9mm bullet length?

762mm

762mm

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
35   0   0
Location
The Maple Carneyval
I was just comparing some of the different types of ammo I have and have found something that seems a little odd... My factory Winchester ammo is about 2mm longer than the club reloads I have bought. The casing looks the same length, but the bullet in the range reloads seems to be sitting way too low.

I've already shot a box of the range stuff through my Glock 17 and my Vis-35 and didn't have much of an issue with the guns' functionality... except for the sh*tty accuracy. Pics:

9mmrounds.jpg



Left: Winchester ........... Right: Range reloads
9mmrounds2.jpg


Is it even safe to use the reloads? I'm about to get into reloading (soon), but it seems to me like someone screwed up... I just don't want the surprise of a ka-boom in one of my guns, lol!

:confused:
 
I think so, whats the OAL of the reloads, the cases appear to be the same length and for straight walled pistol cases, they headspace off the mouth, so they are both good I should think.

The reloads look like 115 gr's, is that right?
 
Different powder and or different bullet type/weight require different OALs. Have a look at the Hodgeson reloading sight, and you will see OAL varies signifigantly.

The 115 would likely require a differnt OAL than the 124.
 
762mm said:
Reloads: 124g, overall length is 2.7 cm.

--------------------------------

Winchester: 115g, 3 cm overall length.



Thanks for the info! :)
Click to expand...

Are you sure the winchester's aren't the 124 gr bullets??? :confused: Just based on the pictures alone, they seem to be 124's

In any case, you should use a caliper to measure the OAL, the rounds at 3cm come out to 1.18 inches, which exceeds to the max OAL for 9mm luger. It's highly unlikely a factory load would exceed the SAAMI max of 1.169. The 2.7 cm is around 1.06 inches, which is getting pretty short, but not necessarily if its actually the 115 gr bullet.
 
Last edited:
RT said:
Different powder and or different bullet type/weight require different OALs. Have a look at the Hodgeson reloading sight, and you will see OAL varies signifigantly.

The 115 would likely require a differnt OAL than the 124.
Click to expand...

I've never known powder to affect OAL, can you please elaborate?
 
The Winchesters are 115g, that's what is says on the box + the LeBaron catalogue (where I bought them).

I just re-measured the Winchester bullet(s) and they may squeeze into the 2.9 cm overall length... but definitely not less!

:confused:

(now I'm really concerned about using the factory stuff, lol... at $16.45 + tax/50 rounds, it would really suck if the ammo was defective)
 
I remember when I started reloading, I was confused by this as well. The book I had indicated an OverAll Length should be 1.1 in for 115 gr FMJ, but the factory loads I had (which had always worked, Winchester) were about 1.15, which is quite a difference (as you've noticed). I tried loading to 1.15, but it quickly became apparent that the bullet wasn't seating deaply enough in the casing. I don't know how winchester gets away with it, but through talking with many experienced reloaders, I've come to learn that the best OAL is anywhere between 1.1 and 1.115 in. It also kind of depends on how pointy your rounds are, certain rounds are more rounded (more weight is up front so less "tail" area to the round) and they should be seated a little more deaply I think. Pointier rounds can be a little longer (1.115). Anywhere between those numbers won't damage your pistol and should fire fine. What might happen if you bullet isn't seated deaply enough is that there won't be as much pressure behind the round.
 
762mm said:
The Winchesters are 115g, that's what is says on the box + the LeBaron catalogue (where I bought them).

I just re-measured the Winchester bullet(s) and they may squeeze into the 2.9 cm overall length... but definitely not less!

:confused:

(now I'm really concerned about using the factory stuff, lol... at $16.45 + tax/50 rounds, it would really suck if the ammo was defective)
Click to expand...

Don't be, it sounds like your using a rule to measure the OAL, when you use a precise caliper, I'm sure they'll fall within spec.
 
Contondant said:
I remember when I started reloading, I was confused by this as well. The book I had indicated an OverAll Length should be 1.1 in for 115 gr FMJ, but the factory loads I had (which had always worked, Winchester) were about 1.15, which is quite a difference (as you've noticed). I tried loading to 1.15, but it quickly became apparent that the bullet wasn't seating deaply enough in the casing. I don't know how winchester gets away with it, but through talking with many experienced reloaders, I've come to learn that the best OAL is anywhere between 1.1 and 1.115 in. It also kind of depends on how pointy your rounds are, certain rounds are more rounded (more weight is up front so less "tail" area to the round) and they should be seated a little more deaply I think. Pointier rounds can be a little longer (1.115). Anywhere between those numbers won't damage your pistol and should fire fine. What might happen if you bullet isn't seated deaply enough is that there won't be as much pressure behind the round.
Click to expand...

