Distance off the lands

[Quentin]

I have a S/S Ruger .243 M77 Hawkeye. I have taken a Federal Powershock case and cut the neck vertically in four places to the neck. I have placed a Federal softnose bullet into the case and "anointed" it with some graphite. I have then "finger seated" the bullet and then chambered the case. I have then very carefully ejected the round. I have performed this exercise several times with a consistent indication that the ogive of the round is 2mm shy of the lands. Is this possible and if it is, is it normal for a factory loaded round?

Regards

Quentin

 

[Larry Elliott]

Factory ammunition is loaded to fit ANY SAAMI or CIP (European std) chamber, and factory chambers are generally cut fairly generously by BR standards. The throats seem to be longer than needed which keeps pressures down. None of the manufacturers want to be sued because a gun blew up, and if accuracy suffers a little that's okay. Factory accuracy requirements tend to be a little loose too.

It's frequently impossible to get a bullet to the lands in a lot of factory chambers, and if you want the loaded rounds to feed from the rifle's magazine you're likely out of luck.

That all being said a hunting rifle that will shoot 1 1/2 to 2 inch groups at 100 yards, it's easily able to put venison in the freezer.

 

[Quentin]

Thanks Larry, I seem to be able to feed from the mag with the extra length. I don't shoot deer. Mainly fox, wild dogs and camels, none of which I eat although I understand camel is not all bad. I live in Western Australia.