OAL Question

[Coltdriver]

Is there a minimum overall length for a .223 round??

I am asking because there seems to be a bit of variation between a standard .223 and a round loaded with a 40 grain v max bullet for example.

I am wondering about putting a 35 grain flat base v max bullet in a .223 case.

The overall length is about 2.050 inches with the 35 grainer.

That is fully two tenths less than the 40 grain v max (2.215). The regular OAL can go up to 2.260 inches.

 

[P95Carry]

Two or three things come to mind here ... first and in some ways least important, is whether a round will fit a mag! Forget that tho for now.

The main criterion is or should be .. according to bullet profile ... whether it has enough ''jump'' but not too much or little ....... maybe 20 ''thou'' is good for gen purpose.

Minimum length will therefore be mostly influenced by the latter consideration. Other sub-aspects which relate to OAL are sorta indirect ... viz - the seating depth needed on a particular size/weight bullet. For instance .... a 45 grn may have to be only a small ways into neck ... to achieve an adequate and safe OAL. OTOH ... a 'hefty' 69 grn will need seating deeper to again control OAL .... indirectly from this are considerations re powder charge .... case volume ... etc. ... etc ...

I doubt there is a quoted minimum .... not that I remember. Others may well have better info than I.

 

[Black Snowman]

I don't know the answer but good load data should tell you what OAL they used in testing which should be a good starting point.

 

[Kamicosmos]

There isn't a minimum because the different bullet weights themselves are different lengths. compare a 69 grain to a 40 grain, and you'll see a visible difference in length. So, if you set your dies for an OAL of x.xxx with the 69 bullet, and then seat a 40 grainer, the OAL is going to be off. Some cartridges this is really noticeable, like 158 vs 125 .357 Mag loads. I am considering buying a second seat die so I don't have to readjust the die when I switch bullet types.

This may or may not have answered your question though. How about this: Each bullet weight has a maximum seating depth resulting in different min and max OAL.


Hmmm...I seem to have confused myself now.