confusion.

[ESW]

I posted a thread on the Hornady 3037 bullet. I'm a newbie to this round. Check it out, it might give you some insight, I got some good advice too.

I had good success with my first outing loading 300 BLK with IMR 4227, WSR Primer and the 150g # 3037 FMJ-BT. At 17.2 Grains I shot a .90" group. COAL is posted, I can't recall the length but it's between 2.050 and 2.080". I posted in that thread. The longer OAL posted for the interbond bullet is way to long for the #3037 bullet.

[r.tenorio671]

...the chart with recommend OAL's was by Mr. Silvers,and the purpose was to ensure accurate alignment of the cartridge in the standard magazine for proper and reliable feeding. The recommended lengths were based on the shape of the particular bullets profile and ogive and where it contacted the rib in the standard magazine.

...don't blithely apply one concept to another function, you more than likely will get an unexpected and surprising result, not always a pleasant one at that.

[Alex Wilson]

[quote="Dochartaigh"]Good call on some manufactured ammo. That's what I always start with in a new gun (a box at least) so I know the gun shoots and any mistakes after that are most likely the rounds I loaded myself. Here's the chart I've seen cross-posted everywhere with OAL for different bullets (still don't know where it's from – if anybody knows please clue me in).

Hornady 110 V-Max, OAL: 2.010
Hornady 150 FMj-BT 3037, 2.065 OAL

This is exactly where I load my rounds. I never knew that chart existed. I got to those lengths by old fashion ladders. I narrowed down a grain charge that gave me the best accuracy then adjusted the COAL up and down until I was happy.

[steve franklin]

Honaday's OAL guage would answer this question.

[r.tenorio671]

...here's the info from the post about recommended COAL for specific bullets and the rationale for said recommendations. I did a cut & paste when it came out so I don't have the URL for the original post.

*******************
" Existing AR magazines have a rib which normally contacts the 5.56mm case-neck. With 300 BLK ammo, the contact is on the bullet. Because the bullet is a larger diameter, the rib will push the cartridges out of alignment, and can lead to binding potentially resulting in Failures to Feed. For this reason, it is important to load ammunition so that the contact point with the magazine rib is on the bullet ogive in an area of about 0.250 inch diameter. Here are some suggested OAL for popular bullets:

Hornady 110 V-Max, OAL: 2.000
110 TSX, 2.015 OAL
Sierra 155 Palma, 2.150 OAL
Sierra 220, 2.089 OAL
Lapua B416 200 grain, 1.960 OAL
Hornady 150 FMJ-BT 3037, 2.065 OAL
Nosler Ballistic Tip 125 grain, OAL: 2.085
Remington AccuTip 125 grain, OAL: 2.085
Hornady 130 SP #3020, OAL: 2.010
Sierra H2120 125 ProHunter, OAL: 1.950
Speer TNT 125 1986, OAL: 2.010

"
******************************

[AR-300]

2.08 OAL, 16.0 gr H110
Redding dies + Lee FCD
R-P factory brass
best three shot group 0.65" at 100 yds

[ESW]

2.08 OAL, 16.0 gr H110
Redding dies + Lee FCD
R-P factory brass
best three shot group 0.65" at 100 yds

Are both of those Hornady 3037's? The one on the left "appears" thinner but that might just be the lighting/reflection, seems be pressed a touch deeper and looks longer overall compared to the on on the right? Is that a 4 shot group on a 1/2" grid, 3 in one ragged hole? Nice work.

I'd love to see a series of threads where people can post their loads with bullet weight ranges (the number listed as the lowest weight) 110 grains+, 120's, 130's, 140's, 150's etc.

[tcoz]

For my purposes, they're the best bullet available for the price. I bought some new 147gr Magtech M80's, but I didn't like them as much so I'm gonna use them in .30-06 for the M1 Garand that I'm waiting for. If you haven't already seen it, take a look at the thread I started about the Hornady blems I recently bought.

viewtopic.php?f=141&t=93310

[AR-300]

Are both of those Hornady 3037's? The one on the left "appears" thinner but that might just be the lighting/reflection, seems be pressed a touch deeper and looks longer overall compared to the on on the right? Is that a 4 shot group on a 1/2" grid, 3 in one ragged hole? Nice work.

Identical bullets, it is just a trick of the light.
three shot group on 1/2" grid
I had poor luck with M80s, could never get them under 3"
But that was before I free floated the barrel and upgraded the optics