is this typical?

[hairtumor]

I'm ready to start reloading. I have all my equipment and components (I think). Just for fun I was measuring OAL of a box of Winchester 9mm FMJ 115gr 100 round value pack. Shortest was 1.149, and the longest was 1.163. Is that normal and if so are my reloads going to have the same variance in OAL? Just want to make sure I get it right.

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

I've never measured factory ammo (haven't bought any in years, except 22 LR) but .014 is not a lot of variance to me, particularly in factory loaded ammo. I would be surprised if the ammo you reload doesn't have a similar variance, depending on your equipment.

[Bill Steele]

The variance you are measuring is likely all in the meplat, not in where the bases sit in the case (the important dimension).

Bullets can have widely different OAL's and yet have pretty consistent weight and dimensions from the base to the ogive (where all the weight is). If you measured them with a bullet comparator (measuring from base to ogive) you would likely see a much more uniform dimension.

Normal.

[stilly]

I think that if you have a consistant motion and follow-through and keep speed a constant that once you set your limit your variance will be very small. I set my .45 acp to 1.250 and most of them were around 1.248-1.253 but really, MOST of them were around 1.249. That seemed to be the one thing that did not vary much and this was using a Lee Classic Cast Turret.

[HighLander51]

I've measured about a +/- .003". Depends on how hard you push down.

[hairtumor]

Good info, thanks.