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Posted: 3/12/2014 5:50:36 AM EDT
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What is an acceptable variation in OAL for you in handgun rounds?
I see questions related to OAL frequently but do not recall many about acceptable variation in OAL. I try to stay under .005 for handgun rounds on my LNL AP or Rock Chucker. In reality I find it is usually the vast majority in a .005 spread with a few widening it to a .008 spread (like 5 in 200). Thoughts? |
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I try to keep mine as close to my target length as possible.
.005, even .010 is OK for pistol and rifle. Usually the variation comes from the tip of the bullet not being the same from one to the other. If you measure from the ogive you'll find much less variation from round to round. |
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http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/420034_OAL_inconsistancies_550b_specific_or_progressive_specfic_.html Similar question in this thread. |
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Since I don't seat my bullets right to the ragged edge of OAL or function, I don't even bother measuring them. Haven't had one fail to feed or function, and they all ring the 4" disc @ 25 yards just fine.
The 0.008" that you mention shouldn't be significant unless, like I inferred, you're right on the ragged edge anyway. |
| My concern about handgun rounds is when I am loading a high pressure round with powder like 296. Loading to a shorter OAL can really spike pressures. 40 S&W is particularly susceptible to this with heavy bullets. I had rather them run a little long than too short. 44 Mag mistakes in reloading are legendary. Google them. |
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Quoted:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/420034_OAL_inconsistancies_550b_specific_or_progressive_specfic_.html Similar question in this thread. Yes that spurred this question. In that thread he describes AOL variation due to an uneven load on the shell plate. I am just talking about acceptable variations in general. |
I can be very detailed. I run every round (handgun and semi-auto rifle) through a gauge and measure every round for OAL and crimp. I might have a problem.
I would love to know how much variation impacts accuracy, how much variation impact pressure, how much variation impacts feeding, etc. However I understand different powders, bullets, guns, primers, and atmospheric conditions make hard and fast general AOL rules impossible. I have been loading for a long time so I understand and can verify pretty much everything said so far. I am just curious what level of variation people tolerate. |
| As stated, measuring from the Ogive will give you less variation than from the tip.. It's kind of annoying since most people don't measure from the Ogive (including myself). I recently bought one of those brownell's dice looking things that help you measure from Ogive.. Finding much tighter rounds but still confusing to setup initial rounds since books tell you OAL... oy... |
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