Originally Posted by
Paulinski
Hello
I'm looking for find out what OAL to load my .223 loads to. Lyman 48th edition states 2.260 with 69 gr SMK bullets.
What do you load yours to. Also how do you determined what OAL so go with, one it has to fit in the magazine any other factors?
Thanks
Paul
I only handload match bullets, 77gr Nosler with 24gr Reloder 15 and 75gr Hornady AMAX with 25gr Reloder 15. I can't remember the OAL I use for AMAXes but it's definitely beyond mag length. Overlength match bullets like these are single-loaded and strictly for the 600 yard line at highpower matches.
As for 77gr Nosler or Sierra, beats me what the OAL is--I just put a Black Hills factory 77gr cartridge in the press and gently screw down the adjustment on the seater die until it touches, fine-tune the seating depth until the reloads are the same OAL as the factory rounds, and then check every reload in an actual magazine to see that it just does fit. These loads are accurate enough for match work, they feed reliably, and they're a little warm but they exhibit no signs of serious overpressure. These are the only factors I think are important.
I have two seater dies, one Lee and the other RCBS, and it happens that the Lee die seats the long AMAXes well but unless very carefully adjusted will mash the case when seating 77s. The RCBS works fine with 77s, so I leave the Lee die adjusted for AMAX and I wrote "77" with a Sharpie all over the RCBS die.
When life gives you lemons, insert copper and zinc wires in them and repeatedly shock your tongue.
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