01-31-2018, 04:16 AM
I measured my 20” with he Hornady gauge I had and got a measurement of 2.340 to the lands. I came up with the earlier measurement of 2.223 by coloring a bullet with a sharpie and clambering it and looking for marks. I was making loads of varying lengths to test and decided to seat one at 2.245 since that is the max norm for 123 SST. I chambered it and had no marks and it measured the same afterwards. I’m kinda stumped. I’m thinking when I chambered the first colored rounds that the bullet may have moved forward a smidge from the bolt slamming closed and caused the marks and extra length. I originally thought I was into the lands and the extra length was from the bullet being pulled when I ejected them. This is confusing the hell out of me. The best groups I got were with 28.5 and 29 grains of CFE at COL 2.223. I loaded some at 2.245, 2.230, 2.225, 2.218, and 2.210. Before I blow myself up or ruin my barrel is ther a minimum recommended COL? I’ve been reloading for bolt guns forever but semi autos is new to me.