Case length question

[Greg Meyer]

First off, I would like to say hello. Found this web site a few weeks ago after I bought my first Sako. Found a nice L579 forester in .243 (around 1963 manufacture date). Seems like a nice hunting rifle, haven't taken it to the range yet. Been working on some loads to try. My question is - I realize the maximum length is listed as 2.045 and the new lapua brass i got is 2.035. When I checked the max for the chamber with a sinclair chamber length guage, it show 2.082. Is this unusual, a difference of .037.

My other rifles don't have that large of a gap. With them I kinda ignore the listed max lengths and just make sure they are trimmed a minimum of .010 less that the max for that rifle.
Would there be any issue letting the case get longer and closer to the 2.082 for this rifle, any advantage in doing that, or should I just keep them all trimmed at the 2.045.
Thank you.

 

[cmjr]

You will never see a chamber anywhere near saami spec as to neck length. Most of mine vary from 25 to 35 thou longer. As a rule I trim my brass to the max listed length but let me qualify that statement. I measure the actual length of my necks and have been reloading for over 30yrs. I very seldom trim my brass more than once, there just is no need. That extra 30thou or so is there to make sure you don't create a pressure situation. If a smith chambered a rifle to saami max, factor in the sloppy tolerance of some brass manufacturer? No good and the lawyers would be working overtime. Can you do what you suggested? Sure, just make sure those cases never leave your possession, no guarantee what someone else might try to put them in.

 

[Greg Meyer]

cmjr,
Thanks for the information, nice to know the longer chamber is not an issue. Will follow your lead and just keep the cases consistant at the max listed, 2.045. Will then have plenty of room for safety.