243 wssm C.O.L. to long for chamber

[Boss-302]

I'm loading up some 243 wssm. Per the hodgdon site specs.

FC Case - brand new - resized
Sierra 100 gr spitzer boatails
Varget power 34.0-36.6 grains

The spec says 2.300" C.O.L. My problem is that length is too long for my rifle. At 2.300" the bolt will not close and I can see marks on the bullet where it is getting stuck.

I've shot another bullet/powder combo with a 2.240" C.O.L.

Should I just reduce my COL until it fits the chamber or go with the 2.24"? It's not a compressed load at 2.24". What should I be on the look out for?

 

[witchhunter]

If the data says 34-36 and you are at 34, just seat deeper until you are where you want to be. I would start at -.010. You can use a sharpie to mark your bullet and then chamber it until the marks disappear. If you are close to max, pull bullets and start at the bottom of the data. They produced that pressure at the longer COL, if you use a shorter COL, you will create more pressure, even more of you are jammed in the lands.

 

[gamestalker]

Remain at starting charge for now, and then continue seating deeper until you are no longer touching the lands. Test a few at zero oal or maybe .010" off the lands, And if accuracy is not to your liking, continue seating deeper until satisfied, then you can begin to work the powder charge up at the designated oal. I feel it is more than prudent to always start with minimum charges when oal are .020" or closer to the lands, as this is when pressures are at their highest.

GS