Case length?

[JeffsSig]

Ok let me ask a silly question on Case length.

Lets use the .223 for example.

case length should be around 1.760

What happens if I use some brass that's 1.770 or 1.780 ?

[Dolomite_supafly]

Bad things can happen if the case necks are too long. The reason is the throat won't allow the case neck to release the bullet. This spikes the pressures to unsafe levels even with modest loads. The case neck should never be long enough to get into the throat.

I have measured a few 223 chambers and most have some leeway but must were under 1.770.

Actually 223 should be 1.750, not 1.760. 1.760 is the MAX length. I normally trim to 1.745 and get a lot more loads between trimmings. The cases headspace off the shoulder so having a shorter than spec neck won't hurt as long as the bullet is being held firmly.

I never crimp and never have a problem. I use a Lee neck sizing die with the mandrel filed down to .219 rather than the factory size of .221.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Yeh, I learned the hard way to keep them less than 1.750. Live and learn.