9mm 124g Campro OAL?

[4n2t0]

Have you measured the COL on your existing factory rounds?

A friend of mine did and came up with this:

AE 1.151 to 1.154
S&B 1.157
PMC 1.148 to 1.151
IMI 1.162 to 1.164
GECO 1.157

That's a good place to start as a baseline assuming they fire flawlessly in your gun

No, unless you're loading the exact same projectile that's in the factory round this information is completely useless (and possibly dangerous).

Thankfully there's a sticky that covers this topic: https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1671884-How-to-determine-a-pistols-max-OAL

 

[Armored Metal]

CamPro 124gr @ 1.11" = 4.1gr Titegroup and you will be fine.

Do yourself a favour and buy a chronograph. It will be the best $300 you will spend.

In my future plans.

 

[4n2t0]

Is there a noticable difference in pressure at max load?

Not many people (if any) are going to be able to measure pressure differences between OAL's. See the sticky link I posted above and load to the OAL your barrel(s) give you. As long as you use published data loading to the measurement(s) your barrel(s) give you won't have any negative effects.

 

[Armored Metal]

No, unless you're loading the exact same projectile that's in the factory round this information is completely useless.

Thankfully there's a sticky that covers this topic: https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1671884-How-to-determine-a-pistols-max-OAL

Thanks. Gonna look it up.

 

[VanMan]

Is there a noticable difference in pressure at max load?

I did some testing a while back when I was working up my 147gr load. As you reduce case volume (which is more critical than COL), you will get an increase in pressure and FPS.

 

[4n2t0]

As you reduce case volume (which is more critical than COL), you will get an increase in pressure and FPS.

Of course there is but as long as published data is used there's nothing to worry about. Pressure figures can only be measured using one of the popular methods (CCM, PM, SG etc.).

 

[Paul_T]

As you reduce case volume (which is more critical than COL), you will get an increase in pressure and FPS.

Using the same powder and load - by reducing OAL you 'are' reducing case volume...... so I''m not sure what you are getting at regarding 'more critical'.

 

[VanMan]

Of course there is but as long as published data is used there's nothing to worry about. Pressure figures can only be measured using one of the popular methods (CCM, PM, SG etc.).

Definitely. The challenge is you may not find your exact bullet listed in the reloading manual or data sheet. If you try to load round nosed bullet at the same COL as you would a flat-nosed or hollow-point bullet, your case volume could be dramatically reduced, leading to over-pressure.

For example, Campro has a recommended COL of 1.090 for their 9mm 147gr bullets that have a truncated point (.630 long). If someone tried to load a Berries 147gr round nose (.668 long) to that same 1.090 COL, they have shortened their case volume by .038 which may cause over-pressure.

Campro 124gr HP, Campro 147gr RNFP, Berry's 147gr RN

 

[Paul_T]

The challenge is you may not find your exact bullet listed in the reloading manual or data sheet. If you try to load round nosed bullet at the same COL as you would a flat-nosed or hollow-point bullet, your case volume could be dramatically reduced, leading to over-pressure.

I see what you are saying - thank you.

 

[unstableryan]

I've found those at 1.109-1.115 work perfectly in my shadow. Nothing to worry about. Just works.

 

[4n2t0]

Definitely. The challenge is you may not find your exact bullet listed in the reloading manual or data sheet. If you try to load round nosed bullet at the same COL as you would a flat-nosed or hollow-point bullet, your case volume could be dramatically reduced, leading to over-pressure.

For example, Campro has a recommended COL of 1.090 for their 9mm 147gr bullets that have a truncated point (.630 long). If someone tried to load a Berries 147gr round nose (.668 long) to that same 1.090 COL, they have shortened their case volume by .038 which may cause over-pressure.

We are definitely in agreement for the most part but I think you misunderstand my OAL philosophy. I don't care what bullet anyone loads. If you use published data and load to the OAL your barrel gives you it won't matter. e.g. I currently load a CamPro 147gr with 3.6gr of Titegroup at 1.09. Why 3.6gr of Titegroup? It made PF in my favourite pistol, a Ruger SR9/9E. Prior to reacquiring a Shadow I was loading that exact same load to 1.135 (or longer) because all my other pistols (including my SR9/9E) would accept a longer OAL. I didn't worry about the shortened OAL with the Shadow because I was using published data. In regards to dangerous over-pressure because of a short OAL (or case volume) it's mainly a myth/non-concern. Here's a read that you might find interesting: http://dailycaller.com/2013/03/05/battered-bullets-does-bullet-setback-matter/

 

[Armored Metal]

Not many people (if any) are going to be able to measure pressure differences between OAL's. See the sticky link I posted above and load to the OAL your barrel(s) give you. As long as you use published data loading to the measurement(s) your barrel(s) give you won't have any negative effects.

I just read the link you suggested and I look forward to giving it a shot. Great info. Thank you.

 

[OkayShooter]

I loaded my cam pros 124 HP at 1.090, and functioned fine in a 1911, alfa, GP K100, Glock 34

And I ran 4.0 W231.

 

[Ganderite]

I'm also loading 124 grain CamPros for a CZ 75 SP-01 Shadow, and 1.160" functions fine. (I also measured the OAL of some factory 9mm that i knew would run through, and it was around the same length)

OAL is important in two dimesions. First, if it is too long, it will bind in the magazine.

The second tends to be far more important, and measure factory ammo tells you nothing. OAL determines when the bullet ogive contacts the rifling or chamber throat. The chamber dimensions vary from pistol to pistol. CZ and Norinco (of my collection) have the shortest throats, so I load ammo to fit them. It obviously fits all the other pistols, too.

The curvature of the bullet varies from make and model of bullet, so you have to do a plunk test. Take the barrel out of the gun and drop in a loaded round. It should plunk right in, with the case mouth engaging the chamber. If the bullet engages the rifling or throat it will thunk, not plunk.

Each time you buy a new shape bullet, seat a bullet long and do a plunk test, seating deeper and deeper to find out the max length of that bullet you pistol will take. Make a note of that length, and always load a bit shorter.

The OAL used by other shooters and the book does not mean much with respect YOUR pistol.

 

[pilgrim]

1.130 for Shadow SP-01, STI Trojan and various Glocks.....

 

[LUTNIT]

Is there a noticable difference in pressure at max load?

I don't load anywhere near max. My pistol shooting is for IPSC and IDPA so I load for a 130ish power factor (weight in grains x velocity in fps / 1000), make sure it's accurate enough for my purposes, and then test it for reliability with at least a few hundred rounds. Minimum power factor for my division is 125 so I aim for around 130-133.
After I found out 1.160" was too long I switched to 1.100", worked my load up from the start load with a chrony and went with the one that gave the desired velocity. It was not noticeably more or less accurate so I stuck with that.

 

[Armored Metal]

A lot of great advice here. Thanks guys!

 

[silverfoxdj]

1.130 for Shadow SP-01, STI Trojan and various Glocks.....

I prefer that having all three..

 

[Dazbog]

Thanks for this awesome info. After measureing my shadow I could take a 1.12 OAL and plunk and spin but my PPX needs to be 1.08 OAL. I’m not really reloading for the PPX but I don’t want keep separate boxes of ammo.

Campro 147g if your wondering.

Thanks again.

 

[sevoman]

1.135" LOA with Campro 124RN works well in both my shadow 2 and STI Spartan 1911