Loaded rounds over .100” longer than OAL guage is showing and they’re still chambering? I’m confused?

[Bmil94]

Reloading for a new .223 and getting 2.880” CBTO on the bullets I plan to use with the Hornady OAL guage. I’m doing a ladder test for seating depth and I’m out to 2.960” and the rounds are still chambering. I used the OAL guage again and double checked and sure enough got 2.880” again. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[spife7980]

I’m having a hell of a time processing what you wrote. Your 223 case base to ogive is measuring 2.8”+?! That’s like 308 overall length long.

List the specific components.


But yes, sometimes touch is a long ways from hard jam depending on the relation ship between your throats diameter/leade angle and your bullets ogive.


Edit: I bet you are on dial calipers or not zeroing your digitals is why.

 

[morning would]

In my absolute longest throated 223 I can seat 88ELD’s to 1.985 BTO. Something’s fucky With your measurements OP

 

[Landon4]

Like was mentioned about above you must not be zeroing out the calipers with the tool mounted, I want to say mine measures around .900 which would give you around the 1.980 range like what was also mentioned.

 

[Rio Precision Gunworks]

Assuming measurements are correct, ammo won't stop chambering once you load past the touch point of the lands. You'll just be in the lands. Eventually you will get to a long enough point the bullets will stick and pull out of the case when you try to extract a live round. But will pretty much never come to a hard stop where it won't chamber.

Now, if you're talking about a stripped bolt and the bolt is still falling free with gravity, then either your measurements are wrong or you have an extremely long freebore.