Bullet seating depth for .223 Rem

[agentzundrcovr]

I'm loading .223 for my Mini-14 and my AR. I've searched but can't quite get a straight answer about the bullet seating depth. I'm loading 55 grain Hornady SP, and I want to know how I determine how for to seat my bullets. Is the measurement based off of the overall length of the cartridge, the amount of bullet sticking out, or the amount of bullet in the brass?

[whagkangmakulet]

OAL , I measure mine with a caliper from the base of the brass(primer side) up to the tip of the bullet.

[BamBam-31]

Use a bullet comparator. Measures from the curve of the bullet, not the bullet tip. OAL measurements using bullet tips as datum are not good indicators.

[bohoki]

if they fit in the magazine they are deep enough

a little tip i got from uncle larry

[halifax]

Hornady data says 2.200 COL (i.e., base to tip)

[NotSoFast]

OAL is from the base to the tip of the bullet.

I have a .223 semi-auto so in order to fit in the magazine, I measure OAL and not from the ogive. I don't have my books or cartridges in front of me right now so I can't tell you what that actual length is. I go by what is in the book or what fits my magazine, whichever is less.

[agentzundrcovr]

Thanks a bunch for all the info. I guess my primary concern is the relationship to the headspacing on my upper and pressure when the round is fired, and how much that can affect accuracy

[Rangerat]

OAL is from the base to the tip of the bullet.

I have a .223 semi-auto so in order to fit in the magazine, I measure OAL and not from the ogive. I don't have my books or cartridges in front of me right now so I can't tell you what that actual length is. I go by what is in the book or what fits my magazine, whichever is less.

For .223 Rem the max OAL for magazine function is 2.260". For my rifle with Wylde chamber this gives a jump of 0.040". To load with ogive closer to rifling (longer OAL) requires loading one round at a time.

[NotSoFast]

For .223 Rem the max OAL for magazine function is 2.260". For my rifle with Wylde chamber this gives a jump of 0.040". To load with ogive closer to rifling (longer OAL) requires loading one round at a time.

I'm kloading for a semi-auto so I limit myself to mag length so I limit myself to 2.250 max for clearance. For me that is more important than chambering.

[hylander]

As others have said, it must fit in the mag.
Aside from that, I think the most important thing is that you need to have
at least the diameter of the bullet seated in the case.
For example if you are loading for the .223 useing a .224 bullet you need to have the bullet seated close .224 inside the case. This helps to start the bullet straight into the lands, which is more important than getting the bullet close to the lands. I had an H&R .223 that you could not reach the lands with a 55 grain bullet
I had to seat them off the lands .120, it still shot under MOA.
I have a Mini-14 that I hand load for, I seat a 50 V-Max .040 off the lands and it shoots under MOA.
I think you will most likely find that especially with the .223, seating to bullet manufacturers specs will get you the best feeding and the best accuracy.
Anyway it works for me, all my rifles and handguns shoot their best using this method, and they all shoot well under MOA.

[ar15barrels]

I load most 55gr bullets to 2.25" in 223.
That's the "nominal" OAL for the cartridge.