Case length for AR

Metal god · June 2, 2013, 05:23 PM

I'm getting ready to start reloading for my AR .I've never reloaded before so this is all new to me . Still waiting on back ordered bullets and powder . I have a couple thousand rounds of brass and started cleaning , sizing and swaging the primer pockets .

I have read and or was told that if I'm going to crimp I will want all my cases to be the same length . I believe this is so each crimp will be consistent to the next . I bought the lee manual case cutting tool for 223 . It cuts them very well and very consistent . the problem if there is one is it cuts them to 1.745 and my reloading book says cut the case to 1.750 . Is the cutter cutting the cases to small or will that length be fine . I have about 500 cases cleaned and sized . I stopped at 500 cus I'm not even sure if all of those are done correctly . I did the work per the instructions I'm assuming there fine . Just don't want to ruin all 2k all at once before I even reload one .

Anyways I started cutting them to length and stopped at about 20 cus they all are .005 less the what the Hornady book recommends . Is the 1.750 just a recommendation or is it the minimum length I should go .

Ifishsum · June 2, 2013, 06:35 PM

.005 shorter is no problem, load them up and shoot them. I once accidentally trimmed a batch more than .010 short myself, still worked fine. Good thing is that it should be that much longer before you have to trim them again

trobin · June 3, 2013, 06:32 AM

I wouldn't even crimp the rounds if you have good neck tension.

Mohave-Tec · June 3, 2013, 08:06 AM

Chamfer and deburr to take the edge off the case mouth. The case will likely be 'book' length after you fire it again.

trobin · June 4, 2013, 06:39 AM

I double checked my cases I have prepped and ready to load. They are at 1.733-1.739. They all hold primers, powder, and projectiles.

June 2, 2013, 05:23 PM	#1
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 7,135	Case length for AR I'm getting ready to start reloading for my AR .I've never reloaded before so this is all new to me . Still waiting on back ordered bullets and powder . I have a couple thousand rounds of brass and started cleaning , sizing and swaging the primer pockets . I have read and or was told that if I'm going to crimp I will want all my cases to be the same length . I believe this is so each crimp will be consistent to the next . I bought the lee manual case cutting tool for 223 . It cuts them very well and very consistent . the problem if there is one is it cuts them to 1.745 and my reloading book says cut the case to 1.750 . Is the cutter cutting the cases to small or will that length be fine . I have about 500 cases cleaned and sized . I stopped at 500 cus I'm not even sure if all of those are done correctly . I did the work per the instructions I'm assuming there fine . Just don't want to ruin all 2k all at once before I even reload one . Anyways I started cutting them to length and stopped at about 20 cus they all are .005 less the what the Hornady book recommends . Is the 1.750 just a recommendation or is it the minimum length I should go . __________________ If Jesus had a gun , he'd probably still be alive ! I almost always write my posts regardless of content in a jovial manor and intent . If that's not how you took it , please try again . Last edited by Metal god; June 3, 2013 at 12:46 AM.

June 2, 2013, 06:35 PM	#2
Ifishsum Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,035	.005 shorter is no problem, load them up and shoot them. I once accidentally trimmed a batch more than .010 short myself, still worked fine. Good thing is that it should be that much longer before you have to trim them again

June 3, 2013, 06:32 AM	#3
trobin Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: Louisiana Posts: 133	I wouldn't even crimp the rounds if you have good neck tension.

June 3, 2013, 08:06 AM	#4
Mohave-Tec Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2013 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 118	Chamfer and deburr to take the edge off the case mouth. The case will likely be 'book' length after you fire it again.

June 4, 2013, 06:39 AM	#5
trobin Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: Louisiana Posts: 133	I double checked my cases I have prepped and ready to load. They are at 1.733-1.739. They all hold primers, powder, and projectiles.