.223 seating depth, trim length and crimping with cannelure

[MustangGreg66]

I've also been thinking about seating depth, trim length and crimping with cannelured bullets. I figured this would go better in a separate topic so we can not wander too far here. Like I said in a previous post, I'm thinking of getting some 55gr FMJ's to load up for my AR, either Hornady or MG bullets. I've heard the MG has the cannelure further back or forward on the bullet, I forget which. So I was thinking, if I want a max OAL for accuracy, ojive closest to the lands as possible while remaining magazine length for the AR, what would I have to trim my brass to in order to get that seating depth and still crimp on the cannelure? If it varys by bullet then when I trim, I'd have to dedicate that brass to reloading that bullet? Do people think about this stuff or is 1.750" the standard case length and then just pluck the pullet down to the cannelure and go?

[D.Hayden]

I trim to 1.750.. I load to 2.230.. I don't care where the cannulere ends up...

[kaiserb]

I trim to 1.755 and seat the bullet around 2.20. As for dedicated case length, you will find when you start measuring case length a variance from 1.740-1.760+. Thus crimping consistently into a canalure is not feasible.

[JMcDonough]

I get 55 gr fmj's from berrys mfg they work great. I trim to 1.750 and my oal is 2.220 that puts the crimp right in the middle of the cannulere.

[Mike Morcillo]

I shoot Hornady 55gr FMJBT w/c in mixed brass. I trim the cases to 1.750, load to OAL 2.250, crimp necks with Lee factory crimp die. With AA2230 powder and CCI primers this load shoot 1/2 groups in my M-4. Works for me.

Edited August 4, 2009 by Mike Morcillo

[uscbigdawg]

I seat to the ogive and not worry about jump. The minimum amount of bearing surface I need to hold and release the bullet.

Rich