for mag fed rounds you need to set your OAL to your shortest front 2 back mag and allow maybe .010 wiggle room.
not sure I follow what the "drop test" is ?
Sorry Powder Finger, the "drop test" i would drop them in the barrel and see if it will drop in with no help from myself as it falls into the barrel. I beleave i got it with as much crimp as i can give it(taper) im not trying to give it much.My dummy rounds cycles fine by hand when i pull the bolt back, im just not sure if it will be wise to try my loads with a 2.230 C.O.A.L my hornady manual calls for a COAL 2.250. thanks for your reply andim still stuck in limbo with this one
You shouldn't have a problem with your COAL at 2.230. I have reloaded close to 2000 rounds since i started this post. (I now use the 550 with dillon dies, AA2230 powder, Winchester primers, and Horndady 55gr FMJ's) In the beginning I had been reloading mine to 2.250 and they shot great. I now prefer loading mine to 2.240. You'll get good results with both though. Will your shell chamber fine if it's empty? Your crimping problem could be a sizing problem. Is it a full length sizing die or a neck sizing die? You could have bulged cases. I've seen a few other forums where they were having close to the same problem.