Too short?

S

shootnprep

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Ontario
Is it possible to seat a bullet too deeply? We're reloading Tokarev 7.62x25. We are using .32 caliber bullets we cast. When we seat the bullets so they are just short of engaging the rifling the edge of the case is on the top edge of the top lube groove. Is there a limit to how deep we can seat that bullet? I'm thinking we need to seat it 0.020-0.030" deeper. The shape of the projectiles is completely different than the surplus ammunition changing the overall length significantly from 1.340" to 1.260". I just don't want to create a bad situation so I though I'd ask here first before going down to 1.230".

Thanks
 
Forget to the lands for a pistol. 1.230" is too short for any bullet weight though.
OAL depends on the bullet weight. With an 85 1.355" is the OAL. 1.345" with a 115. None are under 1.33" on Handloads.com.
A .32 calibre bullet is likely too big too. Uses a .310" bullet.
 
sunray said:
Forget to the lands for a pistol. 1.230" is too short for any bullet weight though.
OAL depends on the bullet weight. With an 85 1.355" is the OAL. 1.345" with a 115. None are under 1.33" on Handloads.com.
A .32 calibre bullet is likely too big too. Uses a .310" bullet.
Click to expand...

Slugged the barrel at .311, we are using a 0.311x0.510 cast lead bullet. The surplus 7.62x25 bullet is 0.308x0.646. If I were to seat the bottom of the bullet to the same depth I would get an OAL of 1.360 - 0.136 = 1.224.

I know that 1.33 is too long the bullets get stuck in the barrel and the gun won't come into battery.

Can you provide a link to the reloading information?

Thanks
 
When you seat deeper you need to back off the powder charge if running anywhere close to a max load. What WAS a mid power load can easily become a max load when there isn't the proper amount of volume and if you alter the volume by a significant amount. And on short handgun cases .02 is a significant amount.

Your lengths stated should be fine though. My Lyman book lists the max OAL as 1.381. And your cast bullet lengths are both well below that.

If the bullet has a cannelure groove it's wise to seat so the rim is in that groove instead of trying to play with different seating depths.
 
BCRider said:
When you seat deeper you need to back off the powder charge if running anywhere close to a max load. What WAS a mid power load can easily become a max load when there isn't the proper amount of volume and if you alter the volume by a significant amount. And on short handgun cases .02 is a significant amount.

Your lengths stated should be fine though. My Lyman book lists the max OAL as 1.381. And your cast bullet lengths are both well below that.

If the bullet has a cannelure groove it's wise to seat so the rim is in that groove instead of trying to play with different seating depths.
Click to expand...

Thanks, This process started with an attempt to make the Tokarev more manageable for my wife so we are nowhere near the upper limits.
 
You'll be fine then as long as the ramps like the shape of the bullets then. You may also need to go to a softer recoil spring or it may end up cycling inconsistently and stove piping the empties. Watch for the telltale signs of weak ejection and/or not wanting to lock back on the last round consistently. Either or both of these indicates that you're on the ragged edge and that stovepipe jams are not far off.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom