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OAL question

blueskiesblueskies Member Posts: 95 ✭✭
edited April 2009 in Perry Shooter Competition Shooting and Reloading Forum
I have a lot of confusion in determining what the OAL should be without having a specific recipe and hope you can help. I am reloading 40 S&W with Power Pistol and Berry's bullets (copper plated). Berry's does not have reloading information. Lyman 3rd Ed of Pistol & Revolver Handbook states the OAL should be 1.135". From my understanding, this is the maximum length the ammo should be. The bullet weight and type depicts the OAL as outlined in the handbook. Doesn't the powder area (length from the web and base of the bullet) need to remain the same using different bullet types and then the powder charge is adjusted per bullet weight and type?

As an example of determining the OAL. Lyman's gives 135gr jacketed HP's OAL at 1.085". Using Beery's 135gr RS, should I use 1.085" or work down from 1.135"?

Thank you!
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Comments

  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello the 40 is a high pressure low volume case so be VERY CAREFUL with your loads . You are correct in the fact that with the same powder charge the pressure will go up if the bullet is seated deeper. some brands of powder and some brands of bullet WILL NOT PUBLISH load data for the 40 S&W for this reason.
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  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You need to remember that HP bullets are shorter most of the time.
    Load the Berry's bullets the same OAL as a lead 135gr. as they are just copper coated.
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  • HandLoadHandLoad Member Posts: 15,998 ✭
    edited November -1
    Berry's bullets are most like unto lead bullets. Find a similar lead bullet, and start with a mid load. Put the round at longest OAL that reliably feeds. Longer rounds have less room to move within the gun in recoil, and stay ready to feed better. Hot it up till you get it where you like it, or you start seeing signs of pressure. If you see signs of pressure, back it off a bit. Leave it there. Longer rounds have to have more go wrong to make overpressure. Shorter rounds are more easy to get too hot.

    If you late decide to change to a shorter length, then start over with the load.

    That is how I do it here. Your mileage might vary.
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  • blueskiesblueskies Member Posts: 95 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Great answers - thank you, but now you have concerned me. I have loaded and shot over 100 rnds of the following load: Berry's 135gr, Power Pistol 7.5 gr to OAL 1.135". This was based on 135gr JHP, Power Pistol 7.3 - 8.3 gr with OAL 1.085" (Lyman's Handbook). Closest loading data I have for this lead load is: 150gr, Power Pistol 6.3 - 7.0 gr with OAL of 1.090". I just looked at the brass/primer and I didn't see any difference between this and factory loads (Winchester target). Also shooting the factory loads side by side, I didn't notice much recoil difference. Would you recommend pulling the remaining that I have loaded and recharge w/ ~6.5gr?
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