Getting ready to start reloading a bolt action in .223. From what I understand in determining max cartridge length if ignoring the magazine, I think what I should do is size a case, lightly put a bullet in it by hand, put it in the chamber, slowly close and lock the bolt, and slowly remove the cartridge and measure it. That should give me my max length and back it off by .010”. Is that right? Will the neck be too tight for the bullet to push back into the case? Any other issues to be aware of? Thanks.
Determining bullet seating depth for .223
- Thread starter CJK8
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MtnCreek
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Don't size it, lightly crimp it with your fingers or pliers then insert the bullet. Mark the bullet with a sharpy or moly so that you'll know how far in the bullet was pushed. I suggest trying this with several bullets because ojive locations vary.
Mostly what Mtncreek said.
I only use 1 bullet tho. I NS my case a small amount seated the bullet then pulled it. After the bullet has been pulled it goes in much easier the second time. After taking the dummy round out mark it with a sharpy(smoke it) then put it back in, remove, seat .001-.002, then smoke again. Keep doing this until there is no marks on the bullet from the lands.
Once finished this is my dummy round I use to set up my dies. I'll do a new one for each differnt bullet I load.
I only use 1 bullet tho. I NS my case a small amount seated the bullet then pulled it. After the bullet has been pulled it goes in much easier the second time. After taking the dummy round out mark it with a sharpy(smoke it) then put it back in, remove, seat .001-.002, then smoke again. Keep doing this until there is no marks on the bullet from the lands.
Once finished this is my dummy round I use to set up my dies. I'll do a new one for each differnt bullet I load.
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