Loading 223 rounds using a Forster press and RCBS dies.
I am set up to seat the bullet at 2.220.
What Tolerances should I expect?
I usually get +/- .002.
But every now and then one will measure -.008 (2.192)
Should I be worried?
What are the things that could cause this?
It would take a chronograph for you to see any difference in a .008 short OAL. Take a look at some factory loads and see what you get, especially the foreign stuff. A slightly deformed bullet tip or a piece of dirt in the die or the ogive can easily cause it. Unless you are a bench rest shooter, I wouldn’t worry.
Big Eddy
Not big and tall but big and round
It can be hard to judge because not all tips will measure the same. Measuring to the ogive gives a more consistent measurement once you get base to tip close to where you want your OAL. I wouldn’t worry about an oddball bullet. You could make note of which one it is and when you shoot, to see if it throws your group
An armed society is a polite society
If it's plinking or bulk ammo I wouldn't sweat it. If you're trying to make best as possible target ammo say long range or competition than like Holland said, measure to the ogive not base to tip. Base to tip measurement is really only for magazine length clearance, like an AR style rifle. But to answer your question, don't drive yourself crazy just send it and load it again.
Last edited by Thomas Wallace; 02-12-2019 at 01:20 PM.
Not a problem. Measuring off the tip isnt really the best way to measure though. You want to measure off the ogive if you really want to see how consistent they are.
I wouldn’t worry about it. Like the guys said, measuring off the ogive is more accurate. When measuring off the tip, it’s been my experience, the lead tip bullets will have the most variance, hollow points are next, and plastic tipped bullets have the least but will still vary.
JTD
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