9mm Bullet lengths

[Nevada Ed]

While logging new data and putting my new supply of bullets away I saw a bullet length that I thought weird.

I got all the bullets out and lined them up and took a picture.
A lead 125 gr coated was the same height as a Plated 135gr bullet.

Just goes to show how a bullets Ogive and makeup can have
an effect on a loads OAL.

Later.

 

[Dandecoteau]

Meh I don't really worry too much about overall length in pistol rounds. I can put holes in paper so it's all good.

 

[forestswin]

Meh I don't really worry too much about overall length in pistol rounds. I can put holes in paper so it's all good.

That sounds a bit haphazard.
Please explain.

 

[reddog81]

I don't worry about OAL in revolvers, but in semi-autos the OAL is critical for feeding, chambering, fitting in the magazines, additionally in 9mm the OAL can have a drastic impact on pressure.

I test any bullet using the plunk test to determine the longest OAL that will work in my 9's.

 

[H Richard]

I get very concerned about OAL, especially in 9mm. Look at the bottom end of the bullet and how much it is compressed into the case, once you get up into the 135 and 147 gr. bullets, you need to be sure you have not seated too deeply as pressures can skyrocket. Some powders are even more sensitive to compression than others. Ask any of the 38 Super reloaders who used to try and make Major with 38 super and some tried with 9mm! Some of them no longer have the guns used, just pieces.

 

[fredj338]

While logging new data and putting my new supply of bullets away I saw a bullet length that I thought weird.

I got all the bullets out and lined them up and took a picture.
A lead 125 gr coated was the same height as a Plated 135gr bullet.

Just goes to show how a bullets Ogive and makeup can have
an effect on a loads OAL.

Later.

Always has but a picture is worth 1000 words.

 

[fredj338]

Meh I don't really worry too much about overall length in pistol rounds. I can put holes in paper so it's all good.

Sure, until the round won't chamber because it is too long?????

 

[Qc Pistolero]

I get very concerned about OAL, especially in 9mm. Look at the bottom end of the bullet and how much it is compressed into the case, once you get up into the 135 and 147 gr. bullets, you need to be sure you have not seated too deeply as pressures can skyrocket. Some powders are even more sensitive to compression than others. Ask any of the 38 Super reloaders who used to try and make Major with 38 super and some tried with 9mm! Some of them no longer have the guns used, just pieces.

How true!I was into IPSC in the 80's and I've seen so many guys swear they could do Major with their 9MM...only to see the smartest ones back away from the project and others starting a collection of gun parts at a pretty fast pace(the power factor then was higher than what it is today,175 if I remember correctly).

 

[Bkreutz]

How true!I was into IPSC in the 80's and I've seen so many guys swear they could do Major with their 9MM...only to see the smartest ones back away from the project and others starting a collection of gun parts at a pretty fast pace(the power factor then was higher than what it is today,175 if I remember correctly).

50% of the Open shooters in the past Nationals shot 9 major. The minimum PF today is 165 but I load mine to 173. Been shooting 9Major for quite a few years and haven't seen any explode yet. I have seen a lot of parts fail, I've also come to the conclusion that any part on my open gun has to be considered a "consumable". My load is 124RN loaded to 1.165"