Case Overal Length

[Ryvax]

How precise do you have to be when reloading pistol cartridges?

For example, here is my load data:

125 GR. HDY XTP Hodgdon Titegroup .357" C.O.L 1.455" 5.0gr 1069FPS 18,700 CUP

Most of my rounds are 1.455, but I have a few coming out at 1.453, 1.451, 1.452 and so on. Just wondering if a few thou make that big of a difference in pressures.

 

[stubblejumper]

COL stands for cartridge overall length. A difference of .002" or .003" in cartridge overall length,is not going to cause pressure issues.

 

[Ryvax]

Thanks! Just wanted to be sure. And thanks for the definition as well. I was just guessing.

 

[OldDude]

The COL also takes into consideration variations in bullet length, which could explain what you're seeing.

I wouldn't worry about the COL length variation unless it was 0.030 for a pistol / handgun cartridge.