OAL Question

[mountainview]

I am in the process of reading through various books before I actually reload my first cartridge and while I understand the basic steps, there still seems to be some contradictions I observe in manufacturer's data which leave me scratching my head. For example:

I am looking at reloading a .223 55 grain FMJ. In the Winchester load data, the recipe states a maximum OAL of 2.260" for the load I plan to start with, though no minus tolerance is given. I interpret this to mean that the OAL of a reload should not be longer than 2.260 irrespective of the rifle it is to be used in. Other reloaders I've talked with said that it would be better to use a dummy round with a partially seated bullet (then seated using the bolt as a bolt action gun is being used) to determine the length to the lands and then subtract off 0.010 to 0.020" for the desired OAL to use. I would prefer to go this route for accuracy but want to check on whether this could lead to pressure problems if my OAL turns out to be greater than 2.260.
Question - Is this 2.260" length published to enable the load to work in any rifle chambered for the cartridge or is there a pressure issue that is created by going longer? (I am assuming here that in none of the cases the bullet actually touches the lands when chambered)

Thanks.

[PA-Joe]

See if you can, get a stoney point AOL tool. I have found that most of my chambers are longer than the 2.26. However, if I go 0.001 off the lands the bullets will not fit or feed correctly from the rifle magazine. My magazines limit AOL to 2.30.  If you are able to load to 0.001 then you will have to use less powder since there is an increase in pressure.

If you are reloading 50 grain or less they will have an AOL of less than 2.26. I just reloaded some 46 grainers and the msot I could get was 2.18.

[ricciardelli]

The OAL of any cartridge totally depends on your firearm.