Measuring COL with hollowpoints

[rlewpolar]

Have always reloaded round nose bullets for plinking only in my handguns and now interested in working up some loads for home defense.

How does one deal with COL when using a hollow point or flat nosed bullet? Do you just seat it at your normal COL?

For example, I seat my 45ACP bullets at 1.25". If I use a hollow point, do I also seat it at 1.25 or do I somehow compensate for the shortened bullet length? Seems that seating a hollow point (or flat point) at the same COL as the round nose would really lessen the pressure inside the case.

Any tips? Thanks.


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[9mmepiphany]

Measure and compare the OAL of your bullets.

If the HP is shorter than the RN, shorten the OAL of the loaded cartridge by that difference...if you want to maintain consistent internal volume in the case

[bsumoba]

I use Speer hollow point bullets. What I did was buy some factory ammo that uses the same bullet, measure that OAL, then use that OAL. I then work loads with that OAL and choose the best load that gives me the accuracy and speed I want.

[rlewpolar]

I use Speer hollow point bullets. What I did was buy some factory ammo that uses the same bullet, measure that OAL, then use that OAL. I then work loads with that OAL and choose the best load that gives me the accuracy and speed I want.

Good idea, thanks!


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['ol shooter]

What I do is leave the seater in the same place as I use for the same weight RN, feed fine since ogive is in same spot.

[hermosabeach]

The new speer book lists COL by projectile/ load-
well they list the COL for the loads listed...

http://www.speer-bullets.com/pdf/327_Federal_100gr3990_DataFile_Final.pdf

[Bill Steele]

Have always reloaded round nose bullets for plinking only in my handguns and now interested in working up some loads for home defense.

How does one deal with COL when using a hollow point or flat nosed bullet? Do you just seat it at your normal COL?

For example, I seat my 45ACP bullets at 1.25". If I use a hollow point, do I also seat it at 1.25 or do I somehow compensate for the shortened bullet length? Seems that seating a hollow point (or flat point) at the same COL as the round nose would really lessen the pressure inside the case.

Any tips? Thanks.


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45 Auto is a big case, so OAL is less critical than smaller cases. Just use the same OAL as you did for the same weight RN (and the same powder and charge) and you will be fine.

If you want to step on the gas and run some +P loads with those HP, best to use the book data for those particular bullets. It is a very forgiving caliber.