Over on the case length

[jkc]

I just bought a .223 and started reloading for it. I have read that the cartridge over all length should be 2.260. Is this an accurate number for all bullets, or does it change with bullet shape?
My usual process is to get some factory ammo, shoot it, and reload the brass. I take a once fired case and snugly fit in a bullet, and chamber it in my rifle. Pull it out of the chamber and measure for cartridge length. The place I'm at now is 2.306.(I did this process several times, all results were similar. +-.01)

I guess my question is, is this normal? is there a problem with the barrel? All the factory ammo I have is considerably shorter than the 2.260 max suggestion.

The bullets are 40 grain blitzkings.

 

[hoochie]

my Sierra reloading cd says the 40gr blitz should be 2.250, but yes.. the AOL will change with different bullet weights. A 80gr is 2.550. They get longer or shorter, sometimes the same.

 

[Hotwheels81]

I just bought a .223 and started reloading for it. I have read that the cartridge over all length should be 2.260. Is this an accurate number for all bullets, or does it change with bullet shape?
My usual process is to get some factory ammo, shoot it, and reload the brass. I take a once fired case and snugly fit in a bullet, and chamber it in my rifle. Pull it out of the chamber and measure for cartridge length. The place I'm at now is 2.306.(I did this process several times, all results were similar. +-.01)

I guess my question is, is this normal? is there a problem with the barrel? All the factory ammo I have is considerably shorter than the 2.260 max suggestion.

The bullets are 40 grain blitzkings.

Ya when you measure off the lands like your doing you pretty much throw cartridge overall length as advertized out the perverbial window... Keep in mind that when you seat to the lands and are over book max length you will have different results to there corresponding load data such as charge weight and pressures....

Are you seating right to the length you get when you chamber the dud round or backing it off a bit?

Also Im curious what rifle your loading for?

 

[Hotwheels81]

And here's a quick tidbit on OAL...
http://www.larrywillis.com/OAL.html

 

[jkc]

Thanks for the great reply. That was exactly what I was looking for.

I am a noob to reloading and only do the 25/06 rem and now the .223 rem. I have had great results with the 25/06 and I back it .005 off the lands. With that cartridge I am still under the book length.

A friend of mine questions why I am setting the length as I am. I think that if I am going through all the trouble to role my own, I might as well make the best possible ammo I can, for my own gun. This is why I got the neck sizing dies for both my rifles.

I have always started at the minimum charge the book suggests, but i realize the pressure will be higher. No chrony, but good results on paper. Both of these rounds are strictly hunting and recreational oriented.

 

[joe-nwt]

You would benifit greatly from reading a reloading manual. It is quite obvious from your questions that you haven't.

 

[senior]

You would benifit greatly from reading a reloading manual. It is quite obvious from your questions that you haven't.

After reading OPs 1st line

I have read that the cartridge over all length should be 2.260. Is this an accurate number for all bullets, or does it change with bullet shape?

Far as I'm concerned the only fixed OACL is the one that restricts anything longer from cycling in your gun.

 

[IMagius]

The only information regarding dimensions from a reloading book I check "religiously" is Case Length - all other dimensions are pretty much taken care of sicne you've already fired these shells in your rifle and fireformed the cases to fit your chamber. OAL will be determined by the bullet you are using and .010 from the lands is my preferred setup.

 

[jkc]

I guess my next investment will have to be my own reloading manual. Two years ago I borrowed three books from a friend and read them cover to cover. I must have been out to lunch when I read them. I took the load data that I needed and returned them at that time.

If the information is that blatantly obvious in the books I have to apologize. Any of the rounds I have reloaded up until now have been under the max length stated in the three books I have load data from.(all for my 25/06. 75,100, and 110 grain bullets)

As I don't have a book to reference, I thought I would pose the question to the wealth of knowledge on these internet boards. I have learned a lot by asking questions. I have learned a lot from this question as well!!!

 

[senior]

You need to realize every book 1st uses a diff rifle to get load data, 2nd some books will specify the bullet used some don't to get specific data, 3rd & most important most data on OACL is decided on to cycle in the rifle used in that particular case.
No-where does any book data give you specific bullet shape relative to distance from lands or the proper distance to lands in any specific rifle!
A book give you important measurments such as case OVAL, trim length, & in most cases only a starting point for load data, & an idea which powder may preform best in your rifle.

 

[Bart212]

Look up the SAAMI spec

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=675309

 

[rral22]

I guess my next investment will have to be my own reloading manual.

If the information is that blatantly obvious in the books I have to apologize.

As I don't have a book to reference,

I own 13 reloading manuals (several are quite old now, but I still use them for reference). Anyone who is reloading and doesn't own at least a few for reference is just not serious about either performance or safety.

Get some manuals!