length of over all finished bullet - The Firearms Forum

billr · 04-09-2005, 08:04 PM

I have 500 rounds 10 -1000 over recomended overall length, is this a major problem cases are within proper length, bolt action
Thanks Bill

stash247 · 04-10-2005, 02:25 AM

Depends on the particulars. If the load was a maximum load, .010" shorter, and is now as you say it is, the bullet may be in the rifling,when the bolt is closed;this can increase pressures to a catastrophic level.
If the chamber is long throated, it may actually improve accuracy, with no other difficulties.
You could simply run the loaded rounds back thru the seater die, now properly adjusted for length, and push the bullet back to a correct OAL.
Hope this helps...

armedandsafe · 04-10-2005, 01:58 PM

If the rounds feed properly from the magazine and do not engage the rifling at loading, they should be just fine. OAL of the cartridge is not that critical, so long as you are not compressing the powder unduly, and the feed mechanism works properly.

That said, it is critical that OAL be held to a consistent value. You can load to varying lengths and find which length is liked best by YOUR rifle. Then load all your rounds of that formula to that length. Remember, accuracy is repeatability.

Just as a note, the Speer #13 manual doesn't even list maximum OAL for cartridges, just cases.

Pops

04-10-2005, 02:25 AM	#2
stash247 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,815	Re: length of over all finished bullet Depends on the particulars. If the load was a maximum load, .010" shorter, and is now as you say it is, the bullet may be in the rifling,when the bolt is closed;this can increase pressures to a catastrophic level. If the chamber is long throated, it may actually improve accuracy, with no other difficulties. You could simply run the loaded rounds back thru the seater die, now properly adjusted for length, and push the bullet back to a correct OAL. Hope this helps... __________________ Don't start no s**t and there won't be none, Terry

04-10-2005, 01:58 PM	#3
armedandsafe Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 10,344	Re: length of over all finished bullet If the rounds feed properly from the magazine and do not engage the rifling at loading, they should be just fine. OAL of the cartridge is not that critical, so long as you are not compressing the powder unduly, and the feed mechanism works properly. That said, it is critical that OAL be held to a consistent value. You can load to varying lengths and find which length is liked best by YOUR rifle. Then load all your rounds of that formula to that length. Remember, accuracy is repeatability. Just as a note, the Speer #13 manual doesn't even list maximum OAL for cartridges, just cases. Pops

04-09-2005, 08:04 PM	#1
billr Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: oregon Posts: 44	length of over all finished bullet I have 500 rounds 10 -1000 over recomended overall length, is this a major problem cases are within proper length, bolt action Thanks Bill --> Last edited by billr; 04-10-2005 at 12:20 AM.. Reason: correct