40 S&W OAL

[Kahyne]

I was just reloading 50 rounds of 40 s&w and noticed that when I would seat the bullet, the OAL would drop under 1.120. I've had about 5 that were 1.112-1.118. Should I just pull them, with the bullet puller, enough where I can put it through the die again to sit it within spec?

Here is what I am using...165 gr Rainier Lead Safe Bullets, 4.5 gr of Titegroup. Hodgdon site says OAL = 1.125. I've read some people were at 1.120 as their OAL and I'm trying to keep it between 1.120-1.125.

Thanks in advance everyone!

[joelogic]

You are belling too much if the bullets falls in too deep.

Best not to go below the Min OAL. Try again.

[J-cat]

OAL variance is likely due to bullet nose inconsistency.

I prefer to load 4grs of TG and seat to 1.150". Get much better accuracy than with your load. It is reliable in a stock Glock.

[Raralith]

As long as it isn't near a max powder load, it's fine for plinking ammo.

[Solus]

OAL variance is likely due to bullet nose inconsistency.

I prefer to load 4grs of TG and seat to 1.150". Get much better accuracy than with your load. It is reliable in a stock Glock.

This oal only works if it feeds in your magazine and barrel reliably. In my handgun i cant load over 1.132. Anything longer wont fill my magazine and wont feed all of them. I would get maybe 7-8 shells in the mag in a 10rd mag

[C3nt3rMa55]

This oal only works if it feeds in your magazine and barrel reliably. In my handgun i cant load over 1.132. Anything longer wont fill my magazine and wont feed all of them. I would get maybe 7-8 shells in the mag in a 10rd mag

Bullet size variation.

I've had this happen with hornady 55gr fmjbt from batch to batch

[Kahyne]

You are belling too much if the bullets falls in too deep.

Best not to go below the Min OAL. Try again.

I'll try to decrease the bellowing and hopefully that will do it.

OAL variance is likely due to bullet nose inconsistency.

I prefer to load 4grs of TG and seat to 1.150". Get much better accuracy than with your load. It is reliable in a stock Glock.

I'll give this recipe a go with my next 50 rds. with the modified bellowing.

Is it me or do some brass seat the bullet much easier than others?

[J-cat]

It's the brass. Some is thinner.

[Paperchasin]

I've been loading .40S&W for the last 6 months now and my OAL has always fluctuated as well. As long as you stay within spec and it feeds in your gun, I say its not a big deal.

[Pauliedad]

I'm using 1.135 for all my loads so I don't have to tweak the seating die then I'm working up load to velocity/feel I want. I found an OAL that functioned well for convenience.

[swruger]

I have been loading .40s with 4.8 to 5.1 grains of unique, 175 grain LSWC, seating at approximately 1.130. Shooting out of Ruger SR40 and Walther P99.

4.8 grains tends to be the most accurate load; When set at 1.135, OCL, Ruger was having trouble with failure to feed about 1 out of every 20. That was eliminated when OCL was reduced to 1.130.

Walther never hickuped.

Just an FYI