If the overall length specified for a specific load is 1.125, what would be the tolerance in thousandths of an inch? I have read plus or minus .005" of the target value is fine. Is this accurate? I reject at .002 and measure every load. Am I wasting time? All the loads are within .005" and I have done thousands.
Smith and wesson .40 cal question
- Thread starter Angelbc
- Start date
The OAL specified was for THEIR pistol.
The max length for your pistol is determined by the magazine and chamber. One of those two factors will engage the bullet if it is out too far.
The minimum distance is the shoulder of the bullet. If you seat the bullet too deep, the brass mouth of the case won't be supported by the bullet.
There is some variation in OAL when making ammo. You want a setting that makes sure that 100% of your rounds do not bind in the magazine or engage the rifling. I suggest you take the barrel out of your pistol, so you can use it as a gauge, and load ammo longer and longer until you get the bullets to engage the rifling. Note this distance for that make/weight of bullet, and make sure your OAL is at least 10 thou less, to give you some fudge factor.
The max length for your pistol is determined by the magazine and chamber. One of those two factors will engage the bullet if it is out too far.
The minimum distance is the shoulder of the bullet. If you seat the bullet too deep, the brass mouth of the case won't be supported by the bullet.
There is some variation in OAL when making ammo. You want a setting that makes sure that 100% of your rounds do not bind in the magazine or engage the rifling. I suggest you take the barrel out of your pistol, so you can use it as a gauge, and load ammo longer and longer until you get the bullets to engage the rifling. Note this distance for that make/weight of bullet, and make sure your OAL is at least 10 thou less, to give you some fudge factor.
Your wasting time. .002" is nothing in the mass production, high volume shooting.
Now if you were loading nuclear high powered loads, or some sort of precision shooting then yes, but n your case +/- .005 is meaningless. No need to measure each one. Set your dies, measure the first few, check the odd one as you go. I the check every one every 15-20 or so, and I'm on the verge of nuclear in my 10mm.
Now if you were loading nuclear high powered loads, or some sort of precision shooting then yes, but n your case +/- .005 is meaningless. No need to measure each one. Set your dies, measure the first few, check the odd one as you go. I the check every one every 15-20 or so, and I'm on the verge of nuclear in my 10mm.
wasting time measuring every load? yes.
With loading pistol rounds the things I think are most important are the charge weight being consistent, primers seated deep enough and the crimp is sufficient that the rounds chamber reliably. Rejecting at .002 is crazy.
double check charge if you have adjusted something or changed powder, and make a dummy or 2 just to make sure they will chamber correctly. After that, any measuring or checking is just for your own piece of mind, and not needed.
