Cartridge Overall Length

T

Twisted

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So: This reloading thing is a new, fun experience for me.

I'm toying around with loads for my Remington 700, and I'm trying to determine just how far I can safely push the COL above the spec in my Hornady reloading book (2.810).

I've loaded up some dummy rounds between 2.820-2.830. They all seem to cycle through the integral mag, and chamber easily with the bolt locked forward. My question is this: Is it safe to push beyond the recommended specs for COL, so long as the bolt is locking forward and the rounds are feeding?
 
You are on the right track, you will know when your rounds are too long. The only limiting factor will be your magazine.You can go as far as you want up to the point of them not chambering.

The OAL specs in your manuals are standardized to ensure that that particular cartridge will cycle through all manufactured firearms in that chambering. Now you are playing to see what works best in your rifle.
 
The max overall length posted is so it fits in every gun, you can tailor make your own hand loads for your rifles chamber. I do this to all my rifles. Sometimes you are limited to the length of your mag or magwell. But diffrent guns like diffrent lengths, .030 .020 or just about touching the lands, but always watch for pressure signs! and that your bolt closes without force. Most reloading manuals will explane how to do this easalyy. I use a sharpy marker on a bullet and put in a once shot brass and cycle it in action make sure it hasent moved. messure it with calliper, and set it back .020 or .030 and then make sure they all chamber well. Hornady has a exellent dvd showing all the steps needed, exellent info.

My 2cents
 
If the bullet isn't getting jammed into the throat it's fine. Seat a bullet long in an empty case and colour the exposed portion black with a marker. If any ink is removed when you close the bolt on the dummy round, the bullet is contacting the rifling. Adjust your seating depth back until there is no ink removed from the bullet when you chamber the dummy.
 
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