So I have been on here (as a posting member) for a few weeks now. I had come across the page every now and then as part of a web search. And usually found the reading excellent. I never joined as my shooting and hunting had never been "Long Range". My recent acquisition of a 300 Win Mag prompted me to actually join. I have reloaded for 9, 40, 45, 357, 44, 223, 243, 260, 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Creed, 7mm-08. But this is my first belted. I knew they head spaced on the belt, which was new for me. But I found info that concerned me, like REALLY short brass life.
A question I have that has not been answered yet, is why factory ammo has the shoulder in one spot (2.260-2.265) and factory chambers can be as mach as .020" longer to the same datum point on the shoulder (2.280-2.285). No wonder why brass life is so short if you "full length resize to factory" specs.
Armed with my Hornady gauges. My setup revealed factory ammo from head to a .420" diameter on the shoulder of 2.26-2.265", the fired brass that came with the gun, that was fired in that gun, measured with the same gauge was 2.28-2.282", some brass I acquired here from another member also measured as much as 2.285", and they chambered in my rifle no problem. So I purcahsed some Peterson "Long" brass. These brand new brass measured 2.28" and they chambered fine. So I guess the plan is to just shoulder bump fired brass to 2.28 and hope a bulge does not form above the belt, and deal with that when the time comes..
