Minimum OAL question

caperbound

caperbound

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I'm very much new at reloading and as with most I have a question :) In a couple more days I will probably have another one.

Right now I'm using Unique powder, 158g lead RN and loading 38spl.

The Alliant website lists a LSWC but the Lee 2nd Ed book has 158 RN.

According to Lee's book the Min OAL is 1.42 with 4 grains of powder, max load 4.3 grains 16000psi

Using a lee autodisk I'm getting 3.9-4.0 grains in the brass (confirmed on scale) and OAL 1.427-1.43. I had one deviation and it was 1.40.

Question: the finished round at 1.40...is it garbage or borderline ok to fire off? If I fire it off it will be in a Ruger Blackhawk 357. It's only one cartridge so no big deal if I turf it but if it is somewhat safe to fire off I may do that.

Thanks
 
I shoot it.

My understanding is the shorter the OAL the higher the pressure. If it was shorter than what is listed in the manual with a max charge you might have problems. From what I understand there is always a bit of a saftey factor when they list loads. Of course I don't think you will find many people that would recommend exceeding loading spec's.

THT's
 
caperbound said:
I'm very much new at reloading and as with most I have a question :) In a couple more days I will probably have another one.

Right now I'm using Unique powder, 158g lead RN and loading 38spl.

The Alliant website lists a LSWC but the Lee 2nd Ed book has 158 RN.

According to Lee's book the Min OAL is 1.42 with 4 grains of powder, max load 4.3 grains 16000psi

Using a lee autodisk I'm getting 3.9-4.0 grains in the brass (confirmed on scale) and OAL 1.427-1.43. I had one deviation and it was 1.40.

Question: the finished round at 1.40...is it garbage or borderline ok to fire off? If I fire it off it will be in a Ruger Blackhawk 357. It's only one cartridge so no big deal if I turf it but if it is somewhat safe to fire off I may do that.

Thanks
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In theory, you should load for max OAL that your firearm's barrel allows, less maybe 20thou to account for variance. But many people who compete simply experiment to find the best OAL for their firearm - and it isn't always the max.

AFAIK you won't notice the difference in pressure between 1.40 and 1.42", it should be safe to fire.
 
Hey Brad, if you're shooting tomorrow I'll bring a piece of test brass if you bring one of the bullets you are using, we can test your max length. I do this for all my different bullets, mainly for seating my rifle 2 thou off the lands but it will work for 38 too.
 
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