hello all. i've recently started back reloading after years off. while i used to load handgun ammo and cast bullets, i never really got into rifle loading. that's what i'm doing, now - trying to fead the hungry new M4 i just finished building
i was hoping one of y'all could advise the minimum overall cartridge length for .223 / 5.56 also, while i was trimming cases, i found one or two that managed to get slightly under the minimum case length which i believe to be 1.750" what i'm wondering is how far under is worth throwing the brass away? if a couple of 1.749's made it through, would that be a big deal?
thanx.
Posts: 3 | Location: Central Florida | Registered: 18 March 2005
I have shot both the mini-14 and Remington 700 BDL Bull barrel varmint rifle in .233. I have shot a lot of rounds with cases below 1.750 and had no problem with them. I ran into military rounds that were about 1.730 and they fired real good. Of course we would like to start at 1.750 but sometimes a few are below that. Where to quit, well don't know but I wouldn't get below the 1.730 anyway.
Posts: 671 | Location: none | Registered: 14 February 2005
Originally posted by JAL: I didn't know there was a minimum cartridge length, as long as it feeds. Though I don't like it if the bullet base is down past the sholder. John L.
that's what i've heard a few folks say, but then i've heard others say the amount of distance the projectile travels prior to encounter the resistance of the rifling (freebore?), drastically changes chamber pressure. so i wasn't sure.
i know max OAL is 2.260 my old loads were 2.258, these seem to be a little shorter 2.220 and i was just concerened with whether or not i was getting too short.
thanx
Posts: 3 | Location: Central Florida | Registered: 18 March 2005
Originally posted by injunwil: that's what i've heard a few folks say, but then i've heard others say the amount of distance the projectile travels prior to encounter the resistance of the rifling (freebore?), drastically changes chamber pressure. so i wasn't sure.
More freebore does lower pressures a little (not drastically), but only when the OAL remains constant. If you decrease the OAL, then pressure will increase.