SmallCaliberCentral

I can't find any info on max case oal. Only found total cartridge oal and trim to length 1.84. What have you all found to be max before you trim?

I'm using new Rem brass that I've loaded once. Running between 1.848 and 1.854

Thanks

I run up to 0.010" long...and trim after that.

BUT, I know exactly, how much free space I have in the bore.

You don't want to find out the hard way...chamber pressure gets in the super ugly range...but quick!

The Hornady manual says the max case length is 1.85", that is for a SAAMI spec. chamber.

To find your true max case length you will need to measure your chamber with a chamber length gauge.

WW

Here is a picture of a chamber length gauge:

Make sure your cases don't exceed that length and you are good to go. That being said, when you first fire virgin brass some cases will become longer and some will actually get shorter so you wouldn't want to shoot virgin brass at the maximum safe length. That probably won't be the case since most brass is way short of what you will measure. You do want to have your brass fill your chamber so the bullet is supported as it enters the rifling. You don't want it long enough to get pushed into the free bore section, which is a smaller diameter, and clamp down on the bullet. That would cause a dangerous increase in chamber pressure.

Without the gauge, hold them between 1.840 and 1.850 if you can find brass that long.