minimum overall length

[swamphunter]

When loading light for caliber bullets, how important is minimum overall length?  I bought some .312 100gr. Hornady XTP's to try in my Enfield. These bullets are too short to obtain the minimum overall length stated for 100gr. bullets in the Lee reloading manual.  I assume that the bullets used in the manual were pointed.  I also assume that minimum overall length is important due to excess pressure when bullets are seated too deeply.  With a light, short bullet and a moderate load (it is barely over the stated starting load) I would think that the bullet could be seated to the canellure without excess pressure.  Does anyone have a pet load for these bullets in the .303?  Any information appreciated.
Thanks again,
Swamp

[silver surfer]

SwampHunter I have never tried bullets that light so I cant be of much help on the load data, but a good rule of thumb is to seat the bullet as long out of the cartdge as you can.  Then chamber it (lightly) until it touches the lands of the rifling.  Measure the OAL and then seat it a little deeper with your press, and repeat the process (sometimes over and over again ) until the bullet no longer touches the rifling.  Using a Kinetic bullet puller bring the bullet out until it touched the rifling again, measure that distance, and seat the bullet down 1 tenth at a time until it no longer touches and that should put you in the ball park.  This is explained in better detail in the Lee Manual and I would always go with published standards. PS. Take a Sharpy marker and paint the projectile with it every time you do this, it will save alot of time and confusion wondering if you are seeing the same indentions over and over.

  As for loads all I load anymore are 180grn'ers they wouldn't be of much help in this application.  Good Luck and be careful.
 

[swamphunter]

Thanks for the advice.  Unfortunately, these bullets are so short that even when barely seated they are below the min. oal.  Hopefully someone has shot these and can give some advice.
Thanks again,
Swamp

[trotterlg]

I would seat them one cal into the case and shoot them.  I think the only thing you will have problems with is them feeding.  If they are that short they sure will not take up too much case volume, so that will not be a problem.  Larry

[swamphunter]

That sounds like good advice. 
Thanks Larry.
Swamp

[Larry Gibson]

Swamp

Minimum seating depth is 1/2 caliber.  I've not used that bullet in a .303 but I have used the 100 gr Remington 32-20 .311 bullet.  I used the Speer #10 manual loads for the 100 gr plinker.  The max load of 20 gr 4759 pushed the Remington bullet 2058 out of the 29" barreled Ross Mk 10.  The starting load of 40 gr 3031 pushed that 100 gr bullet at 2785 fps and was devestating on jack rabbits.  I have a box of the .312 100 gr XTPs but have not got around to trying them yet.  I probably will use the same loads and just see how they do.

Larry Gibson