223 handi cartridge overall length?

[saved30ought6]

 I am about to try to reload my first 223 round,for my handi and I'm trying to figure out the c.o.l. I have sierra 69 gr hpbt matchking bullets.
   I have a speer manual listing a 70 spitzer sp col at 2.14''. The imr powder loading data web site has a 69 gr at 2.23'' & 2.3''.
    Depending on the powder.
   Saw a guy on you tube put a bullet in a lightly neck sized case, and chamber it, remove & measure the overall length.
      I tryed this and every time its different. varies from 2.3'' to 2.48''.  
                 I have imr4064  

[trotterlg]

When you do the measureing you need to push the bullet out with a cleaning rod, if you extract the cartridge you may pull the bullet out of the neck some because it is stuck in the lands.  You can neck size fairly firmly, then put the bullet in the neck a tiny amount and chamber the round, then push it out and measure what you have.  Larry

[bikerbeans]

In the FAQs there is a description, with photo I believe, that shows how to build a case length gage.  Essentially you cut a small split into a case, insert the bullet of your choice and then chamber into the gun.  The FAQs are much more detailed on how to do this, please don't go off my memory.  I built one of these gages for 223 and tried a few bullets but I didn't try the 69 grain MKs.  I am loading 55 grain FMJBTs @ 2.36", 50 grain Barnes VGs 2.34".  Both of these lengths are based on keeping a decent amount of bullet in a trimmed (1.745") case, these 2 bullets could be loaded longer and still not be on the lands of my barrel.   Good luck!

[LaOtto222]

I like to use a regular case made for a gage for this purpose, but when I do not have one, I use a split case. I just use a cutting wheel on my Dremel tool and cut a slot down to the shoulder. I then push a bullet into the case very shallow. When I put it into the chamber and close the action. I carefully pull out the case, the bullet usually comes right out with the case, but if it doesn't, then I just squeeze the slot down a little more and try again. There is usually enough bullet tension to do this with. You just have to be careful not to push the bullet into the case when you measure it. I always confirm it by seating a bullet into a regular case and then coloring it and then chamber it to see if the rifling is touching the lands or not. It works, it just much easier if you have a tool for this purpose. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[necchi]

Here's that COL guage bikerbeans mentioned;
http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums//index.php/topic,112672.msg1098350243.html

I tried it and it worked for some bullets in my 08's, but it didn't with the TTSX because my lands happened to be where the groove was in that particular bullet.
My 223 is a 1-12 so I never tried a bullet long enough to hit the lands, they's all pop-out of the case before they got close enough to touch. (darn long throated Handis! )
Like you, I was getting inconsistant measurement and finally broke down and got a Hornady OAL gauge and the cases.

Remember to keep it SAFE! Seating into the lands can raise pressures beyond the safe limit!

[PowDuck]

Long time ago when I used to reload a lot, I would adjust my seating die to a longer length. Using an empty case w/o primer I'd MagicMarker the bullet. Then chamber it, extract it, and adjust teh die down a little at a time until the bullet didn't contact the lands. Put it back into the seating die and adjust it to touch the bullet. Then however much I wanted it off the lands, adjust in very small increments until I get there. Lock the die down and go to live rounds.