Stevens 200 headspace too short?

Stevens 200 in .243 win. Bone stock, haven't done a thing to it other than slap on a scope.

Most of the recources I've found list the .243 COL at or near 2.710, but while working up loads for this rifle I've noticed that the rounds don't feed well unless I bring the COL down around 2.644.

The cartridges will fit into the magazine just fine at the longer lengths and feed into the chamber fine but the bolt is very tight, to the point of having to be forced. At 2.644 the rounds feed well. This has been true with both 85grn Sierras and 75 grn Hornadys.

Gun shoot well and accuracy with these preliminary loads is very good. My only concern is that this will create high preassures when loaded with heavier bullets that seat farther down into the brass.

Any suggestions?

New brass or FL sized brass chamber freely without bullet?

feeding issues are not headspace issues. if the head space is to short, the bolt will not close on a round even if it is dose feed.

over long seated bullets are also not headspace issues. they are bullets jammed into the barrel rifling issues.

Thanks for the replies.

All rounds feed into the chamber fine, but unless the COL is down around 2.644 the bolt doesn't want to close.

I've got 243 and 223. The first thing I noticed when working up load's they have short throat's compared to other rifle's I have had. Also i've tried to get high pressure sign's, so far no luck.

Thanks possum1 that's good to hear. Was surprised to be pushing into the lands so short but glad to hear its not just me.

You lucked out. Short throat is good. It'll only get longer. ;)

I headspaced a .243 Shilen for a buddy, after shooting various loads he told me the throat was short. My reply was don't be concerned to much about it for it will get longer. A little longer barrel life is a good thing, and from what we read your rifle like his shoots good. Just keep loading it will just keep getting better. :)

Yeah the gun shoots well, waiting by the mailbox sor my SSS trigger to get here. Hopefully with that and some bore load development it will shoot even better.