400 .223 cases below minimum, can I load them?

[ACES&8S]

I purchased two hundred Lapua cases before I knew they were made shorter. Literally all but one measured one and seven hundred fourty three thousandths. The one was longer and also an extra, it was cut down the neck to make a seating depth comparator.

All worked as advertised. My chamber is a touch longer than usual, so the shorter cases leave a bit of residue that can build up in front of the neck. The carbon ring is scrubbed out after every two hundred round cycle with a bit of Flitz.

As long as they are all consistent they should work fine. May I inquire what you are shooting them though?

Shooting them thru a Rem 700 tactical & an encore pistol 15" bbl.

 

[ACES&8S]

The amount of length variation you are getting is not dangerous. But if you crimp your ammo obviously they will all have to be uniform. So don't crimp & you'll be okay.

Before brass was so easily attainable & military .30-06 brass was surplussed really cheap, shooters sized it to make their .270 & .280 cases. Left the chamber neck a little dirtier but no ploblems.

I don't crimp for the encore pistol but only a medium consistent crimp for the Rem 700 tactical.
Thanks for the reply.

 

[ACES&8S]

They head space on the shoulder not the neck. Load 'em and shoot 'em.

Very good point.

 

[ATLDave]

I realize case capacity has changed & seating deeper would increase pressure.

Not if you load to the same OAL it hasn't. What has changed is the amount of neck grabbing the bullet. You might have less tension. You might have trouble crimping (if you decide to crimp). But unless you screw your seater in deeper to shorten overall length, the powder will have exactly the same amount of space inside the brass.

 

[ACES&8S]

Not if you load to the same OAL it hasn't. What has changed is the amount of neck grabbing the bullet. You might have less tension. You might have trouble crimping (if you decide to crimp). But unless you screw your seater in deeper to shorten overall length, the powder will have exactly the same amount of space inside the brass.

That's true.