reloading .223 past COAL for 5.56

Farlsincharge

Farlsincharge

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I have a rifle chamber in 5.56 and have been seating my bullets long to get them closer to the lands while still fitting in the mag. The c.o.a.l. is 2.250 and I am at 2.290. They are still a long ways from the lands however.

My first question is, is there any danger in doing this? Secondly am I safer to go past max load because I have more room in the case? Will my velocity be lower than published from reduced pressure?

I am using varget and want to use a compressed load so would I be safe in doing so. I will of course be building up to this load, but I want your opinion.

I have another query as well. I am building an accurate load using my best brass as well as performing every process on said brass. I also have quite a few brass with dents from semiautos. I know they are safe to reload, but does anyone have any experience on how using this brass would change both accuracy and poi on a known load made up using non dented brass.
 
The c.o.a.l. of 2.250" is for mag fitment (you knew that) - but more importantly, a safe length of mag fitment into typical AR or similar magazines.
I have loaded to 2.260" but wouldn't push that if you want them to reliably feed from an AR or similar. (as an example the sig mags will allow longer oal - 2.350" or there abouts if memory serves).

So at 2.290", does your ammunition still feed reliably from the magazine?

To answer your questions,
There are a lot of variables at work here (such as type of bullets used, lengths of bullets, their bearing surface, max. oal your mag can take, etc.) but generally speaking No, seating them out (and having them still fit the mag) won't, in most cases cause too much of a stir, as the changes will likely be minimal. You could very likely stuff a bit more powder in, and still be safe, but again, the differences (and gains) will likely be marginal.
Some loading of Varget will see it compressed with no issues of high pressures, but obviously you should work up to these yourself.
I have found Varget to be a decent powder, but stuffing .5 grains more usually garners no more than 80fps on average when going from say 24.5 to 25 grains (again, generally - without actually supplying you with actual load data.)

If you are loading for a semi-auto, the only brass prep I'd recommend following is cleaning(tumbling), F.L. sizing, cleaning again, trim to length, inside and outside de-burr, and loading.
Accuracy gains from primer pocket uniforming, neck turning, sorting, etc. are highly doubtful, and if it gives you anything, it is suspect.

Accuracy and poi change will not happen from minor dings compared to new.
 
Farlsincharge said:
Thanks beltfed, as always I appreciate it. just a comment though about uniforming, isn't it good practice to reduce chances of a high primer in a semi auto?
Click to expand...

I've never uniformed a primer pocket.
I used to clean them, until I realized it is a waste of time; even for my bolt guns.
 
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