So my question is:

Usually I load up sierra rounds w/o the cannelure, but now I've got some hornadys that have it.  The sierra manual has the COAL for their spire points at 2.250, but when I load the hornadys to this length the cannelure is still a good 1/16in above the rim of the case.  Im not crimping anything; I just got the rounds with the cannelure 'cause they were cheap ;).  Anyway, do I load these suckers to the cannelure or the recommended COAL?  Or is it even going to make a difference?



Thanks,
Ben

Get a Lee Factory Crimp die.  You can effectively put a light crimp on bullets that don't have a cannelure/ below the cannelure.

Hornady loads the spire point to 2.200". I would recommend you work up a new load.  I have had very good results with H335 and Hornady SPP lightly crimped mid-cannelure.  I am sure most people could squeeze more accuracy out of them than I can

Note what SPEER says about the cannelure and COAL.............



Aloha, Mark

You can go either way, seat to an OAL as in the pic,

Or seat to mid cannelure.

You could load some both ways, shoot them and see what works best for you.

Crimp is also optional.

Seat them so they fit the mag, cycle through the action, produce the best accuracy and you have at least one bullet diameter of bullet seated into the case.  Or into the cannelure if you wish, doesn't much matter.  



SPECIAL NOTE ON CARTRIDGE OVERALL LENGTH “COL”
It is important to note that the SAAMI “COL” values are for the firearms and ammunition manufacturers industry and must
be seen as a guideline only.
The individual reloader is free to adjust this dimension to suit their particular firearm-component-weapon combination.
This parameter is determined by various dimensions such as 1) magazine length (space), 2) freebore-lead dimensions of
the barrel, 3) ogive or profile of the projectile and 4) position of cannelure or crimp groove.


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