General .223 questions

[carloooo]

hey fellow calgunners ! so i have completed my very first load of .223 and was wondering:

1.) since the maximum OAL for the cartridge is 2.26, and my rounds are at that length, if i would have any problems chambering it? or is it a reference for it to fit in a magazine only?

2.) the bullets i am using are the golden west 62gr cannelured, and the bullet is seated right on the ending of the cannelure, is that alright?

for some reason i feel as if i seated the bullet too low, but i was only able to achieve an OAL of 2.26 with this seating.

thanks guys ! i appreciate all the help !

[popeye4]

Max cartridge OAL is spec'd to fit in the magazine. So, if you want to seat them a little longer, and they fit the magazine, you are fine. Most chamber throats are way longer than that and you won't have any issues with seating the bullet into the lands. In fact, the "standard" load for the slow fire prone in highpower (shot at 600 yds) uses an 80 gr Sierra MK bullet that CAN'T be loaded to fit the mag, it is too long and is designed to be seated close to the lands. It is fired single shot.

The cannelure is there to aid in crimping. If you want to crimp, just make sure the cannelure lines up well with the case mouth.

[carloooo]

thanks pop ! i appreciate your help !

[ejhc11]

Have you checked your brass case length? Trim length is 1.750" and max is 1.760"

I can load 60gr bullets and they are at 2.200" and my 75gr are 2.250"

[carloooo]

for the most part my case length is within those ranges. it was my error though cause i mixed my trimmed and untrimmed cases =\

[popeye4]

for the most part my case length is within those ranges. it was my error though cause i mixed my trimmed and untrimmed cases =\

Attention to detail is very important in this hobby. This has been your first lesson, it wasn't too painful. It can get a lot uglier.....

[bruceflinch]

Attention to detail is very important in this hobby. This has been your first lesson, it wasn't too painful. It can get a lot uglier.....

Is that how you got your username?


Can't substitute a set of calipers for a cannelure, OP.
Good Luck!

[carloooo]

yes pop i understand fully, and i really appreciate all your feedback guys, i am grateful for all the help :]

[popeye4]

Is that how you got your username?


Can't substitute a set of calipers for a cannelure, OP.
Good Luck!

Nah, it goes waaay back to college.....

[Dark Mod]

If you have varying brass lengths, its probably best no to crimp them at all, your just going to get an inconsistent crimp and you dont need to crimp .223 anyway.

[carloooo]

yeah i went without crimp mark