dumb question on .223 case length and chamber

[CJK8]

Can I find out the max length my brass can be in my specific chamber by starting with brass at 1.760" (assuming the chamber meets SAAMI specs), seeing if it will chamber and keep trying brass that is .001" longer until it will not chamber? Is it that easy? And then I'll know what I don't want my fired brass to exceed? Thanks.

 

[Hondo 60]

Hmmm I've never looked at that way.

First of all I take it you're talking about .223 remington.

The book say max is 1.760 & "Trim to" Length is 1.750.
So I trim to 1.750 & retrim above 1.755

I would think the only way that your idea would matter is if it's in a match grade ultra high precision rifle.

 

[Historian]

All trimming will do is shorten the neck of your brass. To determine if it will chamber, you need to look at the location of the shoulder as well as neck length.

Historian

 

[243winxb]

FL size 2 brass. Cut the neck off of 1. Place the smooth end of the cut neck piece againts the uncut brass case mouth. Now seat a flat base bullet nose first into both necks. Trim off a little at a time till round chambers. You will then know your throat/leade length. SAAMI chamber drawing here> http://www.saami.org/specifications_and_information/index.cfm?page=CC

 

[rcmodel]

Is it that easy? And then I'll know what I don't want my fired brass to exceed?

No, it isn't that easy.

You don't want your .223 brass to exceed 1.760", period.

Longer then that might start to enter the tapered rifling leade and go in O.K..

But not have room enough to expand to release the bullet when it is fired.

rc

 

[243winxb]

RCmodel is correct. When brass is longer than the 1.760" maximun, you enter what i call the "safety zone". Trim your brass when it exceeds 1.760"

 

[Walkalong]

As posted, it is not a good way to find out. If you really want to know, get some cerrosafe and make a chamber cast.

It is no big deal though. Do not let your brass go over 1.760, and quit worrying yourself about it.

 

[Ol` Joe]

http://www.sinclairintl.com/.aspx/pid=32925/Product/Sinclair_Chamber_Length_Gage

 

[243winxb]

determine the true length of a rifle's chamber

Ol' Joe, good link. thank you.

The Sinclair Chamber Length Gauges are designed so the handloader can determine the true length of his rifle's chamber when measuring from the bolt face to the end of the chamber's neck. This measurement will tell you how much excess case length your chamber may have over published trim lengths in reloading handbooks.

The Sinclair Gauges are inserted into a fired, unprimed shortened case and then chambered into your rifle. The insert pushes back into the case when it contacts the end of your chamber. You then extract the case and measure the overall length. The gauge is made of 12L14 soft steel so it will not damage your chamber. Step-by-step instructions accompany each gauge. The gauges can be used over and over again.

The differences between published trim lengths and the actual length of your chamber can be quite significant. You could be over trimming your cases by .030 inch or more.

Listening for the KABOOMS

 

[CJK8]

Trim your brass when it exceeds 1.760"

In another thread, my unsterdanding was to trim brass before it gets to 1.760" because 1.760" is the max it should ever be after it stretches when fired. Do I have that right? Thanks.

 

[243winxb]

Maximum is 1.760"