NEWB RELOADER NEEDS HELP (.223 and OAL)

[Alvin Tostig]

Hey everyone,

I'm about to make my first ever hand loads and have a question about my bullet seating depth.

Rifle: Savage 10FP .223
Bullet: Sierra Matchking 69gr HPBT

My Lyman manual says to reload to an OAL of 2.260". However, I've read that in the pursuit of accuracy my Sierra bullets should dial in around 0.010" to 0.025" off the lands.

To find the lands, I seated a bullet a bullet relatively high (2.370") and slowly closed the bolt. There was mild resistance and I found that the bullet seated a little deeper (2.360"). I then used my press to seat another bullet a little deeper (2.340") and observed no resistance when turning the bolt or markings on the bullet. Is it a fair assumption that my bullets will engage the lands when seated to an OAL of approximately 2.350"?

I'm considering seating some initial loads at:
2.290"
2.300"
2.310"
2.320"
2.330"
2.340"

Does this seem off to anyone? It's almost 0.100" longer than the recommended length in the Lyman manual. I don't want to do anything to endanger myself or other shooters around me.

[Beelzy]

Just watch for exceesive pressure signs.

That 0.100" variation is somewhat normal when making the round longer.

Just don't go shorter than the stated Max. COAL. That's when the ugly things
happen.

[Alvin Tostig]

Just watch for exceesive pressure signs.

That 0.100" variation is somewhat normal when making the round longer.

Just don't go shorter than the stated Max. COAL. That's when the ugly things
happen.

Ugly things like what?

[domokun]

Ugly things like what?

Kabooom!

[mvpatriot]

no canny on the bullet? You can use that as a rough guide.

[rabagley]

If you go shorter than spec, you've reduced the effective case volume, which means a faster pressure spike, faster burn rate, and higher max pressure. Get that pressure too high == bad news.

If you go longer than spec, you've increased the effective case volume, which means a slower pressure spike, slower burn rate, and lower max pressure. Since most rifle rounds will push the bullet out at MUCH lower pressure than SAAMI spec, there's almost no risk on the downside of having slightly low pressure.

This is also why it's a bad idea to randomly switch kinds bullets without going back to the books and coming up with starting loads for that bullet. The bullet size, shape, and weight determine how much volume is inside the cartridge and that can have dramatic effects on pressure.

[Gunsrruss]

AOL

Make them 2.260 and stop all this crap. Your not at a point in your reloading to be chasing lans and grooves. Load them to the 2.260 and play with that for awhile.when you get some time in reloading then step up to 80gr bullets at 2.435 aol. You will see better accuracy with the 80gr bullets. You can also try 75gr A-max at 2.390 AOL. These also will give you excellent accuracy in the better rifles. Try not to make a 69gr bullet do what the 75 and 80's were made for, and that is accuracy.

[WhoISJohnGalt]

Shorten OAL of 75 gr AMAX?

Can I shorten the OAL of 75 gr Hornady AMAX to load in magazine? Following 49th ed. of Lyman and using 23 gr of Varget... I didn't notice any indication that the OAL would be too long to fit in the magazine - made a few rounds and sure enough - it doesn't fit! Yes I'm a newbie, and now I have a box of bullets that I can't use, but would be a great fit for my 1:7 twist Colt AR. How do I estimate how much less powder to use for a shorter bullet seating?

Thanks to anyone that responds to this old post!

[Linkpimp]

For what it’s wroth / IMO, I strongly recommend that you stick with the basics for now and go with an OAL of 2.260.

That’s my two cents..

Best of luck and let us know how they shoot

Link

[bruceflinch]

OP;
What is the barrel twist rate?
Does the MFG recommend a 69g bullet? There is a tool for measuring the chamber/headspace. I used one w/ the help of an experienced loader on my first 223 rounds. Makes for nice groups, with the right bullet. Good Luck.

John Galt: Unless you have a crimp on the cartridges, you can seat the bullets a little deeper to fit the magazine. If you crimped, then you will have to pull the bullets & reuse the components assembled to work correctly. Good Luck to you, too!

[damndave]

Can I shorten the OAL of 75 gr Hornady AMAX to load in magazine? Following 49th ed. of Lyman and using 23 gr of Varget... I didn't notice any indication that the OAL would be too long to fit in the magazine - made a few rounds and sure enough - it doesn't fit! Yes I'm a newbie, and now I have a box of bullets that I can't use, but would be a great fit for my 1:7 twist Colt AR. How do I estimate how much less powder to use for a shorter bullet seating?

Thanks to anyone that responds to this old post!

The 75gr A-Max is too long of a bullet to set to mag length. Try one and see what I mean

[damndave]

for a DYI headspace gauge, I get a resized case and use a dremel cutter tool to slit the neck on both sides. This relieves the neck tension. Then (by hand) seat a bullet long. Insert it into the chamber and push it in with a cleaning rod or wooden dowel. Gently push the round out from the opposite end and measure the ogive from there. repeat 10 or so times and use the avg. Then you will know where the bullet touches the lands.

[Dark Mod]

Have you worked up a load yet? I was gonna tell you not to worry about seating to the lands, but now that i think about it it actually kinda makes sense. Especially if you work up a load you intend to shoot from the lands anyway.... Either way, you sound like you know what your doing so i trust you havent done anything completely retarded yet, good luck