Stevens .223, Sierra 55g and Hornady OAL gauge question?

[Red_Dog_Leader]

Finally have all the tools and supplies to load for the Stevens .223 model 200 bolt action received for Xmas.
This will be my 1st attempt at loading the .223.

So today I picked up the Hornady OAL gauge and shell, read the instructions and proceeded to measure.
Using Sierra 55g spitzer blitz 1345's. Sierra says load to 2.250 C.O.A.L.
I'm getting 2.368 and the Sierra max length says 2.260... The brass rod is .089 below the case mouth. The bullet is barely into the case mouth.
Maybe I just can't reach the rifling (and still be safe?) with these 55 grain bullets.
I even tried a Remington 55g bulk bullet and it was (too me) way long looking also.

Now I know 2.260 is a Sammi spec, but this seems a wee bit too long for my inexperienced comfort.
I guess I could try and load a few and see how it goes, what do ya think?
Or, play it safe and go by the book?

Thanks, Tom

 

[Red_Dog_Leader]

Ok, I missed the part about subtracting .020 to .040...

Still -.04 = 2.33.
This looks alittle better. Now I have to get the comparator setup..

Thanks, T

PS: I used the comparator bushing which lets the .224 bullet pass thru with no slop. However doing so after zeroing out comparator on caliper the face of the bushing contacts the shell mouth...so I go with the bushing that lets the bullet pass up to the ogive?

 

[rcmodel]

Or, you could just forget about it and seat to 2.260".

I can assure you commercial Match & Varmint ammo is not seated to the lands on any rifle, and some of it shoots way better then most of us can.

rc

 

[JimKirk]

I'd give you a tool that you can use... a candle. Smut the bullet seated at the SAMMI length. Chamber it and see if the smut is wiped off or the rifling shows on the bullet. If not take your bullet puller and pull the bullet out some and re-smut the bullet. You will find the length at which your bullet touches the rifling or the round is too long for the magazine. Then you make the choice whether to shoot single shot or load from the magazine.

Jimmy K

 

[Red_Dog_Leader]

Or, you could just forget about it and seat to 2.260".

I can assure you commercial Match & Varmint ammo is not seated to the lands on any rifle, and some of it shoots way better then most of us can.

rc

Yeah, at this point I think I'll just go by Sierra's loads, work up a few different charges and take it from there.

Thanks rc..

I'd give you a tool that you can use... a candle. Smut the bullet seated at the SAMMI length. Chamber it and see if the smut is wiped off or the rifling shows on the bullet. If not take your bullet puller and pull the bullet out some and re-smut the bullet. You will find the length at which your bullet touches the rifling or the round is too long for the magazine. Then you make the choice whether to shoot single shot or load from the magazine.

Jimmy K

Read about this too, thanks