Minimum length for .223 Rem

[Onlyme]

I have been reloading for pistol for years, but have just started to load for rifle. I have some .223 Rem to work on. I found a maximum length of 1.760 listed in my manual, but no minimum. I tried searching on THR, but did not find what I wanted. I have a case that is 1.743 for instance- is that too short? Thanks for your input.

 

[Atavar]

Try the saami drawing for dimensions. It shows 1.76” -.020 so you are good down to 1.74”.

 

[Hugger-4641]

Trim length is the minimum recommended case length, which is 1.750.
However, .007 short is not gonna be a big deal unless you have a lot of it that size or you are pushing the limits on max powder charge. Firing a lot of short cases could leave more carbon build up in your chamber, but just a few isn't gonna hurt. If you have plenty of brass, I'd put it asside, but If I didn't have an abundance of brass and needed to use it, I would go ahead and load it. Bottleneck brass will grow in length with each firing, so one or two loadings and that brass will be back to 1.750 or more.

 

[Walkalong]

Trim length is the minimum recommended case length, which is 1.750.

That's what I do.

 

[Docendo Discimus]

I have been reloading for pistol for years, but have just started to load for rifle. I have some .223 Rem to work on. I found a maximum length of 1.760 listed in my manual, but no minimum. I tried searching on THR, but did not find what I wanted. I have a case that is 1.743 for instance- is that too short? Thanks for your input.

Is that before or after sizing?

 

[Skeptic13]

SAAMI spec for case length is 1.740 - 1.760. I usually do not load anything that is shorter than 1.745. Why? Because I have so much .223 brass I can afford to throw some in the recycle.

 

[Walkalong]

Always check case lengths after sizing.

 

[JCSC]

I know this is bad to say, but 5.56 only grts trimmed. If it’s short, I load and move on. My guns have never cared.

With that said, if I was shooting groups out of my 1/7 gun, I would not use them. Depends on the purpose.

 

[Onlyme]

The 1.743 is after full length sizing, depriming, and tumbling.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The 1.743 is after full length sizing, depriming, and tumbling.

Your cases are within SAAMI specs so I wouldn't worry. One thing, if you are crimping and doing it in one step while seating the bullet you will want all.the brass to be close to the same length so as not to run into problems.

 

[Atavar]

Trim length is the minimum recommended case length, which is 1.750.
However, .007 short is not gonna be a big deal unless you have a lot of it that size or you are pushing the limits on max powder charge. Firing a lot of short cases could leave more carbon build up in your chamber, but just a few isn't gonna hurt. If you have plenty of brass, I'd put it asside, but If I didn't have an abundance of brass and needed to use it, I would go ahead and load it. Bottleneck brass will grow in length with each firing, so one or two loadings and that brass will be back to 1.750 or more.

No, trim length is halfway between the case minimum length and the case maximum length. It is chosen to give you a length that gives you a little wiggle room on both sides.
For .223 REM the case length is specified as 1.76" +0-.020". This puts the maximum at 1.76" and the minimum at 1.74". The .223 rem headspace’s off the shoulder so a 1.743" case length isn’t going to bother you.
More important would be checking the headspace dimension which is the distance from the bolt face to where the case shoulder measures .330". SAAMI lists that dimension as 1.4636" to 1.4736". It is always interesting to check that measurement on a fire formed case.

 

[Hugger-4641]

No, trim length is halfway between the case minimum length and the case maximum length. It is chosen to give you a length that gives you a little wiggle room on both sides.
For .223 REM the case length is specified as 1.76" +0-.020". This puts the maximum at 1.76" and the minimum at 1.74". The .223 rem headspace’s off the shoulder so a 1.743" case length isn’t going to bother you.
More important would be checking the headspace dimension which is the distance from the bolt face to where the case shoulder measures .330". SAAMI lists that dimension as 1.4636" to 1.4736". It is always interesting to check that measurement on a fire formed case.

You should probably tell Hornady and Hogdon they are wrong then. I said "recommended" min length is the trim length. You are correct that is not Sammi min. Being a little under Trim or under Sammi min is not gonna hurt, but not a good practice to go under Sammi min for the reason I mentioned. You are also correct that head space is more important. OP didn't say if he is loading for a bolt gun or an Ar, but I'd be more concerned about this on an Ar.

Hornady 11th manual:

 

[Atavar]

You should probably tell Hornady and Hogdon they are wrong then. I said "recommended" min length is the trim length. You are correct that is not Sammi min. Being a little under Trim or under Sammi min is not gonna hurt, but not a good practice to go under Sammi min for the reason I mentioned. You are also correct that head space is more important. OP didn't say if he is loading for a bolt gun or an Ar, but I'd be more concerned about this on an Ar.

Hornady 11th manual:
View attachment 1157543

That says max length and trim length. It doesn’t say minimum or recommended length. I stand by what I said.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I trim mine to 1.745. It gives the cases time to grow. Before needing another trim.