Perfect,t hank-you very much... You've just solved two things for me: the Winchester ammo dilemma AND have given me some insight on reloading (my LEE 50th anniversary press kit has actually been shipped from Cabela's this morning, lol :D)

Allright, so I guess I won't have to wear my Kevlar-reinforced LEO gloves to the range after all, lol! ;)

Onagoth said:
Don't be, it sounds like your using a rule to measure the OAL, when you use a precise caliper, I'm sure they'll fall within spec.
Click to expand...

Yup, exactly.. I will get a nice electronic caliper once I get my reloading kit... and manage to find some 9mm & .38 spl dies somewhere (EE, maybe?). :p
 
Last edited:
The 124 gr FMJ has a max OAL of 1.169, if yours are at 2.7 cm, then they are getting pretty short, but not unheard of. Again though, if your using a ruler, it won't give accurate measurements of OAL.
 
762mm said:
Yup, exactly.. I will get a nice electronic caliper once I get my reloading kit... and manage to find some 9mm & .38 spl dies somewhere (EE, maybe?). :p
Click to expand...

Too bad this didn't come up earlier, CDN tire just had a sale on digital calipers for $15.99 or something like that last weekend. :)
 
Onagoth said:
The 124 gr FMJ has a max OAL of 1.169, if yours are at 2.7 cm, then they are getting pretty short, but not unheard of. Again though, if your using a ruler, it won't give accurate measurements of OAL.
Click to expand...

Thanks... I hear ya. The caliper is definitely on the 'to buy' list now. Then it's gonna be a good time to start an ammo wholesale distribution center just to pay all the stuff off, lol! :p

But that's ok... spending $ is a part of the agreement I made with myself when I got into the hobby.

Onagoth said:
Too bad this didn't come up earlier, CDN tire just had a sale on digital calipers for $15.99 or something like that last weekend. :)
Click to expand...

I'll go and see tommorow... if it was last week-end, then the sale must still be on. Thanks again!
 
762mm said:
Thanks... I hear ya. The caliper is definitely on the 'to buy' list now. Then it's gonna be a good time to start an ammo wholesale distribution center just to pay all the stuff off, lol! :p

But that's ok... spending $ is a part of the agreement I made with myself when I got into the hobby.
Click to expand...

If you shoot lots, it pays itself off in no time, but don't underestimate the amount of $$$ required for accessories.

When I first started I thought I would get a kit and a caliper and some very small other things and get at it.

I quickly learned that a tumbler is in order, along with a better deburring tool, an electronic scale, etc etc. But, its all worth it to me. :)
 
Looks like the reloads are 124??? I just ran into this last week, I checked and made the oal same as factory 115 gr. 7 of 10 would not chamber cause the bullet shape is diffrent think it is called the ogive? in other words the taper of the bullet is farther up the projectile so it has to be seated deeper in the brass
 
762mm said:
Yup, exactly.. I will get a nice electronic caliper once I get my reloading kit... and manage to find some 9mm & .38 spl dies somewhere (EE, maybe?). :p
Click to expand...

No prob. And 9mm dies are hard to find. In fact, 9mm ANYTHING is hard to find at this point in time.
 
762mm said:
Thanks... I hear ya. The caliper is definitely on the 'to buy' list now. Then it's gonna be a good time to start an ammo wholesale distribution center just to pay all the stuff off, lol! :p

But that's ok... spending $ is a part of the agreement I made with myself when I got into the hobby.

I'll go and see tommorow... if it was last week-end, then the sale must still be on. Thanks again!
Click to expand...

The digital calliper is on sale at CTC until this Thursday or Friday, depending on what part of the country you live in.
 
Before you start reloading I would strongly suggest your get a book or two on the subject and start reading. Best you have some idea what you are about to do before you start.

Take Care

Bob
 
Curious question for you... The casing wall on the factory rounds look straight but the reloads appear to be smaller ID below where the bullet is seated (see pic in 1st post). Is this normal in reloads, or is the pic fooling me?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom