Seating depth question for .223

[kdsd731]

Newbie question. For my AR15 .223 rounds the book spec is 2.200", however, the 55gr FMJBT W/C don't have the cannelure in the right spot to set it that deep. The canelure becomes covered. Is it a big deal to set it to 2.250" to use the cannelure? I'm sure it's no big deal especially since I have boughten rounds that are that length, but it's better safe than sorry. Thanks guys!

[bohoki]

i seat mine at 2.23 (coincidental number) but i trim my brass to like 1.745 maybe you are not trimmed enough

[Ahhnother8]

Is it a big deal to set it to 2.250" to use the cannelure?

Nope, as long as they fit in YOUR magazines.

[livefire]

few times is it ok to be metro....this is one of those times. Trim that stuff. On the other hand my self loader .223 loads up fine at 2.26 OAL.

[damndave]

I load mine at 2.25 COAL. As long as they chamber and fit into your magazine.

[rg1]

Seating from 2.218-2.230" puts the cannelure of my Hornady 55 fmj's in a correct place for crimping and I trim long, from 1.755-1.760". No problems in any rifle I've loaded for at 2.230". At 2.250" I think this is too long for that bullet and not quite the full .223" (one caliber deep) bullet inside the case mouth.

[kdsd731]

ok. for instance I just loaded a round. I measured 1.751" for the C.O.L and after seating the bullet to 2.243" the cannelure is just barely visible. These are the 55gr fmjbt from goldenwestbrass.com

[G38xOC]

my book says 2.260 OAL on 55 FMJBT . that tells me ur seating the bullet too deep

[gau17]

You can load them to mag length 2.260. I usually make them around 2.250.

Did you trim your cases?

[22popnsplat]

In most cases it is safe to seat a bullet with a longer overall length than the manual specs , You want to be sure that it will fit the magazine and will not have the bullet jammed into the lands of the barrel .I dont know of a factory firearm that would have a problem with a .223 or 5.56 round loaded to 2.250 oal

[Nessal]

When loading cannelure bullets, I load them to the middle of the cannelure and don't worry about COAL. When loading bullets without cannelures, I load them to the desired distance from base to O-give.