Over all length of .223 Remington

[ussmccord]

All,

I am trying to reload .223 Rem for my ultra rifle.  My ultra has the bull barrel.  I would like to know if anyone who reloads for this rifle knows what over all length (O.A.L.) to use for this round.  I used the cleaning rod method to measure my chamber and came out with 2.210".  I tried to seat a bullet long in an empty piece of brass and seat it in the chamber to see how far the chamber forces the bullet (55gr FMJ) into the case but every time I tried to remove the shell from the gun it left the bullet stuck in the rifling due to the force of the ejection of the cartridge.  Any help would be appreciated. 

R/ USSMCCORD

[Chas.]

You can find specs. for most common rifle cartridges here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rifle_cartridges

[Bladeforger]

You can find specs. for most common rifle cartridges here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rifle_cartridges

Cool link, Chas!!   

[ussmccord]

Chas,

Thanks for the info.  I was hoping to find out if anyone knew the actual depth that NEF cuts the chamber to.  I guess I will go with my measurement of 2.210" and deduct .02" from that to get me off the lans and start there working up my loads.

USSMCCORD

[LaOtto222]

I also have an Ultra. I can not reach the lands with a 55 grain bullet - it is out of the case by the time it reaches the lands. I can reach the lands with a 60 grain V Max, but mine is a 1 - 12" twist and does not shoot the 60 grain V Max worth a hoot. I load my favorite 50 grain V Max bullets to the Hornady manual OAL and forget it. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[ussmccord]

Thanks LaOtto222.  Right now all I have are some 55 grainers and will load them to the manual length.  Mine is also 1-12" and I am looking into getting some 45's and 50 grainers to try.

R/ USSMCCORD

[rickt300]

Why bullet seating depth is a mystery to so many mystifies me.  Mark the bullet ogive with a majic marker, seat it as far out as you can and still get a good grip on the bullet, drop it in the chamber and see if it will get flush with the rear of the barrel, if not seat the bullet deeper by a half turn of the seating adjustment and try again till you get the bullet seated a half or even a quarter turn of the die adjustment off the rifling.  Marking the bullet ogive with a black marker just makes it easier to see if the bullet is hitting the rifling.  My 223 Superlight barrel uses an overall length of 2.355 using the 60 grain Hornady HP.  No manual can give you anything closer than this method as to seating depth. If you are shooting the shorter bullets and they don't touch the rifling and they are seated out as far as is reasonable then that is what I use. Some just seat the bullet where the base of the bullet is even with the neck shoulder junction and leave it at that if the bullet doesn't hit the rifling.

[bigvarmnt]

rickt300, I think my chamber is long on my 223 S.L. Neck seems tighter than my contender barrel though. I assume yours is 1:12, if so does it shoot 60 grainers well? I'd like to try some if it's a good possibility. Thanks!

[rickt300]

Yes it shoots the 60 grain Hornady HP's very well.  It is a 1 in 12 twist barrel.  The area between the case neck ant the rifling leade is also pretty snug on this barrel.  I plan on using this barrel as a general purpose varmint killer, like coons, skunks etc that are seldom shot at long range along with any coyotes I can call in.  I have a bunch of the 60 gr. Hornady's I bought long ago from a Blemished bullet sale at Lock, stock and barrel.

[petemi]

USSMcCord.....This is off topic.  I was wondering if you were a tin can sailor?  Just an ex-squid.

Pete

[bigvarmnt]

Thanks, I've wanted to try a heavier bullet than 55 in 223 and 22-250 but didn't think it would stabilize from what I've read. Worth a try IF I can find some. I plan to get a new 223 barrel in 22" when things settle down. I like your way of finding o.a.l. I have the stony point guage but doesn't seem to work with ejecter thingy in the Handi barrels.

[ussmccord]

petemi,

I am not a tin can sailor.  Just got off my fourth carrier last Friday (May 15th).  I am still active duty with 21 years in.  Have three more years on my hitch.  I have been on USS Abraham Lincoln, USS George Washington, USS Eisenhower and last USS Enterprise. 

R/ USSMCCORD

[petemi]

I had seven years in, most in Air Ordnance and Nuclear Weapons.  My carriers were the oldies...the newest was the Forrestal.  My kid did three tours on the Vinson to the scenic gulf.  God bless you and Thank You for your service.

Pete

[bigvarmnt]

I thank you for your service also. Those little boats are AWSOME!!!!