Bullet effects on OAL of cartridge

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PlaidSon

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I've been researching reloading for quite a while and am getting ready to set up to reload for my 9mm. The problem I have is any recipes I find don't seem to include the bullets available to me. I do have 124gr. FP available, and a recipe for 124gr. FMJ round nose. The big question is how do you determine the OAL of a cartridge if the bullet you plan to use is not exactly defined in your reloading manual? My main concern is avoiding compressed charges or overly loose powder charges by seating bullets too deeply.

Is it adequate to charge a case, measure case rim to top of powder, subtract this number from the measured bullet length, and add this to the case length?
 
That was very informative. Thanks a lot. So lets say I followed Wobbly's directions and found my max OAL, and made 5-10 rounds to try using X powder and 5-10 rounds using Y powder.

X powder is denser and the bullet seemed to seat right on top of it, potentially compressing it, no rattle of powder can be heard by shaking it.
y powder is less dense and there is noticeable room between powder and bullet, you can hear it shaking around inside.

Are either of these situations going to cause problems? I foresee over pressure and/or squib loads happening. In an ideal situation I guess you find another powder or use y powder and seat the bullet to a more desirable depth if it's an issue. The thing is I've been sourcing components and it looks a lot like I might just have to take what I can get until this shortage stops.
 
compressed powder isn't always an issue, just depends on the powder. trailboss does funny things when compressed to the point it breaks the little donuts of powder, others like blackpowder should be compressed.

as long as you use a close bullet weight for load data (eg you have 120gr bullets, so use 124gr load data) you can always work up a load.
 
PlaidSon

When your starting out with a new firearm grab a bunch of manuals and average the starting load. Then work up from the start load and get to know your firearm as you increase the load.

Nothing in the manuals is written in stone because each firearm is different along with the components used. As an example I have a Savage .223 rifle that has a "LONGER" throat that either of my AR15 rifles and this bolt action can be loaded hotter than the manuals and still be at a safe chamber pressure.
 
Compressed powder in my rifles works great .
Start out light and work up
go to reloaders nest and find your exact powder and bullet
start light and work up
 
PlaidSon said:
I've been researching reloading for quite a while and am getting ready to set up to reload for my 9mm. The problem I have is any recipes I find don't seem to include the bullets available to me. I do have 124gr. FP available, and a recipe for 124gr. FMJ round nose. The big question is how do you determine the OAL of a cartridge if the bullet you plan to use is not exactly defined in your reloading manual? My main concern is avoiding compressed charges or overly loose powder charges by seating bullets too deeply.

Is it adequate to charge a case, measure case rim to top of powder, subtract this number from the measured bullet length, and add this to the case length?
Click to expand...

Seat the bullet so it fits the mag and functions in the gun. Everything else is pointless. I wholly ignore published OAL's because they are specific to one bullet and gun.

Not sure why you'd be concerned about compressed loads as that is unlikely to occur with 9mm. As long as you use published loads you should also not run into issue with too little powder in the case.


PlaidSon said:
X powder is denser and the bullet seemed to seat right on top of it, potentially compressing it, no rattle of powder can be heard by shaking it.
y powder is less dense and there is noticeable room between powder and bullet, you can hear it shaking around inside.

Are either of these situations going to cause problems? I foresee over pressure and/or squib loads happening. In an ideal situation I guess you find another powder or use y powder and seat the bullet to a more desirable depth if it's an issue. The thing is I've been sourcing components and it looks a lot like I might just have to take what I can get until this shortage stops.
Click to expand...

You are greatly overthinking the whole thing. Forget any issues with compressed powders or loose powders. Nobody except you is concerned about that kind of stuff and it makes not a whit of difference. Use a published load and seat the bullets to work in your gun and mag. Forget all else.
 
Like Suputin says, you're over thinking the whole thing. Just use the max OAL given in your manual and you'll be fine. You load for the bullet weight, not its shape or who made it.
 
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