Is this safe??

[Santa Cruz Armory]

Ok, here's the deal. I have this box of 75gr. A-Max bullets, I want to load them for my AR. (this is just a dummy round)

If I seat the bullet to the max length 2.26, it looks like this:




This looks unsafe to me because it looks like it's seated too far. But any longer and it wont fit in the mag.

Ok, so I think can I just load each round individually, but what is the max overall length that I can have??

And I saw a chart at one point that showed the maximum weight bullets you can use for different twist barrels. All mine are 1:9.

[Gunsrruss]

75 A-max OAL

Ok, here's the deal. I have this box of 75gr. A-Max bullets, I want to load them for my AR. (this is just a dummy round)

If I seat the bullet to the max length 2.26, it looks like this:


This looks unsafe to me because it looks like it's seated too far. But any longer and it wont fit in the mag.

Ok, so I think can I just load each round individually, but what is the max overall length that I can have??

And I saw a chart at one point that showed the maximum weight bullets you can use for different twist barrels. All mine are 1:9.

The 75gr A-max is primarly for single fire in AR's. I have about 600 of them myself. I have to agree with OCABJ on the 2.390 length. After all he has the book in front of him I don't. Other than the Noslers the Hornadys have had the best prices The way you have that loaded could lead to some significant pressure problems, as well as poor accuracy. Some of the better shooters I know swear by the 75 A-max, but only at the length I have given.
They use the 75 A-max for shooting 600yds. You can also use it for slow single fire. You should also use the .223 Redding seating die to protect the point and give yourself a more uniformed OAL. This adds to accuracy. Take care and good shooting

[ocabj]

Simple Answer: NO.

BTW: Take that dummy round and chamber it. The bullet is most likely going to go inside the case.

[Santa Cruz Armory]

The 75gr A-max is primarly for single fire in AR's. I have about 600 of them myself. The OAL will be the same as my 80gr Noslers 2.440 or 2.450. The 75gr match Hornady will be 2.260. Other than the Noslers the Hornadys have had the best prices The way you have that loaded could lead to some significant pressure problems, as well as poor accuracy. Some of the better shooters I know swear by the 75 A-max, but only at the length I have given.
They use the 75 A-max for shooting 600yds. You can also use it for slow single fire. You should also use the .223 Redding seating die to protect the point and give yourself a more uniformed OAL. This adds to accuracy. Take care and good shooting

So, this is a Hornady A-max, I will be single loading it. So the OAL should be 2.440 or 2.260? Is this safe in a 1:9 twist 20" barrel?

Do you have a good recipe for this one?

[Santa Cruz Armory]

Added more pics.

[ocabj]

This is supposed to be from the Hornady 7th Edition manual:

Rifle: Colt AR-15, Citadel Bbl
Barrel: 20", 1-9" twist
Case: Winchester
Primer: Winchester WSR
COL: 2.390" (75gr A-MAX #22792) - SINGLE SHOT ONLY, otherwise max COL 2.250"
Max case length: 1.760"
Case trim length: 1.750"

Please note that the COL data is going be very much dependant on your chamber. The reamers used by Colt, Bushmaster, RRA, Stag, etc. vary. How much lead/freebore is going to be different, so this will affect the safe COL for the A-Max.

As far as the 2.250" length given, which is magazine length, I tried it a couple years ago before I knew better, and it simply won't work.

Try the 2.390" measurement on a dummy round and chamber it by pushing it into the chamber with your finger, tilt the rifle muzzle down to get it in most of the way, and then drop the bolt. Extract it carefully. Take a look at the bullet to see if there are severe marks from the lands/grooves. If so, you may want to seat it a little deeper because it may be jammed into the lands.

Oh, that technique is for if you don't have the Stoney Point aka Hornady COL tool. If you have the tool, definitely use that to determine the proper seating depth for the A-Max in your rifle.

[Santa Cruz Armory]

Thanks ocabj, I'm gonna print that and try it.

[Gunsrruss]

OCABJ is the man.....

Thanks ocabj, I'm gonna print that and try it.

Yea, do what OCABJ recomends. Stupid me I was going to load them using 80gr data when I have the stoney point guages right next to me. So we both learn something today. I will be loading mine using 24.7gr of WCC 846 which is like hogdon BLC-2. This is the same load I use for my Hornady Match 75gr

[rksimple]

I was shooting a match next to a guy using 75 amaxes in an AR. They were loaded to mag length, and he didn't have any apparent problems with set-back during the match.

I would never load them like this, however.

As far as using a 9 twist, I have good results with the 75 a max in a Savage 12fv with a 1 in 9 barrel. Its also 26in long and I push them about 2800 fps or more. Test them single shot and see. Your gun may like them.

[ocabj]

I was shooting a match next to a guy using 75 amaxes in an AR. They were loaded to mag length, and he didn't have any apparent problems with set-back during the match.

The powder is probably enough to keep it from going deeper into the case.