Minimum OAL difference between FMJ and JHP?

[Juicymeat]

I'm just about to start reloading my first set of cartridges, and I'm stumped on the OAL data in my reloading manual. I have the Lee Modern Reloading manual, and it gives data for jacketed ammo, but does not specify if the data is for FMJ, or JHP. Does it matter how far I seat either bullet as long as it hits the minimum OAL assuming I was aiming for that measurement? I'm pretty sure that's wrong because logically the FMJ bullet would be longer than the JHP and if I loaded the FMJ to the same length as the JHP bullet, the FMJ load would be at a greater pressure. I've looked through the book and couldn't find anything on this so I was hoping my fellow calgunnners would know. Any .45 ACP load data you guys personally found to work very well is also appreciated.

I am loading .45 ACP using a 230 JHP Montana Gold bullet, CCI large primers, and WIN 231, this is the data my manual gives me for jacketed ammo.

Start gr: 4.5 for 765 FPS
Max gr: 5.1 for 870 FPS
Minimum OAL of 1.190"

[Spyduh]

What type of gun are you using?

I have 3 books. Lee, Speer and Lyman. They are all different. It's a real pain to figure out which is which.

You should also check http://data.hodgdon.com/ for an online version of loads.

[Fjold]

The difference in pressure between FMJs and HPs of the same weight due to the couple of thousandths of an inch difference will be miniscule in comparison to the difference in pressures caused by the variations in the bullet weights, case capacities and powder charges of individual cartridges.

[Jonathan Doe]

I just load my pistol rounds to fit the magazine. Plinking rifle rounds with FMJ are also loaded to magazine length. Long range precision rifle rounds are loaded roughly .005"-.010" from the rifling and it works fine for me.

[Juicymeat]

What type of gun are you using?

I have 3 books. Lee, Speer and Lyman. They are all different. It's a real pain to figure out which is which.

You should also check http://data.hodgdon.com/ for an online version of loads.

The gun is a 1911 full sized 5" barrel. Thanks for the site, I checked it out but they only give the FMJ data for 230 gr. bullets.

The difference in pressure between FMJs and HPs of the same weight due to the couple of thousandths of an inch difference will be miniscule in comparison to the difference in pressures caused by the variations in the bullet weights, case capacities and powder charges of individual cartridges.

So basically I shouldn't worry too much about it and just load it to the specified minimum OAL? I thought that FMJ was quite a bit longer than a couple thousandths of an inch, so if I loaded the FMJ to the same OAL as a JHP loading, wouldn't the FMJ load be at a greater pressure than the JHP, or am I missing something here?

[Spyduh]

The gun is a 1911 full sized 5" barrel. Thanks for the site, I checked it out but they only give the FMJ data for 230 gr. bullets.



So basically I shouldn't worry too much about it and just load it to the specified minimum OAL? I thought that FMJ was quite a bit longer than a couple thousandths of an inch, so if I loaded the FMJ to the same OAL as a JHP loading, wouldn't the FMJ load be at a greater pressure than the JHP, or am I missing something here?

Don't exceed 1.2650" and don't go under the min length listed.
I would go for 1.250 - 1.260 COL. YMMV.

Experiment with a few before making thousands! 1911's feed differently. Try out what works for your gun.

I load my 200gr LSWC to 1.250. I shoot 4.25" and 5" 1911's.

I have friends that load 230gr FMJ to 1.2650 shooting glocks and 1911s.

More importantly than OAL is not exceeding max powder! Start with a light pow load and work your way up. If there's only MAX data listed, MINUS 10% and start from there!

[Juicymeat]

Thanks a lot for your info I'll do a bit of testing and looking around. I got a recipe off a friend that I'll try along with yours. 5 gr of W231 with a 230gr JHP bullet and OAL of 1.265" like you recommended.