.223 Cartridge Length, Semi-auto

CleanCut · April 10, 2000, 01:43 PM

I'm loading Hornady 68 Grn HPBT's. Hornady manual indicates COL OF 2.250". Looks pretty tight in a Mini-14 magazine. How far can I go in reducing cartidge length without exceeding pressures with this combo?

Bill Hebert · April 10, 2000, 05:55 PM

Cleancut, the Lee reloading manual lists minimum OAL for each bullet/power load. It also lists the maximum OAL (which does not vary by powder/bullet.) When I reload, I try to adjust to midpoint, but I check every round with my caliper. Many would say this is crazy, but hey, it works for me.

CleanCut · April 11, 2000, 09:44 AM

Sounds good, Bill. I know a guy who has most of the manuals. I'll check it out.

dundee · April 13, 2000, 10:50 PM

The seating depth of the bullet often has a direct impact on the accrucy of the load. As long as the round feeds ok from the magazine the way to find the best seating depth of the bullet is 1) find how far the bullet us from the rifling. 2) adjust the bullet seating for .1" bullet jump and fire some groups. Adjust the bullet seating depth .05" in and out while shooting several groups at each seating depth. Often a rifle will 'like' one seating best.

dgang · April 15, 2000, 09:12 PM

CleanCut, I agree with you. An oal of 2.250" is a bit much for the Mini's mag. A length of .240"-2.245" is about max, especially for the sharp spire-like tips on the 68 -69 gr. hpbt. on the Horn. and Sierra bullets. You didn't say what kind of powder you were using but if you using a relatively slow burner ie. Varget, I don't think .005-,010" would put you in the danger zone. Just my 2 cents. dgang

WalterGAII · April 16, 2000, 12:01 AM

Just in case you ever graduate to AR's, I'm having no trouble getting 2.260" in my AR mags. Never have any feeding problems and accuracy is terrific.

CleanCut · April 17, 2000, 01:21 PM

dgang:
Using H335. I'll test it out with a 40 rounder. Will shorten as needed.
Thx

CleanCut · April 17, 2000, 01:43 PM

Walter:
You mean AR-10 in .308, right? Accuracy wise, I would just use a bolt gun. Heavy barrel Savage, .308, .5" groups $480, w/ scope add a couple hundred.

April 10, 2000, 01:43 PM	#1
CleanCut Member Join Date: February 3, 2000 Posts: 97	I'm loading Hornady 68 Grn HPBT's. Hornady manual indicates COL OF 2.250". Looks pretty tight in a Mini-14 magazine. How far can I go in reducing cartidge length without exceeding pressures with this combo?

April 10, 2000, 05:55 PM	#2
Bill Hebert Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 1999 Posts: 180	Cleancut, the Lee reloading manual lists minimum OAL for each bullet/power load. It also lists the maximum OAL (which does not vary by powder/bullet.) When I reload, I try to adjust to midpoint, but I check every round with my caliper. Many would say this is crazy, but hey, it works for me.

April 11, 2000, 09:44 AM	#3
CleanCut Member Join Date: February 3, 2000 Posts: 97	Sounds good, Bill. I know a guy who has most of the manuals. I'll check it out.

April 13, 2000, 10:50 PM	#4
dundee Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1998 Location: mytown,mi,usa Posts: 162	The seating depth of the bullet often has a direct impact on the accrucy of the load. As long as the round feeds ok from the magazine the way to find the best seating depth of the bullet is 1) find how far the bullet us from the rifling. 2) adjust the bullet seating for .1" bullet jump and fire some groups. Adjust the bullet seating depth .05" in and out while shooting several groups at each seating depth. Often a rifle will 'like' one seating best.

April 15, 2000, 09:12 PM	#5
dgang Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 204	CleanCut, I agree with you. An oal of 2.250" is a bit much for the Mini's mag. A length of .240"-2.245" is about max, especially for the sharp spire-like tips on the 68 -69 gr. hpbt. on the Horn. and Sierra bullets. You didn't say what kind of powder you were using but if you using a relatively slow burner ie. Varget, I don't think .005-,010" would put you in the danger zone. Just my 2 cents. dgang

April 16, 2000, 12:01 AM	#6
WalterGAII Junior member Join Date: November 7, 1999 Posts: 1,516	Just in case you ever graduate to AR's, I'm having no trouble getting 2.260" in my AR mags. Never have any feeding problems and accuracy is terrific.

April 17, 2000, 01:21 PM	#7
CleanCut Member Join Date: February 3, 2000 Posts: 97	dgang: Using H335. I'll test it out with a 40 rounder. Will shorten as needed. Thx

April 17, 2000, 01:43 PM	#8
CleanCut Member Join Date: February 3, 2000 Posts: 97	Walter: You mean AR-10 in .308, right? Accuracy wise, I would just use a bolt gun. Heavy barrel Savage, .308, .5" groups $480, w/ scope add a couple hundred.