M&P OAL for 9mm

[FLJay]

The title says it all. I did a search but did not find anything difinitive. I'm looking to load as long as possible for a good fit in the magazines and have the bullet as close to or touching the barrel rifling.

Thanks in advance

Jay

[FishingPilot]

View the SAAMI spec: http://www.saami.org/

[novalty]

Only definitive answer is to perform the "plunk test" on your specific firearm to make sure it will feed the style bullet you are reloading.

[shield]

For 9mm plated & FMJ RN I use 1.14 for my M&P's, but may not be the longest possible. I agree, you should perform the plunk test to get the result you want. As indicated, it also depends on the bullet style.

[Twoboxer]

In my S&W M&P9FS, 115gr P/FMJ RN at 1.100" and 115gr XTP at 1.075" feed fine. IIRC, these came directly out of the load manual.

Never worried about nearing the lands; not sure how doable that is to still have a round that will feed and have adequate shank seating. Personally don't have any reason to try.

[novalty]

With 9mm the case size is the major concern for finding the longest OAL that will function in your firearm, as the further you seat the bullet the higher a pressure you are going to generate. Yes, it might be fine when you are starting out with minimum load, but if you get pushing towards max load you run the risk of excessive pressures with too short a length.

I am seating to 1.095" for my wife's M&P FS, seating 130gr. cast RNFP bullets. I am sure with 115gr. RN the length could be longer as that style bullet typically has a sharper taper.

[SMSgt]

1.100 COL works fine in my 6906 with MO's 124 LRNs. That same round will engage the rifling in my P226. 1.095 COL fits both.

There's nothing wrong with long COLs as long as it fits the mag, feeds, and chambers without engaging the rifling. Just be aware it may not be the same for different guns.

[RussellD]

As others have stated every gun is unique. Factory loads, and reloading manuals are reference points to all every bullet to function in the greatest number of firearms possible.

Learning to measure your loaded rounds OAL length, perform the plunk test and understanding the cause and effect of increasing and decreasing your OAL for each specific gun goes a long way towards safety and accuracy.

I have read countless post where someone was certain that brand x bullet was inaccurate and would not shoot in their gun. After some basic load development and adjustments to the oal the bullet in question was able provide fine accuracy.

[FLJay]

Sorry, I should have given more info.

I'm a very long time reloader, mostly .40 and .45's, I'm a newbie at 9mm.

I'll be using MG 124's JHP. It will be a low pressure load for Steel Challenge shooting and USPSA minor.

Anyone have info on this?

Thanks again

[Bkreutz]

I shoot Steel Challenge, IDPA, and USPSA. My first question is "Why use hollowpoints for action pistol?" I don't simply because they cost more. I shoot over 50K rounds a year and use 124 RN plated (various manufacturers, whichever will give me the best deal). I load them to 1.150 and have never had a feeding problem. I mostly use a Pro Core 5" (Open) except for IDPA where I use either a 9c(SSP or BUG) or a 4.25"(ESP) depending on which class I feel like shooting that day.

Yesterday:

[FLJay]

Bkreutz

My reasoning is the jackets bullet base, no lead exposed so it's cleaner. I'll go with the less expensive of the JHP or CMJ

Another question for you, what distance do you zero your dot and why?

Jay

[Bkreutz]

Originally Posted by FLJay

Bkreutz

My reasoning is the jackets bullet base, no lead exposed so it's cleaner. I'll go with the less expensive of the JHP or CMJ

Another question for you, what distance do you zero your dot and why?

Jay

Plated RN don't have any exposed lead either, and they're around $12 per thousand cheaper than HP. Saves me about $600 per year (if my math is correct, which I'm not really sure of ) I zero my dot (triangle actually) at 25 yards. Why? probably because that's the back of my home range.

[novalty]

Originally Posted by Bkreutz

I zero my dot (triangle actually) at 25 yards. Why? probably because that's the back of my home range.

Geeze, I don't know if I could trust a guy that would shoot his home range in the back.

[Nevada Ed]

You did not state the weight or style of the bullets that you will be using............

The 90 to 115gr bullets can only go so long on the OAL platform
before they do not have enough support. I try for 33% of the bullet inside the case, if possible.

The 124gr and larger bullets can be set at the maximum 1.169
OAL with enough case support and be adjusted shorter.

A maximum oal for a bullet is said to help in the accuracy department but it also cuts down on the velocity of a powder.

Good loading.

[Bkreutz]

Originally Posted by Nevada Ed

You did not state the weight or style of the bullets that you will be using............

Read post #9

[Nevada Ed]

speed read......missed #9 (sorry)

Some oal on the net are "Ridiculous" !!!!!!!
Hodgdon has a 125gr Sie FMJ at 1.09"

I use a plated RN 124 at 1.14" 115 plated RN at 1.12".

124gr FMJ Ammo from Mexico is at 1.12"......... but it is FMJ with lead exposed on the bottom.

Just depends on the pistol, I guess ?