What case length max for 22 BR?

[PaperSniper999]

Today I took about 50 Lapua cases that were fired in my 6BR rifle. I used a Redding FL die with a .258 then a .249 bushing for my 22 BR rifle. I have used that neck size earlier and it seems to work well.

As I usually do, I ran a few of the just FL sized and stepped down cases through the 22 BR action just as a sanity check. Odd, they were nearly impossible to close the bolt. I had to use a bit of pressure to push the bolt forward, and even more to rotate it closed. I figured I had not adjusted the FL die down enough, so I went as far down as I could, which wasn't a lot. Then I resized the cases again using the same neck bushing. Tried them in the 22 BR rifle again.....these were easier to close the bolt, but it still took more effort that I thought it should.

Just as a test I re-inserted a case into the rifle again....on this second time in the chamber the bolt closed okay. Sorta like my bolt was helping with the resizing process......

I measured the length of the cases I'd resized from Lapua 6 BR and they were almost all about 1.550 to 1.560. However, a couple were 1.563, including one unfired Lapua case I sized and stepped down to 22 caliber as an experiment. The longest cases did not chamber with significantly more difficulty than a case that was the shortest. Interesting..........None of the chambered cases showed any hint of tightness in the chamber. At least nothing obvious.

I am guessing here..........are the cases hard to chamber simply because they have not been chambered,or fired) in this rifle before? I suspect this is true, but I am not experienced enough to know for sure. Also, should I worry about cases that are under say, 1.565? Or should I trim them all back to 1.550 or so? I'd really like to avoid trimming if possible - it's my least favorite reloading chore. :,

 

[NorCalMikie]

The first thing you need to know is the 'actual' length of your chamber. By using a Sinclair Chamber Length Gauge Insert in the caliber you need, you can measure the 'actual' length of the chamber and know how long your cases can be before they need to be trimmed to keep from crimping the bullet at the neck.
I've got 2 different 22 BR barrels and the chamber lengths run at 1.584'. So if you decide to run your case necks a little on the long side,,say 1.560') you've got close to .025' before you have to start thinking about interference at the end of the chamber. It's up to you to decide just what length to run your case necks.

As far as the brass being tight in the chamber,'I full length size' the 6 BR brass in a Redding 22 BR die. Run them through a body die and they're ready to load and shoot. I've heard that by necking down to 22 caliber in a bushing type die you might get a snug fit. That's the reason I use the full length then the body die. They're bushing neck resized after they've been fire formed.

 

[PaperSniper999]

The first thing you need to know is the 'actual' length of your chamber. By using a Sinclair Chamber Length Gauge Insert in the caliber you need, you can measure the 'actual' length of the chamber and know how long your cases can be before they need to be trimmed to keep from crimping the bullet at the neck.
I've got 2 different 22 BR barrels and the chamber lengths run at 1.584'. So if you decide to run your case necks a little on the long side,,say 1.560') you've got close to .025' before you have to start thinking about interference at the end of the chamber. It's up to you to decide just what length to run your case necks.

As far as the brass being tight in the chamber,'I full length size' the 6 BR brass in a Redding 22 BR die. Run them through a body die and they're ready to load and shoot. I've heard that by necking down to 22 caliber in a bushing type die you might get a snug fit. That's the reason I use the full length then the body die. They're bushing neck resized after they've been fire formed.

Thanks Mike. I have a Sinclair Chamber Length Gauge Insert on order. So I don't know the length of my chamber yet, but I have run several of my processed cases through the rifle just before adding primer, powder and the bullet. These cases minus bullet et al chamber without any indication of neck deformity from hitting 'something'.

'...I've heard that by necking down to 22 caliber in a bushing type die you might get a snug fit. That's the reason I use the full length then the body die.....'
I will have to take a look at the 'body die'. I am not sure I understand the difference in it and a FL die. I know the neck die's just size the neck, and in theory a FL die can be turned out enough to just size the neck. But a body die might be what I need.